It's About Language, with Norah Jones

Season 6, Episode 9 of It's About Language features veteran educator Milton Alan Turner in a thoughtful conversation about language, identity, belonging, and the transformative power of human connection. Drawing on more than 40 years of experience teaching French, Spanish, and AP African American Studies, Milton shares how language education shaped his understanding of culture, voice, and com...

In this deeply reflective conversation, Norah sits down with John Tessitore — writer, editor, poet, podcaster, and advocate for the humanities — to explore the relationship between language, creativity, fear, and identity. What begins as a discussion about writing quickly unfolds into a larger conversation about vulnerability and the courage it takes to let others truly see us. John shares how wri...

There’s a noticeable shift happening in language education—and this conversation captures it. Right after Language Advocacy Days, Norah sits down with Joy Peyton to talk about what stood out most. Not the challenges, but the energy. The collaboration. The stories of progress that people are actually seeing in their schools and communities. Joy shares what she heard from educators and students, esp...

What happens when you give students the space to just… speak? At Language Advocacy Days 2026 in Washington, DC, a group of students from across the country did exactly that. No script. No formal panel. Just a circle, a microphone, and a willingness to share what language means in their lives. What came out of it is this episode. You’ll hear from students at every stage—some brand new to advocacy,...

What starts as a simple story about being snowed in turns into something much bigger, as Charlie walks through the early decisions that shaped his career. He shares how he ended up teaching abroad, and how a series of unexpected turns eventually led him to Puerto Rico. Along the way, he talks about what really drives language learning—especially for adults—and why real-life need often matters more...

Dr. Maureen Manning joins Norah Jones for a wide-ranging conversation about language as a life-shaping force—and why the stories we tell about language learning matter as much as the learning itself. From Maureen’s earliest memory of being pulled out of school at age eight for French lessons at the public library, to her work today helping global education organizations communicate with clarity an...

In This Episode In this episode of It’s About Language , Norah Jones interviews James Mattiace . He is an educator, assessment reformer, and lifelong language learner. They discuss what languages reveal, not just about communication. They also explore how people think, learn, and relate to one another. James draws on lived experience across eight countries. He reflects on language as a human syste...

Norah Jones talks with Katy Wheelock , a French educator with 30+ years of classroom experience and the founder of Vive l’Experience , about why language learning is ultimately about connection, not perfection—and how centering Francophone Africa (especially Senegal) transforms teachers, students, and communities. Katy shares her personal path to Senegal, what teacher immersion experiences unlock,...

What happens when a team of passionate French educators travels to Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) to create authentic, lived-experience-based resources for teachers across the U.S.? In this episode, Norah Jones speaks with Steve Sacco , Megan Diercks , Jessica Ayer , and Jeff Loughary about their month-long Fulbright-Hays project and the powerful impact it’s having on curriculum, culture, and connect...

How language, identity, and patience shape our healing and humanity. In this deeply personal episode, Sharon Williford returns to the podcast nearly five years after her first appearance. Then, she was freshly navigating life after a massive stroke that left her with severe aphasia—a loss of language that profoundly impacted how she communicated and how others saw her. Now, years later, Sharon sha...

“People don’t want to abandon who they are in order to have a better future. Language gives them options—and dignity—to be both rooted and reaching.” – Paul Frank In this powerful episode, Norah Jones is joined by Paul Frank, Associate Director for Language Solutions at SIL International. With more than four decades of experience in the field, Paul shares his journey from rural Mexico to the mount...

In this moving and powerful episode of It’s About Language , host Norah Jones welcomes a panel of cultural advocates and storytellers to explore the poetic traditions and philosophy of the Mangyan people of Mindoro, Philippines. From personal stories to academic insights, guests Chiara Cox, Lolita Delgado Fansler, Resti Pitgogo, Zosing Evangelista, and Emily Catapang open the door to a living trad...

In this episode, we welcome Priscilla Colón , a writer, artist, and educator with over 20 years of experience in language programs . She has trained and empowered diverse learners, from government personnel to public school students, shaping the way Indigenous languages are taught and preserved. Casa Areyto: A Mission to Reclaim the Taíno Identity Priscilla’s work is deeply rooted in her own searc...

In this episode of It’s About Language , I sit down with Ann to hear how her love of language led her from working in Beirut and Jerusalem as a translator, to teaching young students, and finally, to founding a first-of-its-kind museum dedicated to words and literacy . We talk about the power of language to build communities, the importance of keeping literacy alive, and how Planet Word’s voice-ac...

Contact Norah : fluencyconsulting@gmail.com Website: https://fluency.consulting Your journey to discover the richness of language starts here. Join us on the website and embark on a learning adventure like never before! Social Media Platforms : Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/FluencyConsultingLLC Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/fluency_consulting/ Twitter : https://twitter.com/NorahLulic...

What if maintaining your heritage language is the key to unlocking a deeper sense of belonging and cultural identity? Join me as I sit down with Ana Lucia Lico, a fervent advocate for heritage language preservation. Ana shares her compelling journey from Brazil to the United States, transitioning from a career in science to becoming an influential figure in education. Her story is one of resilienc...

Curious about how storytelling can transform education and create global citizens? Join us as we chat with Megan Diercks and Steven Sacco, who are on a mission to enrich language curricula through a Fulbright-Hays grant. They share their ambitious plan to take 14 educators to Côte d'Ivoire, immersing them in its vibrant culture. Discover how this initiative will bring the rich, often overlook...

Imagine embarking on a life-altering journey through the Mexican desert as a child, and then finding yourself in a new and unfamiliar country. Gianny Morales takes us through his remarkable story moving from Medellín, Colombia to New Jersey, then back, then over again to the US,  offering profound insights into the resilience required to navigate between cultures and languages. He shares how bilin...

In another place in our conversation, she says, " It's very hard to crystallize the function of language in our life, because everybody uses it. You cannot really conceptualize the function of language. It's only when you learn another language then you become more aware of your own, and what you stand for. " In our conversation, Dr. Wang shares her efforts to develop a holisti...

Season 5 kicks off with Norah Lulich Jones hosting Victor Santos, author of What Makes Us Human. Explore how Santos uses riddle in both words and images to engage and delight children (and adults) with the power of human language. Contact Norah : fluencyconsulting@gmail.com Website: https://fluency.consulting Your journey to discover the richness of language starts here. Join us on the website and...

Join the conversation with language education innovator Noemi Rodriguez, who draws on her own story of nurturing a childhood passion into shaping the future of AI in the classroom. We traverse the landscape where artificial intelligence and human intelligence are not rivals, but partners in crafting enriching learning experiences. Noemi's insights reveal how AI supports the indispensable huma...

Embark on a linguistic journey that promises to redefine your understanding of language proficiency with the guidance of Paul Sandrock, an esteemed language educator. Dive into the heart of what it truly means to speak another language, moving beyond the memorization of vocabulary and grammar to a place where language becomes a vibrant tool for real-world interaction. Paul and I dissect the layers...

Join the conversation with the visionary Brandon Locke, 2024's World Language Supervisor of the Year, and embark on a linguistic journey that spans the icy expanses of Anchorage, Alaska. Unlock the transformative power of language education as we discuss Brandon's instrumental role in nurturing linguistic diversity within a school system that bridges cultures and connects communities on...

Discover a new dimension of leadership where language is the compass guiding us through the maze of human connection. TK Gale, founder of LAMA Leadership, joins us to illuminate the profound influence language has in shaping our realities and its vital role in effective leadership. We'll explore the power of words to transcend cultural barriers and unite diverse teams, diving into how languag...

Welcome to Episode 122 of "It's About Language"! In this episode, we sit down with Gregory Nedved to explore his unusual linguistic journey. Starting as an adult language learner, Gregory's path led him to become an award-winning Chinese specialist, author, language instructor, and an historian of language events and Presidential mono- and multilingualism.  In this conversation...