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 connection.

Together, they explore:

• Why Francophone Africa must be part of French language education
• How to move beyond “celebratory multiculturalism” to truthful, anti-oppressive curriculum
• Real stories from Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) —cacao plantations, marketplace conversations, and moments of cultural connection
• The classroom resources being developed (coming soon, free through AATF)
• How travel, language, and vulnerability shape us as educators and global citizens

You’ll hear how Jessica’s visit to a cacao plantation transformed her teaching, how Jeff’s unexpected conversations challenged stereotypes, how Steve facilitated constant pivots on the ground, and how Megan is guiding AATF’s commitment to centering La Francophonie in meaningful, accurate ways.

✨ This is an episode for teachers, curriculum developers, language advocates, and anyone who believes in the power of authentic cultural learning.

About the Guests

Steve Sacco – Professor emeritus of French & Italian (San Diego State University), consultant, and co-leader of the Côte d’Ivoire project.
Megan Diercks – Executive Director, American Association of Teachers of French (AATF).
Jessica Ayer – French teacher, doctoral student in curriculum & instruction, focused on the cacao industry and post-colonial realities.
Jeff Loughary – French professor, teacher educator, and PhD candidate focusing on linguistic human rights and language variation.

Key Themes

• Centering Francophone (the French-speaking world) Africa in French teaching
• Authenticity in curriculum development
• Storytelling as a bridge between cultures
• The power of language vulnerability (like using Bambara in the market!)
• How travel transforms educators
• The relationship between colonial history and modern cultural identity

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Contact Norah :
[email protected]

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!

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FluencyConsultingLLC
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/NorahLulicJones
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fluency-norah-jones

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 shares her ongoing journey: the challenges of expressing herself, the patience required to rebuild identity through language, and the surprising strength found in simply being heard.

Contact Norah :
[email protected]

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/NorahLulicJones
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fluency-norah-jones

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 mountains of Colombia to international leadership roles supporting minority language communities.

His message is rooted in lived experience: language is not just about communication—it’s about connection, identity, and opportunity.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Paul’s early experiences in Tzeltal-speaking communities shaped his career
• Insights from his linguistic and community development work in Colombia
• The founding of SIL LEAD and the global impact of the Bloom book creation software
• Why multilingualism is the global norm—and why honoring it matters in education and policy
• What it means to support language choice, not language loss

Paul has worked in over a dozen countries, trained educators and linguists around the world, and helped launch a platform—Bloom—that now supports book creation in nearly 1,000 languages.

Contact Norah :
[email protected]

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/NorahLulicJones
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fluency-norah-jones

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 tradition of Ambahan—an ancient, rhythmic poetry written in the Hanunuo Mangyan script. This script, still used today, dates back before the 10th century and has withstood centuries of colonization and cultural pressure. What emerges is not just language but a deeply human worldview of connection, respect, and soul.

Episode Highlights

• The poetic and philosophical depth of Ambahan as sung poetry
• Chiara Cox’s rediscovery of her roots and cultural mission
• Lolita’s journey from volunteer to lifelong cultural champion
• Resti’s decades-long study of Ambahan and its symbolic wisdom
• Zosing’s life as a Mangyan and how Ambahan shaped his legal philosophy
• Emily’s enduring work in preserving the Mangyan script and traditions

Contact Norah :
[email protected]

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/NorahLulicJones
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fluency-norah-jones

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 search for Indigenous heritage. She founded Casa Areyto with a mission to ensure that every Taíno descendant knows who they are and where they come from.

This episode dives into Indigenous language revitalization, cultural identity, and the role of education in preserving history. Don’t miss this powerful conversation with Priscilla Colón.

Contact Norah :
[email protected]

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/NorahLulicJones
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fluency-norah-jones

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-activated exhibits and participatory experiences bring words to life.

Contact Norah :
[email protected]

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/NorahLulicJones
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fluency-norah-jones

Contact Norah :
[email protected]

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/NorahLulicJones
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fluency-norah-jones

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 resilience and dedication as she spearheaded the creation of a language cooperative that grew into ABRACE, a thriving cultural association in the Washington DC area. Discover how Ana's passion helped shape a supportive community for language learners, emphasizing the critical role of heritage language in nurturing one's identity amidst new cultural landscapes.

In our heartfelt conversation, Ana reveals the intricate dance of raising children with a strong connection to their roots while navigating the challenges of adolescence. She highlights the profound influence of parental support and community-based schools in fostering a dual sense of belonging. These schools offer more than just language lessons; they are vibrant hubs for cultural celebrations, friendships, and the embracing of multiple cultural identities. We discuss how these cultural ties strengthen, rather than compromise, integration into broader society, providing a comprehensive view of the significance of creating environments where children feel valued and respected.

Ana also sheds light on the ongoing battle to preserve one's language and culture against external pressures. She advocates for educators and parents to seek out and build supportive communities, emphasizing the vital role of the Coalition of Community-Based Heritage Language Schools. As the episode draws to a close, Ana shares her personal aspirations, including writing a book about her family's journey, and leaves a touching message for her sons on the importance of maintaining their heritage amidst new experiences. This episode is a testament to the power of language in shaping cultural identity and fostering a sense of belonging across generations.

Contact Norah :
[email protected]

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/NorahLulicJones
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fluency-norah-jones