Planting the Roots of Language Learning

In this episode of We Do This Every Day, I’m joined by Kelley Zachary from Philadelphia Virtual Academy (CCIU) and our own Olivia Grugan to talk about something that has brought me so much hope this year, our new Passport to World Languages program.

Passport is simple in design but powerful in impact. It brings short, high-engagement language experiences directly into students’ homerooms with no grades, no assignments, no pressure. Just curiosity.

And what we’re seeing is beautiful.

Students who rarely speak are typing enthusiastically in the chat.Students who struggle with anxiety are engaging in ways that feel safe.

Students are discovering that multilingualism already lives in their own neighborhoods.

This isn’t about rushing kids into proficiency. It’s about planting roots.

We talked about how Passport serves as the first step in a three-year pathway:

* Year 1: Exposure (Passport) — light touch, joyful discovery

* Year 2: Exploration — structured course, multiple languages, still curiosity-driven

* Year 3: Choice — selecting a language to pursue with intention and depth

Kelley shared how students began looking forward to “Language Wednesdays.” Some even came to virtual office hours afterward to proudly share what they had learned.

What struck me most was this: language learning created a space for visibility. Cameras turned on. Mics unmuted. Students talked about accents, and realized accents are beautiful.

We also discussed the courage it takes for schools to offer real choice. It’s much easier to put every student in the same language on the same day. But when institutions decide to personalize pathways, logistics get complicated. And yet, the engagement makes it worth it.

This episode is about partnership. It’s about trust between institutions. It’s about teachers who show up enthusiastic and prepared. And it’s about what happens when we expose students to possibility before we ask them to commit.

If we want students to stick with hard things later, we have to let them fall in love with them first.

And Passport is doing just that.

— Pat

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This blog post was developed using my writing, podcast transcript, and support from AI (ChatGPT by OpenAI) which was reviewed by me, Pat Mulroy, for accuracy, tone, and context.

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