Maria shares her own journey as a heritage speaker of Spanish, from being born in Cuba and moving through Spain before arriving in the United States at age 11, to eventually becoming one of the leading voices in heritage language education.

Together, they explore why identity sits at the center of heritage language learning and why educators should focus not only on what learners lack, but on the communication skills, cultural knowledge, pronunciation, listening ability, and lived experiences they already bring into the classroom.

The conversation also tackles the realities of mixed classrooms, where heritage speakers and second-language learners may each feel intimidated by the other's strengths.

Maria explains how AI tools such as ChatGPT may help level the playing field through individualized conversation practice and language support, while also warning that AI can homogenize writing and potentially strip away one of the most important parts of communication: voice.

The episode explores:

• Heritage language identity
• Native, heritage, and second-language learners
• Mixed language classrooms
• Student confidence and insecurity
• AI and language learning
• Preserving student voice
• Language ownership
• Register and code-switching
• Proficiency versus perfection
• Long-term language development
• Communication across cultures

One of Maria's most powerful messages is simple:

Your languages belong to you.

Learners do not need to imitate an idealized native speaker in order to have the right to communicate. Language becomes truly meaningful when it helps people express who they are, connect with others, and understand their place in the world.

Be sure to follow and tag Avant, The Language Proficiency Company on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube!

A PJT Ventures Production

Brandee shares nearly 30 years of experience in language education, including work in dual language immersion, German instruction, curriculum development, assessment, professional learning, and proficiency-based teaching.

Together, they explore why proficiency can serve as a unifying goal across different language programs and why the intermediate stage of language learning deserves more intentional support.

The conversation also dives into:

This episode is especially valuable for world language teachers, multilingual learner educators, dual language immersion teachers, instructional coaches, administrators, and anyone interested in proficiency-based learning.

Be sure to follow and tag Avant, The Language Proficiency Company on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube!

A PJT Ventures Production

Cameron Durr, Destiny Williams, and Kaylin Dalton reflect on how learning Spanish from kindergarten through high school shaped their confidence, academic success, career opportunities, cultural awareness, and global perspective.

Together, they discuss:

This episode offers a powerful reminder that language learning is about far more than speaking another language. It builds empathy, curiosity, confidence, critical thinking, and lifelong opportunities.

Be sure to follow and tag Avant, The Language Proficiency Company on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube!

A PJT Ventures Production

Allen shares how educators can help students develop prompt-writing skills, critical discernment, and responsible AI use while maintaining ownership of their learning.

Topics include:

Whether you're an educator, parent, student, or language learner, this episode offers practical insights into using AI as a learning partner instead of a replacement for human thinking.

Be sure to follow and tag Avant, The Language Proficiency Company on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube!

A PJT Ventures Production

Noemí shares how she uses tools like ChatGPT, NotebookLM, Diffit, Gemini, and Speakology AI to support multilingual learners, create leveled texts, provide comprehensible input, build vocabulary, generate multimodal learning experiences, and help students engage more deeply with language and culture.

The conversation explores how AI can enhance learning without replacing the human experience. Noemí discusses responsible AI use, classroom contracts, student choice, privacy concerns, environmental questions, prompt libraries, portfolio-based assessment, spontaneous speaking, visual literacy, cultural authenticity, and the importance of fact-checking AI-generated content.

This episode is a practical and inspiring conversation for language educators, multilingual learner specialists, reading specialists, instructional coaches, administrators, and anyone interested in the future of AI, multiliteracy, and student-centered learning.

Learn more about Noemí...

LinkedIn

Lo Logramos Consulting 

Be sure to follow and tag Avant, The Language Proficiency Company on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube!

A PJT Ventures Production

With more than 30 years of experience in language education and technology integration, Lauren shares her perspective on how emerging tools, including artificial intelligence, can support language proficiency, multiliteracy, intercultural communication, and student engagement.

Lauren reflects on her early experiences living in Spain, her work as an educator and technology innovator, and how tools have evolved from overhead projectors and early web pages to AI-powered opportunities for personalized speaking practice and real-world communication.

Together, the group explores:

This episode is a must-listen for language educators, instructional coaches, administrators, and anyone interested in the future of language learning, technology, proficiency, and human connection.

Language Teaching with AI

Find Lauren on:

LinkedIn

Facebook

Be sure to follow and tag Avant, The Language Proficiency Company on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube!

A PJT Ventures Production

Together, they discuss the evolution of proficiency-based teaching, the impact of the pandemic on language education, the role of AI and educational technology, and why communication remains at the heart of language learning.

The conversation explores:

Most importantly, Marnina and Liza share why they continue to believe in the power of language education to build connections, foster empathy, and prepare students for an increasingly interconnected world.

Be sure to follow and tag Avant, The Language Proficiency Company on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube!

A PJT Ventures Production

Robyn shares her personal journey growing up Deaf in a hearing family, learning language through visual communication, and becoming an educator and advocate for Deaf learners. Together, the group discusses how ASL challenges traditional assumptions about language and literacy while examining the opportunities and limitations of artificial intelligence in supporting communication and accessibility.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into multilingualism, cultural competency, language acquisition, and the importance of human connection in education and society.

Be sure to follow and tag Avant, The Language Proficiency Company on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube!

A PJT Ventures Production

This conversation explores the future of language learning, multiliteracies, bilingual education, and global communication in an AI-driven world. Dr. Banfi shares her international perspective on how language education has changed over time, from traditional grammar-based instruction to digital learning, gaming, social media, online communities, AI translation tools, and multilingual communication.

The episode also examines English as a global language, the importance of heritage languages, dual language immersion, and how students today communicate across platforms using text, video, emojis, memes, and digital spaces. Dr. Banfi explains why educators must meet students where they are while helping them expand their literacy, communication skills, and cultural understanding.

Listeners will also hear insights on AI in language education, translation tools, language policy, international education, and why learning an additional language helps build empathy, perspective, and human connection.

Be sure to follow and tag Avant, The Language Proficiency Company on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube!

A PJT Ventures Production

This episode also dives into multiliteracies, authentic resources, literacy development, student engagement, teacher mindset shifts, and the role educational systems play in slowing meaningful change. Whether you are a language teacher, school leader, multilingual educator, or someone passionate about literacy and communication, this conversation offers practical insight and powerful perspective on what students truly need to succeed in an AI-driven and globally connected world.

If you care about language proficiency, literacy instruction, multilingual learners, world language education, second language acquisition, or authentic learning practices, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways.

Dawn Samples is the Lead for Instruction at Lingco, where she supports schools and districts in implementing proficiency-driven world language programs grounded in ACTFL standards. At Lingco, she helps design curriculum, professional learning, and AI-supported tools that empower teachers to move from theory to practice—creating engaging, performance-based learning experiences that build real-world language proficiency. Lingco is a comprehensive world language curriculum and primary resource provider and platform that combines authentic resources, integrated performance assessments, and instructional supports to help teachers focus on what learners can do with the language. Visit them at lingco.io! Contact Dawn for more information at [email protected], or on social media (lingco) Facebook,(Dawn) linkedin, (Lingco) instagram. 

Be sure to follow and tag Avant, The Language Proficiency Company on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube!

A PJT Ventures Production