On this fifth episode of the The VIET Podcast we recorded live at the National Resource Center for Asian Languages 10th Anniversary event at Người Việt Daily News. We interviewed the NRCAL Community Literacy Project authors, book award winners, as well as teachers, parents, community members and Westminster School District Board of Trustees President Frances Nguyen. 

As we approach the Ten Year Anniversary of the National Resource Center for Asian Languages, this week's episode of THE VIET Podcast focuses once again on highlighting  one of our favorite initiatives – The Vietnamese Community Literacy Project. This week we shine a spotlight on Madeline Mai Nguyễn, who has been taking weekend Vietnamese language classes since the age of six. Madeline’s story is one of inspiration and dedication. We chat with her about her journey through these language programs, what sparked her interest in learning Vietnamese, and how it has shaped her identity as a Vietnamese American.

The Vietnamese Community Literacy Project is a Vietnamese Book Writing Contest supported by NRCAL. The project aims to address the lack of authentic resources available to support Vietnamese language programs in the U.S. We currently have over 70 children’s books written for children by children. Some of the themes include: community, what does it mean to be Vietnamese Americans, Anti-Asian Hate in America, and this year’s contest focuses on "Asian American Leaders, Heroes, and Inspirational Figures in the Community".  Selected books from the competition are illustrated by the art students and alumni at Cal State Fullerton and published by NRCAL. Recognizing the lack of authentic resources available in Vietnamese, we hope that this project will generate additional resources that can be used in K-12 classrooms across the country. 

This episode focuses on the National Resource Center for Asian Languages, highlighting some of our favorite initiatives – NRCAL- Professional Learning, Weekend  Online Vietnamese Classes, Study Abroad (S. Korea & Japan) & NRCAL’s role in AUHSD Secondary Vietnamese DLI through a conversation with Vy Huyen Hoang. Vy Huyền Hoàng is currently a teacher on special assignment (TOSA) for the Anaheim Union High School District (AUHSD) as a Plurilingual Services Curriculum Specialist. In her role Vy supports English Language Development, world languages, and dual language teachers. In her role she also supports these same teachers in building their capacity to use generative artificial intelligence to provide greater access, equity, success and excellence for our scholars. 

This week's episode focuses on the National Resource Center for Asian Languages (NRCAL), highlighting one of my favorite initiatives – The Vietnamese Community Literacy Project. This week's guest is Evelyn Linh Nguyen. She is one of the published authors of NRCAL Community Literacy project. 

The Vietnamese Community Literacy Project is a Vietnamese Book Writing Contest supported by NRCAL. The project aims to address the lack of authentic resources available to support Vietnamese language programs in the U.S. We currently have over 70 children’s books written for children by children. Some of the themes include: community, what does it mean to be Vietnamese Americans, Anti-Asian Hate in America, and this year’s contest focuses on "Asian American Leaders, Heroes, and Inspirational Figures in the Community." Selected books from the competition are illustrated by the art students and alumni at Cal State Fullerton and published by NRCAL. Recognizing the lack of authentic resources available in Vietnamese, we hope that this project will generate additional resources that can be used in K-12 classrooms across the country. 

Beyond being a NRCAL Community Literacy project author, this week's guest, Evelyn Linh Nguyen, has been an active community member and leader in the Vietnamese community, well known for her singing among other talents. She is multilingual in Vietnamese, Spanish, and English.She is currently a student at Boston University. 

On this first episode of The Voices in Education Today (VIET) Podcast, Dr. Natalie Tran, Dr. Linda Pham and Dr. Renae Bryant introduce themselves and have a discussion about the origin and purpose of THE VIET Podcast.