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 community. From navigating multiple dialects and identities growing up to studying and traveling throughout Morocco, Thailand, Vietnam, and Côte d’Ivoire, he reflects on how language opens doors to deeper understanding and empathy.Milton and host Norah Jones explore why language teachers are uniquely positioned to teach interpersonal communication, the importance of curiosity over judgment, and how language can either liberate or marginalize. They discuss representation in education, the value of embracing different language varieties, and why helping students develop critical thinking and adaptability may be more important than ever in today's rapidly changing world.This episode is a powerful reminder that language learning is about far more than grammar and vocabulary—it is about understanding people, building relationships, and discovering what connects us across cultures and experiences.In this episode, you'll learn:• Why curiosity is essential for meaningful communication• How language influences identity, belonging, and self-expression• What educators can learn from intercultural experiences abroad• Why representation and multiple language varieties matter in the classroom• How AP African American Studies intersects with world language education• Why education should focus on developing wisdom, not just delivering knowledgeWhether you're a language educator, student, advocate, or lifelong learner, this conversation offers valuable insights into the role language plays in shaping how we understand ourselves and others.Contact Norah : [email protected]: https://fluency.consultingYour 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/FluencyConsultingLLCInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/fluency_consulting/Twitter: https://twitter.com/NorahLulicJonesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fluency-norah-jones

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 writing became the way he understands his own thoughts, why words matter in shaping public conversations, and how fear quietly influenced much of his creative life for decades.Together, Norah and John reflect on communication across differences, the role of literature in helping people understand one another, and the ways language can either limit or liberate us. At the center of the episode is a powerful realization: sometimes the very thing we fear exposing is the thing that most deeply connects us to others.Contact Norah : [email protected]: https://fluency.consultingYour 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/FluencyConsultingLLCInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/fluency_consulting/Twitter: https://twitter.com/NorahLulicJonesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fluency-norah-jones

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, especially the growing role of young people who are stepping into multilingual spaces with confidence and purpose. From community-based language schools to new ideas around teaching and learning, this episode highlights how language is becoming more connected to real life—and more collaborative than ever.If you’ve ever wondered where language education is headed, this is a conversation that gives you a clear sense: it’s moving forward, and it’s not slowing down.Contact Norah : [email protected]: https://fluency.consultingYour 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/FluencyConsultingLLCInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/fluency_consulting/Twitter: https://twitter.com/NorahLulicJonesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fluency-norah-jones

Fluency Consulting Episode 69: Resilience is so strong and powerful that you need to hear it & download it. Norah Jones of Fluency Consulting is releasing it again. Agnes Tounkara of the French Heritage Language Program in NYC shares the stories of the power of immigrant youth released through language and educational effort, and resilience.Contact Norah : [email protected]: https://fluency.consultingYour 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/FluencyConsultingLLCInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/fluency_consulting/Twitter: https://twitter.com/NorahLulicJonesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fluency-norah-jones