Bilingual in America

Today's episode features Patrick Werito, Coordinator of Tribal Initiatives for Dual Language Education New Mexico, and Michael Rodriguez, Director of Dual Language Education New Mexico. These two forces share details of their ongoing work with the bi/multilingual communities in New Mexico and beyond, and of course, what to look forward to at the upcoming La Cosecha \Conference in Santa Fe, New Mexico from November 2nd-5th!

As more states and districts are embracing the “science of reading”, some educators and advocates have raised the question: Will these teaching methods work for English-language learners? Today we are joined by Mario Palma. Director of Bilingual ELL Solutions at American Reading Compan, and Dr. Kathy Escamilla, Professor of Education in the Division of Educational Equity and Cultural Diversity at the University of Colorado.  Let’s listen in as we learn about the implications this has on our emergent multilingual learners.

Joy School® English is produced by Alegra Learning, an education company with this simple mission: a life full of meaningful connections. While they are headquartered in Provo, Utah, Alegra Learnings' impact is felt on an international level. Brothers Tal and Eli Eyre share the mission and passion of Joy School® English with Segment Host, Suzanne Lasser.  Joy School is a perfect way for young children to learn English and develop character-building values that incorporate social and emotional learning. With relatable phrases, built-in reward systems, unique art, and fun stories, young children are captivated by the Joy School English program. To find out more please visit joyschoolenglish.com. Let's listen in...

Three interesting statistics: The US has more immigrants than any other country in the world, Recent studies show that 40 million people living in the US were born in another country and Immigrants today account for 13.7% of the US population. With this in mind, today you will hear Yarina Sencion in conversation with Michelle Caceres. Michelle graduated from Syracuse University and has been an ENL teacher for the past five years. She shares her parent’s journey to the US  and the life they have made in the US over the past 35 years.  Michelle’s father’s journey differs from that of my great grandfather and even that of Yarina’s family, however, all three are examples of the thousands who have left the comfort of “home” in search of economic opportunity, and encounter political freedom or experience religious freedom.  Author and multicultural advocate, Amada Irma Perez believes that the immigrant experience is strengthened by telling these stories and that through these stories people find the strength to thrive. Let's listen in...

Dr. Ofelia Garcia, pioneering bilingual education scholar and professor emerita, reflects on pride in family language practices and critiques limiting labels. She explains emergent bilingualism and frames translanguaging as a unified repertoire. Listen for practical ideas on when to open translanguaging spaces and how instruction should adapt to each community.

Ofelia Garcia, Professor Emerita and pioneer of translanguaging and dynamic bilingualism, reflects on growing up bilingual in New York and becoming a teacher. She discusses the unitary repertoire idea and uses a 'string of pearls' metaphor. Conversations cover translanguaging in AP classes, community-rooted additive schooling, and confronting cognitive injustice in assessments.

In honor of Bring Your Child to Work Day, program co-host Suzanne Lasser and I shared the Bilingual in America platform with Abraham and Emil, our respective bilingual sons. In the first part of this episode, the boys interviewed a language role model from their lives. Emil speaks with Marcela DeAndrade, his language teacher. Abraham speaks with Arshia Dhawan, his long-time friend, and classmate. During the latter part of the program segment, Emil and I continue to speak with Ms. DeAndrade, as we discuss the Seal of Biliteracy Certificate, available now for high school students. Let's listen in.

Hi! I’m Suzanne Lasser and today, on BIA, co-host Yarina Sencion and I speak with Susan Bretti and Dr. Lauren Raubaugh about  Bilingual in America’s partnership with Manhattanville College’s Changing Suburbs Institute aka CSI. The theme for  CSI’s 16th annual educator’s forum, taking place virtually on Friday, April 22nd, is Cultural Responsiveness: Unlocking the Potential for Diverse Learners.  During Episode 14, we heard from Dr. Nancy Cloud about what she will be sharing as this year’s Keynote Speaker. Right now, instead of sharing too many program details, we dive right in so you can hear about it directly from CSI Director Susan Bretti and one of the presenters, Dr. Lauren Raubaugh.  The four of us had a lot of fun recording this episode and I feel that Yarina said it best, “When we align with others and champion the same causes, we get good information out to folks.” The conference is happening on April 22nd and there is still time to register. Until next time, what more will you do to #speakyourbeauty?

Xánath Caraza is an internationally acclaimed poet & author, with works translated into seven languages, and a professor at the University of Missouri in Kansas City. Today she speaks with Yarina Sencion about her multilingual life and the role each version of her identity plays in her work. During this powerful conversation, we once again touch on the beauty of Nahuatl, the language of the Mayans still in use today, that when European colonization began could be heard from Mexico to Panama.   Xánath moves us with a reading of one of her poems, talks about her obsession with paper, and how writing for her is a life force.  I was moved by the beauty of her recitation of just one paragraph of her poem Sihuatl. I fell silent reflecting on her 2018 book of poems, Lagrima Roja, being translated & released in Greek and English honoring those women who fell victim to femicide in Mexico. I felt heavy when thinking about her newest book of poems, Jackeline's Butterfly, inspired by the death of the first child in US custody as part of the crisis at the border.  The weight of each of these works captures her commitment to sharing her undeniable gift with the world, and why as a writer she must let it all flow and rest.  As we come to the end of Women's Herstory Month, we are privileged to highlight Xánath, another strong, intelligent, dynamic, vibrant, and creative soul who speaks her beauty.

Dr. Nancy Cloud, Professor Emerita of the M.Ed. in TESL Program and in the Department of Educational Studies at Rhode Island College, is a specialist in ESL, bilingual and dual-language education. Prior to her work in Rhode Island College, she coordinated the M.S. TESL and Bilingual Education Programs at Hofstra University for ten years and federally funded projects at the Institute for Urban and Minority Education at Teachers College, Columbia University for six years.  Dr. Cloud publishes regularly on topics pertaining to the appropriate assessment and instruction of English Language Learners K-12. She received her doctorate from Teachers College, Columbia University, and is proficient in Spanish.  Let's listen in as Dr. Cloud shares her gems with co-hosts Suzanne Lasser and Yarina Sencion.