Bilingual in America

Enrique Moras, originally from Uruguay, is an enthusiast of children’s literature and is a man on a mission. He founded Syncretic Press in 2017, an independent publisher of children’s books, in order to provide authentic, high-quality children’s books in Spanish to readers in the United States. To help ensure these books get to all different children, he partners with school districts and not-for-profit organizations. Syncretic Press even has a Spanish book club! Listen in to hear why bigger isn’t always better, and how varying perspectives keep the picture book world exciting for young readers.

Today we are honored to speak with Dr. Christopher Clouet appointed by then-Commissioner Dr. Miguel A. Cardona (now Secretary of Education in the Biden Administration). Dr. Chris Clouet joined the Connecticut State Department of Education last March, as a special advisor to the Commissioner dedicated to stakeholder engagement and supporting the success of school districts. As a superintendent of schools for the last two decades, Dr. Clouet has led diverse urban, suburban, and rural districts throughout Connecticut and in New York. He brings extensive knowledge in implementing innovative programs that enhance and emphasize student achievement, the instructional core, and student voice as keys to district success. 

Jessica O’Donovan, Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools in NC, has taught English as a Foreign Language in Japan, English as a New Language in Massachusetts and New York, worked as a staff developer for NYSED, and worked as the director of dual language and ESL programs in the northeast.  With her vast experience in curriculum, instruction, and program design, she shares some of the positive aspects of teaching and learning in the hybrid model. She talks with Suzanne Lasser about being an eternal optimist and ways that the educational landscape will be forever changed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Let’s listen in...

Author and illustrator, Eric Velasquez earned his BFA from the School of Visual Arts and has illustrated over 30 children’s books. The many awards he has won include the NAACP Image Award and the Coretta-Scott King/John Steptoe Award. Eric has also authored and illustrated “Grandma’s Records”, inspired by his remembrances of Cortijo y Su Combo, a once-popular Latino music orchestra. Its follow-up title, Grandma’s Gift, won the 2011 Pura Belpre Award for illustration. His latest work, Octopus Soup, has been translated and is now available in Spanish. The son of Afro-Puerto Rican parents, Eric was born in Spanish Harlem and grew up in Harlem. His heritage and dual cultural experiences have given him a rich and unique cultural perspective that comes through in his work, and in how he lives his life. Listen in...

This week, we offer a bonus bilingual episode! This is a first for BIA! Today’s episode includes an English segment and a Spanish segment. Suzanne spoke with the Principal of a Gifted and Talented DL HS in Texas, and the Principal of a language school in Colombia, South America.  Parents, here, ponder the question "should my child learn Spanish?", while parents in Colombia ask "should my child learn English?" Doesn’t matter the combination of languages or the country, the answer is always YES!

Today on Bilingual in America, we are speaking with presenters Juliana Shoumbert and Emilio Rio Jiminez of the Bilingual for Vida Bilingue Conference offered by Global Vida, an organization dedicated to educational excellence. Global Vida is hosting a virtual educational conference on Feb 5 and 6th, with keynote speakers, Dr. Stephen Krashen and Dr. Kathy Escamilla, and offering a full menu of training and workshops for ESL, Bilingual, Dual Language, and LOTE educators, students, and families. 

Today we are speaking with the co-founders of Global Vida, an organization dedicated to educational excellence for ESL, Bilingual, Dual Language and LOTE educators, students, and families. Global Vida is hosting a virtual educational conference on Feb 5 and 6th, with keynote speakers Dr. Stephen Krashen and Dr. Kathy Escamilla, and offering a full menu of training and workshops. Listen in to hear more about the conference and how Global Vida got started..!

The first 1,000 days have been said to be crucial in the language constructs that are put into place for children. The truth is, the days beyond the first 1,000 are as equally important. Today we will hear from two educational experts about the added value of an investment in language development in a balanced and intentional way. #speakyourbeauty, #1000daystobeauty. Take a listen...

Music is powerful. With just a few short notes, it can shift your mood and emotions. Throughout this pandemic, we have used music to show support to essential workers, tap into needed energy, and even provide comfort in our darkest moments. You might be wondering what does music have to do with being bilingual…keep listening to find out. You will hear from four of our guests about the shared language they all speak….MUSIC.

There is a familiar conversation that children of interracial marriages have the advantage of experiencing two or more cultures, and with that sometimes a second language. Often, those children are not only bilingual but also enjoy cognitive advantages from growing up within more than one culture, becoming more open minded individuals and better communicators. But is this always true? Listen in to gather unexpected insight...