Literacy Now, Together Podcast
In this powerful episode of Literacy Now Together, hosts Brett Tingley (Parents for Reading Justice) and Kareem Weaver (FULCRUM) sit down with Dr. Elsa Cárdenas-Hagan and Dr. Antonio Fierro for an illuminating conversation on the science of reading and its vital application to multilingual learners. Drawing on decades of research and classroom practice, Dr. Cárdenas-Hagan and Dr. Fierro unpack how evidence-based instruction must integrate language and literacy development across all content areas—and across every grade level. This is beneficial for all students, and critical for multilingual learners. They call for teacher preparation programs to break out of silos, uniting speech-language, psychology, and education disciplines to equip educators with the knowledge and skills to support English Learners from day one. The discussion spans topics from linguistic responsiveness and dyslexia identification to higher education reform and economic mobility, underscoring that literacy is both a bridge to equity and a shared responsibility. As the guests remind us, all teachers are language teachers—and every child deserves instruction that honors their language, culture, and potential.
Watch: YouTube
Listen: Spotify
