Want to change the world? Learn another language

For the past 7 or 8 years I've been contemplating the relationship between leadership and language learning. I spent most of my late teens and 20s studying literature and learning other languages. Then I went on to teach Spanish for a number of years, focusing in on that one language, and learning more about Hispanic culture.

During my Ph.D. I delved deep into issues of leadership and educational administration.

I always puzzled over the relationship between language learning and leadership. I knew they were related in a profound and meaningful way. Figuring out how has become a quest over the past 7 or 8 years. The ideas, readings, research, teaching and life experience have begun to gel.

Last year, I had an article published in a newsletter for language teachers, "What Gandhi knew about language promotion". The response to that one little article encouraged me to keep working on the topic. This year I gave a presentation at the University of Calgary on the topic. The full-text copy of the paper for that presentation has been archived on the ERIC database.

A colleague has since asked me to submit an article to a journal she edits. I have prepared a draft and sent it off to her.

Here's a YouTube video (less than 2 minutes) that captures the key ideas that I've been looking into over the past several years:

Want to change the world? Learn another language.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3vTeqUgb9c

Calgary Police 5 km and half marathon

First 5 km race of the year for me this past weekend! The weather was cool and damp. The crowds were energetic and charged up.

We enjoyed running into Liesbeth, Zander, Karen and others we knew. We also saw Carla and Karin and Andra. It's a popular race, for sure!

I was happy to be back into an event, even though I did walk some.

Todd, on the other hand, had a personal best time, after training very hard, losing 10 lbs. and doing his first ever taper.

And so now the chatter has begun among the runners about what the rest of the season will bring for events, races and other chances to connect, test ourselves and enjoy the outdoors.