In this episode of The Multiliterate Mind, we sit down with educator, instructional leader, and long-time language learning advocate Dawn Samples for a powerful conversation about proficiency, literacy, and the realities of transforming language education. With more than 30 years of experience supporting schools and districts across the country, Dawn brings both historical perspective and deeply practical insight into what it really means to create proficiency-driven classrooms.
This episode also dives into multiliteracies, authentic resources, literacy development, student engagement, teacher mindset shifts, and the role educational systems play in slowing meaningful change. Whether you are a language teacher, school leader, multilingual educator, or someone passionate about literacy and communication, this conversation offers practical insight and powerful perspective on what students truly need to succeed in an AI-driven and globally connected world.
If you care about language proficiency, literacy instruction, multilingual learners, world language education, second language acquisition, or authentic learning practices, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways.
Dawn Samples is the Lead for Instruction at Lingco, where she supports schools and districts in implementing proficiency-driven world language programs grounded in ACTFL standards. At Lingco, she helps design curriculum, professional learning, and AI-supported tools that empower teachers to move from theory to practice—creating engaging, performance-based learning experiences that build real-world language proficiency. Lingco is a comprehensive world language curriculum and primary resource provider and platform that combines authentic resources, integrated performance assessments, and instructional supports to help teachers focus on what learners can do with the language. Visit them at lingco.io! Contact Dawn for more information at dawn@lingco.io, or on social media (lingco) Facebook,(Dawn) linkedin, (Lingco) instagram.