Language, Culture & Community | Ndey Tida Kejera | ML Chat Podcast

Ndey Tida Kejera shares how growing up multilingual in Senegal and The Gambia shaped her belief that language, culture, and community are inseparable. Drawing from her experiences learning multiple languages and adapting to life in the United States, she explains why preserving home languages matters. She also shares practical ways educators can build on students’ existing knowledge and linguistic strengths. 00:00 Language as Culture 00:18 Meet Tida Kejera 01:27 Growing Up Multilingual 03:04 Village Life and Friends 05:39 Learning Konyagi and Fula 08:14 French School Beginnings 09:09 Names and Identity 11:33 Empathy and Lifelong Learning 13:39 Marriage and Moving to America 15:15 Learning English in the US 16:48 First Flight and Snow 22:10 New Life and Modern Conveniences 24:30 Choosing Teaching Abroad 26:28 First ESL Job Saudi 28:07 Cognates And Scaffolds 31:32 Language Is Culture 36:35 Raising Multilingual Kids 37:27 Advocating Home Languages 42:40 Welcoming School Community 46:21 Relationships And Legacy 50:35 Closing Reflections