Why Language Policy Matters with Amanda Seewald [EP 85]

In this episode of Subject to Interpretation, host Maria Ceballos sits down with Amanda Seewald, Executive Director of JNCL-NCLIS, to explore why language access, multilingual education, and policy advocacy are essential to the future of interpreting and language services. Amanda shares her insights on federal language legislation, the role of interpreters in multilingual communities, and how advocates can influence meaningful change. This conversation will leave you inspired to support truly multilingual policies in your community.

Amanda Seewald is the Executive Director of JNCL-NCLIS and the owner of MARACAS Language Programs and Learning Kaleidoscope Educational Consulting. With over 20 years of experience in multilingual curriculum development and early language learning, she works with schools across the U.S. and Europe to build globally engaged programs.Her expertise is in multilingual/multicultural curriculum and instruction, focused on early language learning as well as dual language immersion education. Amanda is a past President of FLENJ, former NECTFL board member, and recipient of the 2020 NECTFL Nelson H. Brooks Award for Outstanding Leadership. 

She speaks Spanish, French, and Japanese, and regularly presents at national conferences. As an advocate for language education, Amanda works with federal and state legislative offices to garner support for legislation and funding. Her focus is also on empowering advocates through training and experiential opportunities. Amanda’s advocacy work in New Jersey led to the signing of the Seal of Biliteracy into law in 2016. It is Amanda’s hope that through engaging and dynamic language programming we will have a multilingual future for all children.