Language is in everything. And it really, really makes a difference.
When language is a part of the conversation in education, everyone wins. Students thrive, persist, and excel. Staff and faculty lead better, collaborate more effectively, and gain professional and personal insights that make an impact in the work they do and accomplishments they pursue.
Language is in everything - from the way we use and deploy AI in education to the ways we design programs for multilingual learners, develop curricula across disciplines, assessment methodologies and retention initiatives. Language is foundational to professional development programs and resources, onboarding materials, policy and analysis, research and grant writing.
Bring a language & education expert to your project and see your deliverables and benchmarks reach new heights.
About Focus on Language
Focus on Language is a language education consulting firm dedicated to increasing the quality of education through language. With over 15 years of experience in education as a researcher, language instructor, curriculum designer, success coach, academic advisor, retention program developer and operations director, I leverage my expertise to improve the experiences and skills of learners, educators, and families.
For educators and institutions this looks like program evaluation, curriculum design, professional development workshops and training, and strategic planning to increase student engagement and retention, develop and improve language teaching effectiveness, and elevate student outcomes and reach. Language is a part of everything we do - from every interaction to the ways we write and implement policy, design student services, design and analyze surveys, and write and deliver communications. I offer my expertise at every stage of institutional development, evolution, and impact.
For learners and families, this looks like tailored study plans to learn foreign languages and personalized program matching to language learning opportunities all over the world. It also looks like bespoke at-home language learning plans that enable parents and learners to progress in their language learning endeavors beyond the classroom through manageable activities and effective resources.
Read more about offerings here.
Who you’ll focus with:
My name is Marinka Swift - I’m a nerdy and passionate linguist and language education consultant with over 15 years of experience. As a trained researcher and language educator, I’m dedicated to making educational exchanges, opportunities, and offerings better for educators, academic institutions, and learners. I’ve devoted my work and research to improving higher education - from designing student retention and success programs and conducting original research to inform policy, to developing assessments, training and professional development. As a result, I have acquired a super unique skillset to support the development and improvement of educational opportunities and outcomes.
As a social scientist and devoted applied educator, I derive purpose from deploying my research training to help academic institutions identify areas of growth and make relevant impact. I believe in the power of academia to influence and foster belonging and transformative opportunity, for staff and faculty as much as students.
I provide services that are grounded in best practices and that strategically integrate the values, goals, and objectives of a client.
As a language teacher, I’ve taught Italian, Spanish, English and linguistics at the high school level, university level, as well as to migrants, adult learners, and in private settings. I’ve designed language curricula across language levels, goals, and needs and I’ve taught second language teaching courses to prospective teachers. Combined with my roles and collaborations with divisions of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, I am able to support academic language departments to develop and enhance curricula, faculty and student support staff skillsets to increase retention and belonging.
Ph.D. Linguistics, University of California, Davis
M.A. Linguistics, University of California, Davis
M.A. Pedagogy and Linguistics, Middlebury College Italian School
Languages: English, Italian, Spanish
Expertise: Second Language Acquisition, Applied Linguistics, Language Teaching, Language Education Technology, Curriculum Design, Program Evaluation and Assessment, Student Success and Retention, Multilingual Learner Education, Program Design for International Students
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Interactive sessions designed for educators who work in multilingual contexts and/or with multilingual students. I work with academic advisors, faculty, university leadership, and scholars in training.
Workshops can be tailored for in-person or virtual participants. Educators leave these workshops with insights, tools, and action items to leverage in your efforts to have relevant and meaningful impact in your work in education.on effective language teaching strategies, curricula design, technology integration, social justice in the language classroom, and more.
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I develop and enhance language curricula for individual faculty or language departments. I also work with your department and your budget to integrate technology effectively into course syllabi and lesson plans that are engaging and easy to adapt. Services cover design, evaluation and assessment, technology and AI integration, and language program matching.
AI integration
Technology integration for teacher time saving as well as student language acquisition
Inclusive language acquisition strategies
Teacher training
Language study abroad program integration with your curriculum
DEI and Language Ideologies - lesson plans and integration with content
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How well is your department meeting the interests, needs, and goals of your students? Has course enrollment declined or increased? Do you know what factors are influencing student engagement with your course offerings? What can your department do to achieve more success and retention, for students, faculty and staff? Find out what's working and where your department can grow with a detailed Program Evaluation.
For Educators
For Learners
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For the learners and families wanting to bring more language learning into the home but don't know where to start or how to keep the learning going - this service is for you.
For parents who want to support their child's language learning at home, especially when the child is learning a language that is not spoken at home, a Bespoke At-Home Language Learning Plan is exactly what you need to help your child stay motivated, feel supported, and keep the learning progressing beyond the classroom!
I set you and your family up with the right activities, resources, tools, and materials to bring more language learning into your daily life. I'm not talking about tutoring or lesson plans. I'm talking about actually bringing language into your home in the form of engaging learning spaces for your learner, language specific and bilingual materials to create visual and accessible language opportunities throughout your home, and fun yet manageable activities and ideas that even the most busy parents can support. Read more about this unique service here. -
I help you find the best language program for your or your child's goals. Whether seeking a summer opportunity between academic terms, professional language training, or bespoke language learning experiences domestically or abroad, I’ll find the best program for you/your learner and help you through the entire application process.
From language program research and selection to supporting you through the entire application process, I’m with you every step of the process.
Why choose Focus on Language?
With a robust academic background and extensive hands-on experience, I bring a unique blend of theoretical knowledge, practical expertise, and global learning experience to my clients and their projects.
Expertise: Over 15 years of language teaching, curriculum design, program development and implementation, and education research.
Experience: Proven track record of improving outcomes for educators and learners.
Customization: Tailored workshops, training, resources, and deliverables to meet your team’s goals and needs.
Commitment: Dedicated to improving educational outcomes and experiences for the whole network - from your staff and faculty to your students. As a first-generation college graduate myself and passionate educator, I’m diligent in putting my best work into each project and collaboration because I truly believe in the potential for education to build and sustain opportunity for all.
Purpose & Drive
Get in touch
Ready to learn more? Contact me today to learn how working with me can help you reach your goals as an educator or institution.