Unveiling the Magic: Crafting TA-DA! Talking Books through School Collaborations
Introduction: Embracing the Unseen Magic!
Step behind the curtain of TA-DA! Language Productions and discover the captivating journey that breathes life into our enchanting talking books. Join me on an exclusive exploration into the extraordinary behind-the-scenes process that ensures an unparalleled language learning experience for your child.
The Symphony of Collaboration
Collaboration is the heartbeat of TA-DA! Our philosophy transcends mere teamwork – we cultivate profound partnerships with schools, educators, and experts across diverse cultures. These partnerships underpin our triumphs, infusing each talking book with authenticity, precision, and cultural depth.
Every new language we introduce is nurtured by connections with schools intricately woven into their respective language and culture. Our collaboration spans principals, teachers, families, and students – stakeholders actively shaping every stage of production. From inception to the final creation, their invaluable insights resonate in the essence of our talking books.
Collaboration in Action
🧡 Cherished educational partners at GISSV, The German International Schools of Silicon Valley, lending their expertise to our captivating German talking books.
🧡 Vibrant engagement with Colegio Bilingüe Dos Naciones Unidas, Mexico City, Mexico – igniting the brilliance of our Spanish talking books.
🧡 TA-DA! teammate Jesse Lewis engaging with curious young minds at Gardner Bullis Elementary in Los Altos, CA, in Los Altos, CA, enriching our English talking books.
Creating Authentic Adventures
Ever wondered how we bring those engaging language adventures to life? It all begins with inspiration and ideas that keep us awake at night, merged seamlessly with the expertise of our partnering educators, who support us in crafting materials that align with the language and culture, turning learning into a thrilling journey of exploration.
Empowering Education: A Shining Moment with Mrs. O, Principal at Our Collaborating English School 📚✨ #EducationPartnership
Cultivating Cultural Sensitivity
Celebrating Culture and Cuisine: Exploring Traditional Chinese Delights with Our Valued Partners 🥢🌸 #CulturalConnections
We prioritize culture just as much as language. Children deserve access to accurate and culturally sensitive content. The two must be closely intertwined to ensure true fluency in a language.
We feel partnering with real schools, real kids and real educators is the very best way to ensure that the nuances of each language are preserved, celebrating the diversity of expression and the different ways we all grow up.
This connection bridges the gap between classroom wisdom and your child's heart.
“Mono” or “Chango”?
Educational Insights and Monkey POLLING Stories!
Our commitment to excellence goes beyond the surface. Take our Language Adventures title, "A Funny Day at the Zoo," as an example. When faced with the challenge of selecting the right Spanish word for "monkey" in our materials, we turned to our partners UNAM Mexico, UNAM Texas, and the Consulate of Mexico in San Jose, CA. They took the question so seriously, they put the decision to a vote, involving Hispanic educators, parents and professional communities in both Mexico and the United States in the effort. (“Mono” or “Chango” which do you think was the resounding choice? It surprised a lot of people. Hop into our collaboration, “Language Adventures, Un Día en el Zoológico” - and find out!)
Next Stop: Recording!
Recording voices for our talking books is an adventure that takes us to unexpected places – yes, even school washrooms! Educators from schools like The Lycée Français de San Francisco lend their voices, ensuring your child's immersion in native speech. From word selection to validation, we tread each step together with our partners – meticulously aligning word, sound, and illustration.
Our commitment to authenticity leads us to the heart of our partners' campuses, where we capture voices that will ultimately resonate in your child's hands. We prioritize their comfort, capturing their voices in settings they know best. Amidst the hustle and bustle of a typical school day, this means you’re likely to find us in surprising spaces, like closets or washrooms, which provide the best acoustics.
Finding the Perfect Sound: Recording in the Unexpected, but Acoustically Friendly, Confines of a School Washroom #BehindTheScenes @ Waldorf of the Peninsula School, CA
The Human Touch
Capturing the Magic of Learning: Jesse Lewis Recording the Enthusiastic Voices of Young Language Learners 🎙️🌟 #LanguageEducation
While technology is potent, the human touch remains irreplaceable. Real kids' and teachers' voices infuse our talking books with authenticity and warmth, a gift only a native speaker can offer. This fusion of expertise and youthful curiosity forms the cornerstone of our language immersion approach, grounded in real voices from real communities.
Championing Expertise: Shaping Language with a Symphony of Voices
Exploring Language Frontiers: Partnering with Dr. Charles Chang at Boston University’s Language Lab 📚🔬 #LinguisticsCollaboration Photo credit Boston Voyager Magazine.
Our commitment to excellence in language education extends to linguistic experts as well. For our 'English Children's Talking Dictionary,' we teamed up with Dr. Charles Chang, a distinguished linguist from Harvard-Berkeley and a respected professor at Boston University.
Dr. Chang's meticulous enunciation of each word was skillfully captured by acclaimed music producer Jesse Lewis, known for his work with Yo-Yo Ma. This collaboration ensures the utmost accuracy, clarity, and quality, immersing your child in the authentic world of language.
To create an even more enriching experience, we've woven a tapestry of diverse voices and perspectives into our materials. Alongside Dr. Chang's contributions, we've included the voices of grandparents, moms, dads, enthusiastic kids, and more. This vibrant chorus ensures that your child's language journey is enriched by a multitude of perspectives, fostering a profound and immersive learning experience.
TA-DA! team member, 4x Grammy® award-winning Jesse Lewis
Unlocking Language Adventures: Dive into the Features of Our Children's Talking Dictionary! 📚🔊 #LanguageExploration
Stepping into Our Little Ones’ Shoes for a Brighter Future - for All
Understanding children's perception of language is paramount. We craft content that sparks those "lightbulb" moments, where words come alive and connections are formed. We tailor materials to meet the unique needs of children learning a new language, supporting their growth and curiosity.
By partnering with educators and schools, we shape a language journey that nurtures that curiosity, embraces cultures, builds friendships, and lays the foundation for a brighter future.
Join Us on the Enriching Journey of Bilingualism!
Educators, are you excited to shape materials with us? Contact us to explore the endless possibilities of collaboration.
“TA-DA! is changing the way language has to be learned. It’s a revolution... We are very excited for this opportunity. We want to be part of it”
AND NEXT UP:
Amplifying Education through Melodies: Unveiling the Music of TA-DA!
TA-DA! Music & Sound Director, 18x Grammy® Award-Winning Rafa Sardina 🎵✨ #GrammyMagic (Where does he keep all those Grammys???)
While this blog delves into the remarkable collaborations that fuel our language education materials, we want to assure you that TA-DA! is not only a symphony of words but also a celebration of music. Our melodies are composed and crafted by multi-Grammy Award-winning musicians who champion excellence alongside us.
Stay tuned for an upcoming backstage pass where we'll lift the curtain on how these musical maestros infuse our language adventures with enchanting melodies. From concept to composition, the journey takes us to a renowned studio where even Lady Gaga has lent her voice! We can't wait to share this harmonious journey with you.
Meet the Heartfelt Heroes! Your child's favorite characters from the TA-DA! Language Adventures series, bringing learning to life with joy and imagination. 📚🌟 #LanguageAdventures
With excitement,
Michelle Glorieux
Founder & CEO, TA-DA! Language Productions
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