Meet Daniela M Ribeiro Beard | Linguist, Consultant & COO at Fuller Language Experiences

We had the good fortune of connecting with Daniela M Ribeiro Beard and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Daniela, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
It is in my very nature to look at the world around and wonder how I can be part of both adding value to it and optimizing its systems. When my business partner Amy first approached me with the concept, our biggest desire was to address that we saw the world trying to learn languages while isolatedly staring at a screen. We knew there is a better way. Starting this business was a means to leverage what I have had the opportunity to learn along the way, my formal education as a linguist, experiences, and passion to create a platform in which people can interact with language learning with excellence and through community.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Lots of language learning apps and programs have emerged recently. As linguists. these are exciting times, as people are recognizing how crucial a role language learning and awareness plays in a global world and economy. The thing is, we know as both educators and researchers that building and engaging in community is absolutely critical when it comes to learning a language. These apps, while great in their own right for vocabulary practice, don’t actually provide these fundamental opportunities for interaction and using language to communicate. So that is one of the things that sets us apart in this language learning world: we are very passionate about community and connection: the purpose of learning a language is, after all, to engage with others. Especially in this moment in history where we understand the need for community more than ever.

Language is also about understanding culture and therefore better understanding the world in which we live.
I grew up in a multilingual and multicultural household. Both Amy and I and have lived in several countries along the way. We want to help people be prepared to connect with others with different cultural practices, points of view, and sets of knowledge. The world really is a better place when good communication exists. For this very reason, one of the things that we set out to provide was the opportunity to experience the languages and cultures firsthand in an international setting. Every year, our students can take a guided trip with their classmates to one of the countries in which their target language is spoken. This travel includes curated activities that will enhance their understanding of that culture and location.

A final aspect to mention about FLE is how intent we are on building a team comprised of people who are highly qualified and experienced educators. In the language learning space, it is common to have “native speaker” as a sufficient qualification to teach: we believe in the importance of providing our clients with excellent educators. All of our instructors have advanced degrees and tons of experience. We also believe in actually paying our people well. It is important for us that our company be part of improving the lives of everyone with whom we interact.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I live northwest of the city (Atlanta) and love the outdoors. This itinerary might dramatically change based on the guest, but since the question is about my best friend visiting, here goes. We would: 1. go into Atlanta and visit the World of Coke, Georgia Aquarium, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, and the King Center.
2. take the kayaks out to Toonigh Creek Falls
3. hike the Cooper’s Furnace Nature Trail
4. enjoy an Atlanta United game
5. eat at Henry’s Louisiana Grill
6. play pickleball at the Acworth Community Center, Oregon Park, Shaw Park, or Dellinger Park
7. grab some coffee from Swift & Finch and play some board games.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have been immensely blessed by having fiercely encouraging people in my life over the years. This is true to the point that it would be unfeasible to mention them all by name here, as grateful as I am for all their incredible impact. My Shoutout here goes to 3 sets of people: 1. My parents and sister – you have been there from the start. Thank you for always fostering my dreams and sharing your invaluable wisdom. 2. My husband – thank you for loving me so well and for your sagacious insight. 3. My business partner Amy – for dreaming up Fuller Language Experiences (FLE), and collaborating with me on this journey. I am thankful for how well our brains complement each other, for your passion, and humor. Goodness knows we can all use a good laugh often!

Website: www.fullerlanguageexperiences.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fullerlanguage/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielamribeirobeard/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fullerlanguage

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@fullerlanguage

Image Credits
For the first picture (the one in which I am by myself sitting on stairs) – picture by Liana Hakobian.