What happens to your brain when you learn a new language? According to Dr. Viorica Marian, it does far more than help you order dinner abroad. Her recent book The Power of Language reveals that the human mind is wired for multiple codes of communication, and that each new language reshapes the way we think, remember, and make decisions.

In this conversation, we dive into the science behind multilingualism and why it matters for schools, parents, and students. Dr. Marian walks us through research showing how learning another language:

• Strengthens executive function and focus
• Boosts creativity and critical reasoning
• Delays dementia by up to six years
• Improves emotional decision-making
• Literally changes what we see, pay attention to, and recall

We connect these insights to second and foreign language education, asking what it means for the classroom, for policy, and for lifelong learning. If you’ve ever wondered whether supporting language education is worth it, this episode will give you the scientific evidence and the inspiration to say yes!

About Dr. Viorica Marian:
Dr. Marian is a leading researcher on bilingualism and cognitive science. Her work reveals how the languages we speak shape our brains, our choices, and our futures.

NEWS ABOUT THE WORLD LANGUAGES COLLABORATIVE!

Georgia Southern University is excited to host the Fall World Languages Collaborative live and in person, our first in-person gathering since 2019!

Date: Saturday, October 25th from 8:30-12:00.

Location: Georgia Southern University, Armstrong Campus, Savannah, GA

The event is free and open to any language instructor: register here!

Expect engaging panel discussions and workshops geared towards the classroom teacher. Continuing education credits will be issued at the completion of the event.

For more information, contact me, Dr. Grant Gearhart: ggearhart@georgiasouthern.edu

We'd love to see you in Savannah!

Joe Dale returns for his third appearance on the podcast to share the latest developments in artificial intelligence and large language models (LLMs) for world language education. Joe and Grant reflect on what’s changed in the past year and explore exciting tools making waves in classrooms—from image generation to podcast creation, speaking practice, and student autonomy. Joe also discusses ethical concerns, student engagement, and how teachers can empower learners to use AI responsibly and effectively.

Whether you're new to AI or already experimenting with LLMs, this episode is packed with practical ideas, tool recommendations, and forward-thinking strategies to bring into your own teaching.

Topics covered:

• The evolution of LLMs over the last 12–16 months
• ChatGPT 4o's image generation with correct text
• Creating native-like audio dialogues with AI
• Using AI for lesson planning, feedback, and content creation
• Teaching students how to study independently using AI
• Responsible use and legal considerations (GDPR, FERPA, COPPA)
• Ethical concerns around AI and copyright
• Predictions for the future of AI in education

Connect with Joe here:

Email: joedale@talk21.com

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/languageteachingwithai

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@joedale

Twitter X: https://x.com/joedale

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joedale100

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/joedale.bsky.social

Click HERE for a list of all the amazing tools we discuss in this episode!

Episode Summary:
In this episode of the World Languages Collaborative Podcast, we dive into Calendar Talk—a powerful daily activity that fosters authentic communication and comprehensible input in the language classroom. Host Grant Gearhart has been experimenting with Calendar Talk in elementary Spanish classes at Georgia Southern University, but wanted to gain deeper insight from an expert in the field.

Enter Claudia Elliott—a multiple award-winning educator, podcaster, and the mind behind Growing With Proficiency and the host of Growing With Proficiency: The Podcast. Claudia has built a thriving online academy dedicated to helping language teachers develop students’ proficiency through comprehension, communication, and connections. Whether you’re new to Calendar Talk or a seasoned pro, this conversation will provide valuable insights, strategies, and inspiration for your own teaching practice.

Tune in as we discuss:
✅ What Calendar Talk is and why it works
✅ How to implement it effectively in different classroom settings
✅ Claudia’s approach to fostering student engagement and proficiency
✅ Practical tips for making the most of Calendar Talk

Join us for this engaging conversation and start transforming your language classes today!

🎧 Listen now and subscribe for more language teaching insights.