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.

Ever wonder if that amazing speaker you saw present at that conference ever had a bad day? Or faced the same types of challenges that you face each day in the classroom? Or what if all those great ideas you've been collecting conflict with your colleagues' ideas about language teaching?

In this episode, the one and only Joshua Cabral and I discuss how teachers can manage their expectations when deploying Comprehensible Input-driven classes. Specifically, we talk about how to walk the tightrope of being kind to yourself and working with what you have in front of you vs. blindly sticking to "what the research says." Also, we talk about how to interact with colleagues who may be what Joshua terms "legacy teachers" following a "legacy model" of teaching; that is, what we all did until we began to change our pedagogy, and what future teachers will refer to us as once the next big thing in language teaching unfolds.

Joshua is a blogger, a podcaster, an educational consultant, and an advocate for access to education and information both here in the United States and abroad. His podcast, the World Language Classroom, releases episodes each Monday, and it is totally worth clicking that "subscribe" button.

You can connect with Joshua via his social media links:

Podcast

Instagram (@wlclassroom)
Twitter/X (@wlclassroom)

Facebook (/wlclassroom)

Blog (wlclassroom.com)

In this episode of the World Languages Collaborative Podcast with Dr. Mark Linsky, Grant and Mark discuss how teachers can transition from a grammar-driven, knowledge-based classroom to a more acquisition-driven environment while keeping stakeholders apprised of progress.

Also, they discuss how student and teacher recognition can motivate learners to improve and stay with language learning and teachers to continue in the profession. One of these strategies is awarding credentials such as the Seal of Biliteracy.

For more information and for Mark's contact information, check out the links below!

Dr. Mark Linsky
Program Specialist for World Languages & Global Work Initiatives - Georgia Department of Education
Mark.Linsky@doe.k12.ga.us

https://gadoe.org/
https://gadoe.org/learning/world-languages-global-initiatives/
https://gadoe.org/grants-awards-diploma-seals/seal-of-biliteracy/
https://gadoe.org/grants-awards-diploma-seals/international-skills-diploma-seal/

For information about the World Languages Collaborative, contact the host Dr. Grant Gearhart
ggearhart@georgiasouthern.edu

🎙️ Welcome to another compelling episode of the World Languages Collaborative Podcast!

Today, we’re thrilled to have Colonel John Baskerville, a distinguished military officer and expert in Arabic and French Studies, join us for an eye-opening discussion.

Colonel Baskerville is a seasoned military officer with extensive experience in aviation and foreign affairs. A graduate of West Point with a Bachelor of Science in Arabic and French Studies, he has held key positions in the U.S. Army, including commanding an AH-64 Apache Company and serving as a Foreign Area Officer specializing in the Middle East. COL Baskerville holds advanced degrees from prestigious institutions and has served as an Academy Professor and Deputy Head of the Department of Foreign Languages at West Point.

🌍 In this episode, we explore the vital importance of language learning and cross-cultural understanding, not just for strategic military purposes, but also for enhancing national security and peace and fostering a more cohesive society. We also talk about the role of language learning within the #humanities, as well as specific ways to improve the messaging around why learning other languages and cultures is crucial for society.

COL Baskerville shares his unique insights from years of service in the Middle East and his academic expertise, highlighting how these skills are essential in our increasingly interconnected world.

Don’t miss this insightful conversation with one of the leading voices on this subject!

Welcome to the World Languages Collaborative Podcast, where we delve into the art and science of language teaching and learning.

Our guest, Dr. Diana Ruggiero, Full Professor of Spanish at the University of Memphis, joins us today. Diana is a renowned expert in world languages for specific purposes, particularly Spanish, and is celebrated globally for her contributions to both scholarship and teaching in this field. Her expertise extends to Spanish for healthcare, community service learning, and the Latino community in Memphis.

Episode Highlights

- The importance of LSP in today’s globalized world

- How to create relevant and engaging language courses tailored to specific professional contexts

- The role of cultural competence in LSP

- Best practices for integrating service-learning into LSP courses

This is great follow-up to our last episode with Dr. Darcy Lear. Be sure to check out that episode as well!

Show notes:

-Dr. Ruggiero’s article: “Hybrid Spanish: Succeeding in First-Year College Foreign Language Class through Metacognitive Awareness,” in Currents in Teaching and Learning, Volume 5, Nos. 1 & 2, Fall 2012, pages 79-93.

Canopy Learn

NATIONAL CULTURALLY AND LINGUISTICALLY APPROPRIATE SERVICES STANDARDS

The Latino Patient

In this episode, we're thrilled to welcome Dr. Darcy Lear, a Lecturer at the University of Chicago, whose expertise in foreign and second language education is truly exceptional. Dr. Lear holds a PhD from the Ohio State University and an MA from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her dedication to languages for specific purposes (LSP) is evident through her teaching, publications, and presentations, including courses like "Spanish for the Professions" and "Spanish for Public Interest Law in the U.S."

Dr. Lear's contributions to the field are remarkable, with books such as Integrating Career Preparation into Language Courses and the introductory Spanish textbook Conéctate, which she co-authored with Grant Goodall.

Today, we delve into the fascinating intersection of LSP and career readiness, exploring how instructors can seamlessly integrate these elements into language curriculum. Join us as we unravel the importance of preparing students for real-world language use and equipping them with the skills they need to thrive in diverse professional settings.

So grab your headphones and get ready to enhance your understanding of Languages for Specific Purposes and Career Readiness with Dr. Darcy Lear. This is an episode you won't want to miss!

BONUS: Check out Darcy's excellent Letter of Recommendation resource here!