Episode 28 (Season 4: Episode 4): Why Every Brain Needs More Than One Language — with Dr. Viorica Marian

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!