World Languages Collaborative Podcast

Enrollment in language courses keeps dropping nationally. Bentley University found a way to buck that trend, and it didn't require a bigger budget or a mandate from above. Dr. Christian Rubio , Chair of Modern Languages and Director of the Honors Program at Bentley , joins host Grant Gearhart to explain how something as simple as a course name change opened the door to partnerships across cam...

Not every teaching career is linear, and often the twists and turns lead us to a deeper understanding of, and appreciation for, this profession. Today's guest shares her journey over the last decade+ and how's she's navigated the ups and downs of having an unconventional career. Dr. Sarah Cegelski holds a Ph. D. in Hispanic Literature from UNC–Chapel Hill and has spent the past 18 y...

When I studied Latin in graduate school (so I could read medieval Latin texts), we never spoke it. We read it aloud, but we never had a conversation. Didn't seem practical. No one speaks Latin, right? But what if the tenants of language acquisition applied to Latin just like they do to other languages?  My guest today is John Bracey, a dynamic Latin teacher with a captivating story about how...

What does it really take to become a National Board Certified Teacher as a world language educator? In this episode, I’m joined by Lisa Bartels , a veteran language teacher whose passion for languages began in a high school classroom and grew into a career spanning more than two decades. From teaching in international schools in Africa and the Philippines to supporting multilingual learners and fa...

In this episode of the World Languages Collaborative Podcast , Professor Grant Gearhart welcomes Dr. Sheri Spaine Long , a true leader and innovator in the field of language education. Over the course of her distinguished career, Dr. Spaine Long has worn just about every hat imaginable, including teacher, scholar, author, editor, administrator, and advocate.  Now serving as Director Emerita of the...

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 multili...

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 ethica...

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 t...

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 expectatio...

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 tea...

🎙️ 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 B...

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 t...

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,...

In this episode, we dive into the fascinating realm of Global Education. Joining us is Erin Austin, an award-winning teacher and accomplished author , known for her innovative approach to language teaching. Erin takes us on a journey beyond traditional language learning, sharing insights on how world language educators can globalize their classrooms . From leveraging technology to connecting with...

You should be thinking about ways AI can impact your teaching. For language teachers, there is no better source on this than Joe Dale.  Check out the show notes below, which were of course generated in part by AI!*  And check out all the amazing tools and resources Joe offers his subscribers and webinar attendees! Topics Discussed: The Rise of Artificial Intelligence in Education: Exploring the im...

If you've ever wondered about the ins and outs of dual language immersion, this is the episode for you! Recently the U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona spoke about the benefits of a multilingual education. Here today we have Sandra Daniel , Director of Language Program at The GLOBE Academy in Atlanta, GA, to talk with us about this very topic.   For more information on the World Langu...

Today's guest is Linda Markley, a master teacher who has been immersed in education all her life. Linda is the founder of The Spirit of Teaching blog, as well as the Teacher Tales podcast, which I was honored to be a guest on earlier this year. Our conversation revolves around overall student wellbeing and the unique role that language teachers (can) play in the lives of our students. We delv...

Bertha Delgadillo is a master Spanish teacher at Woodville-Tompkins High School in Savannah, GA.  She is known for her professional development webinars and her expertise in input-based instruction. One of her main activities is maintaining a blog about her activities, and I suggest you check out all the resources she shares there as well as how to connect with/follow her on social media. But toda...

If you are listening to this podcast, there’s a good chance you are a motivated educator looking for ways to improve your teaching and the classroom experiences of your students. And often that drive to improve comes with a price tag, one that’s frequently and unfortunately left to the teacher to pay.  My guest today is Dr. Kate Good, and we talk about how she made her vision of flexible seating i...

When it comes to technology and language teaching and learning, Joe Dale has answers to questions you haven't even thought of.  Joe Dale is an independent languages consultant from the UK who works with a range of organizations such as Network for Languages, ALL, The British Council, the BBC, Skype, Microsoft and The Guardian. He was host of the TES MFL forum for six years, former SSAT Langua...

If you are a language teacher and you live in a city, or you are fortunate to have a big department with many colleagues, inspiration for teaching and learning can be at your fingertips. But what if you teach and work in a rural area or district? What if you are one of the only language teachers--or the only language teacher --at your school? My guest today is Shannon Borum, and she has embraced t...

**DON'T MISS THIS! The Fall 2022 World Languages Collaborative is on Saturday November 5th!** This event is virtual and free and promises to have excellent presentations and conversations about language teaching! Click here for more information! Today's guest is Mr. Youssef Salhi , a professor of Arabic in the Department of World Languages & Cultures at Georgia Southern University. Y...

Benny Lewis has had a major impact on learning languages since sharing his story and creating his blog Fluent in 3 Months . Today, Benny and I discuss a variety of tips and techniques that have helped him become proficient in multiple languages. Check out more from Benny here: https://www.fluentin3months.com Instagram: @irishpolyglot Twitter:  @irishpolyglot TikTok: @irishpolyglot YouTube: https:/...

In the Spring 2022 semester, the Department of World Languages & Cultures at Georgia Southern University piloted a new experiential learning endeavor with two students. Alex and Rachel, now both graduates of Georgia Southern with degrees in Spanish, partnered with two organizations in Savannah, GA: Migrant Equity South East and Coastal Children's Advocacy Center.  Alex and Rachel join us...

In the Season 1 finale of the World Languages Collaborative Podcast, we welcome Meredith White to the show. Meredith White is Spanish teacher in Gwinnett County, GA. She and I discuss a variety of strategies that can help World Language educators streamline their planning, grading, and organization all in the name of self-care and quality enhancement. You can learn more about Meredith through her...