World Languages Collaborative Podcast

Dr. Grant Gearhart
  • 5.0 (9)
  • LANGUAGE LEARNING

The World Languages Collaborative Podcast shares innovative ideas, strategies, and best practices from experts in the field of language education. This podcast is an extension of the World Languages Collaborative, an annual event sponsored by the Georgia Department of Education, the Savannah Chatham County Public School System, and the Department of World Languages and Cultures at Georgia Southern University.

  1. 4D AGO

    Episode 30 (Season 4: Episode 6): National Board Certification for World Language Teachers with Lisa Bartels

    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 families in the U.S., Lisa brings a deeply informed, global perspective to language instruction. As a National Board Certified Teacher, past president of the North Carolina AATF, and recipient of multiple state and national honors—including the 2023 Foreign Language Association of North Carolina Teacher of the Year—Lisa offers a clear, honest look at the National Board Certification process specifically for world language teachers. We talk about what the process entails, why it matters for professional growth, and what teachers should know before deciding to pursue certification. Whether you’re considering National Board Certification or simply looking to grow as a language educator, this episode offers clarity, encouragement, and actionable takeaways. Lisa is also co-author, alongside Erin Austin, of Achieving National Board Certification in World Languages: Proven Strategies and Tips for Accomplished Teaching (2026, Routledge, Taylor & Francis). Her insights in this conversation reflect the same practical, teacher-centered approach found in the book. Be sure to enter the code 25AFLY4 when you check out for 20% off the book! Lisa's Website: www.explorecurriculum.com LinkedIn: lisa-bartels YouTube: @explorecurriculum Facebook: /explorecurriculum/ Twitter: @explorecurric

    26 min

  2. 11/06/2025

    Episode 29 (Season 4: Episode 5): The National Federation of Modern Language Teachers Associations with Dr. Sheri Spaine Long

    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 American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP), she joins us to shine a light on a lesser-known but highly influential organization: the National Federation of Modern Language Teachers Associations (NFMLTA). Together, we discuss how this vital resource supports research, collaboration, and professional growth across the world language community. Connect with the NFMLTA on social media: LinkedIn Instagram

    30 min

  3. 09/15/2025

    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 focusBoosts creativity and critical reasoningDelays dementia by up to six yearsImproves emotional decision-makingLiterally changes what we see, pay attention to, and recallWe 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!

    44 min

  4. 05/22/2025

    Episode 27 (Season 4: Episode 3): What's New and What's Next in AI and Language Learning with Joe Dale

    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 monthsChatGPT 4o's image generation with correct textCreating native-like audio dialogues with AIUsing AI for lesson planning, feedback, and content creationTeaching students how to study independently using AIResponsible use and legal considerations (GDPR, FERPA, COPPA)Ethical concerns around AI and copyrightPredictions for the future of AI in educationConnect 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!

    36 min

  5. 04/04/2025

    Episode 26 (Season 4: Episode 2): Calendar Talk with Claudia Elliott

    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.

    38 min

  6. 02/10/2025

    Episode 25 (Season 4: Episode 1): Managing Expectations and Focusing on Principles with CI with Joshua Cabral

    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)

    43 min

  7. 12/12/2024

    Episode 24 (Season 3: Episode. 5): Motivating Teachers and Learners through Credentialing and Recognition with Dr. Mark Linsky

    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

    38 min

  8. 07/01/2024

    Episode 23 (Season 3: Ep. 4): The Critical Role of Language Learning and Cross-Cultural Understanding with Colonel John Baskerville

    🎙️ 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!

    37 min
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The World Languages Collaborative Podcast shares innovative ideas, strategies, and best practices from experts in the field of language education. This podcast is an extension of the World Languages Collaborative, an annual event sponsored by the Georgia Department of Education, the Savannah Chatham County Public School System, and the Department of World Languages and Cultures at Georgia Southern University.

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