The Bilingual Brain: Plurilingualism at Dana Hall

“To have a second language is to possess a second soul.”

Charlemagne

Growing up in Barcelona, I rarely thought of bilingualism as something extraordinary. Speaking Spanish at home and Catalan at school and with friends felt natural, almost automatic. Later on, learning French, Italian, English and Hebrew added a plurilingual layer to my life. 

Only later did I realize how these languages weren’t just tools, they were actively shaping the way my brain learned, remembered, connected with others and understood the world. Every language is a microcosm, a universe waiting to be explored. A language is a gateway into a unique culture, a new way of thinking, and another lens through which to see humanity.

This fall, my students and I watched the TED-Ed lesson The Benefits of the Bilingual Brain by Mia Nacamulli. In her lecture, she explains how learning and using more than one language has profound effects on the brain. She describes bilingualism not as a burden or a complication, but as a powerful mental workout that strengthens cognitive abilities and even protects brain health long-term.

At Dana Hall, I’ve discovered that this idea—plurilingualism—is at the heart of our world language program. We don’t simply teach French, Spanish, Latin and Mandarin as isolated subjects. We encourage students to see languages as interconnected doorways to cultures, identities, and global perspectives.

At Dana Hall, the World Languages Department is deeply committed to giving students opportunities to use their languages outside the four walls of the classroom. We believe that real fluency grows through authentic experiences, meaningful human connection, and cultural immersion.

For students who enjoy their language studies, Dana Hall offers opportunities to extend learning far beyond vocabulary lists and grammar exercises. Through language clubs, field trips, cooking workshops, the Global Scholars Program, spring break cultural trips and study abroad opportunities, students can immerse themselves in authentic environments, strengthening both linguistic and intercultural competence.

In my French classroom, we explore current events, Francophone news, global issues, and perspectives from communities across the French-speaking world. We compare cultures, debate international topics, and reflect on how language shapes identity. My goal is for students to leave not only more fluent, but more curious, empathetic, and globally aware.