In March 2020 we made our first foray into embodied cognition—how the brain and body work together to make meaning of the world around us (link). In this Think Tank we’re reexamining the fundamental connection of mind and body in foreign language learning. In the Main podcast episode Sheila Macrine and Jennifer Fugate not only explain how we use our bodies and the surrounding environment to learn, but also talk about practical applications in educational contexts. In the More podcast episode, Susan Hrach tells listeners how they might apply insights from embodied cognition inside and outside the classroom.

Starting our Think Tank articles off, Curtis Kelly writes about embodied cognition and how it is changing our view of memory and language. Tim Murphey continues by illustrating key concepts from Annie Murphy Paul’s The Extended Mind with his own experiences and ideas. Next, Harumi Kimura shares her observation of teachers using gestures effectively to facilitate students’ language learning. After Marc Helgesen offers readers a banquet of practical brain-body activities, Mohammad Khari delves into embodied cognition and its importance for language teachers. Matt Ehlers rounds off the issue with solid advice for conducting efficient Internet searches.