Your Brain Doesn't Have Language Boxes: Here's Why That Changes Everything

What is translanguaging, and why does it matter for TESOL teachers? In this episode of TESOL with Micky and Ide, we discuss translanguaging, code-switching, multilingual learners, English-only teaching, identity, accent, belonging, and classroom practice. We begin with a simple but powerful question: are languages really stored in separate boxes in the brain, or do multilingual speakers draw from one rich linguistic repertoire? Micky and Ide discuss the difference between code-switching and translanguaging, why translanguaging challenges English-only assumptions, and how TESOL teachers can think more carefully about students’ full linguistic resources. We also reflect on accents, identity, emotion, belonging, and the practical limits of translanguaging in the English language classroom. This episode is especially useful for: TESOL students English language teachers EAP teachers MA TESOL students Teacher educators Multilingual teachers Anyone interested in translanguaging, Global Englishes, multilingualism, and language ideology The discussion draws on the open access paper “Shifting from Labels and Languages to People: Attuning TESOL to Translanguaging Realities” by Seltzer and Ríos. Comment “translanguaging” if you would like the reflection PDF for this episode. You may also enjoy: Our episode on Standard English and language ideology Our episode on Digital Literacies and AI Our episode on Self-Directed Language Learning Our episode on Vygotsky and the Zone of Proximal Development Subscribe to TESOL with Micky and Ide for accessible, research-informed discussions about TESOL, English language teaching, multilingualism, teacher education, and academic literacies. 00:00 Rethinking Language Boxes 00:39 Translanguaging vs Code Switching 03:58 Context and Emotion in Use 05:55 Paper Spotlight and English Only Myth 09:59 Connections Labels and Identity 13:29 Accents Ideology and Belonging 17:50 Classroom Questions and Limits 20:16 PDF Offer Key Takeaways 21:45 More Episodes and Goodbye #TESOL #Translanguaging #EnglishLanguageTeaching #Multilingualism #TeacherEducation Reference list Seltzer, K., & de los Ríos, C. (2026). Shifting from Labels and Languages to People: Attuning TESOL to Translanguaging Realities. TESOL Quarterly, 60(2), 528-544. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/p...