The Bilingual Professor

EP2: The "Confusion" Myth

One of the most persistent myths about bilingual children is that using two languages will confuse them. In this episode, Dr. Kevin Wong takes that myth apart with cognitive science. Drawing on research from Fred Genesee, Ellen Bialystok, and other leading scholars in bilingualism, this solo deep-dive explains what is actually happening when bilingual children mix languages, pause to find words, or move through a silent period. Rather than signs of confusion, these behaviors often reflect sophisticated cognitive work: separating languages by context, managing two active language systems through inhibitory control, and developing early metalinguistic awareness. For parents or teachers who have ever worried that their child’s language mixing means something is wrong, this episode offers a powerful reframe: your child is not confused. Your child is constructing a remarkable bilingual brain.

EP1: What is Bilingualism, Really?

In this pilot episode, Dr. Kevin Wong challenges the most common assumption people hold about bilingualism — that it's simply about knowing two languages. Drawing on foundational and contemporary research, he reframes bilingualism as a dynamic, identity-rich resource rather than a checklist skill. By the end, parents and teachers will feel more confident, less guilty, and better equipped to support their bilingual children.