On December 16th, 2025, a talk show on Neuroscience-Based Language Teaching was held at Room 709, Soegondo Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada. The event brought together Language Teaching students in Magister Linguistik, who share a common concern: how understanding the brain can improve language learning.
The first theme, Teaching Language through Gamification: A Neuroscience-Based Approach, emphasized the importance of creating a safe and engaging learning environment. Speakers highlighted the role of the amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for fear and stress responses. When students feel threatened or anxious, the amygdala becomes active, which can disrupt the hippocampus, or the brain’s center for memory formation.
This explains why students who appear passive or disengaged may actually be experiencing emotional barriers to learning. Through interpersonal communication and close observation, teachers can identify students’ preferred learning styles. One case shared by Fajriani Fitri illustrated how a stressed student with poor academic performance regained confidence after a visual-based learning approach was applied. As she noted, teaching language also means addressing students’ past failures and helping them believe in their own ability.
The second theme, Teaching with Emotion: How Affective Neuroscience Enhances Language Learning, focused on the emotional dimension of language education. Negative emotions, such as anxiety or trauma from previous learning experiences, can strongly affect students’ willingness to speak, especially in foreign languages. Therefore, teachers are encouraged to build interactive and emotionally supportive classrooms. By emphasizing action-based learning—such as practicing how to order food in English—students can focus on communication rather than fear of mistakes. Fluency is prioritized before accuracy to reduce anxiety and foster positive memories.
The discussion concluded by addressing adult learners, such as those preparing for TOEFL or IELTS. While adults have different emotional conditions and learning goals, emotional and interpersonal approaches remain relevant. Repeated practice, deductive teaching methods, and emotional awareness are key to engaging the limbic system and sustaining learning motivation. Ultimately, while methods may change, one constant remains: effective language teaching must reach both the mind and the heart of learners.