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Dyslexia and the Bilingual Brain: How Dual Language Skills Enhance Reading and Cognitive Development

Wednesday, May 22, 2024 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EDT

Dyslexia and the Bilingual Brain: How Dual Language Skills Enhance Reading and Cognitive Development

Presented by Dr. Ioulia Kovelman, Professor of Psychology, University of Michigan; Maya Goodall, Chief Marketing Officer, CORE Learning; and Kristie Shelley, Chief Product Officer, CORE Learning

Sponsored by CORE Learning

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Bilingual education does more than teach two languages; it has the potential to help dyslexic students unlock cognitive and linguistic skills that traditional monolingual approaches might overlook. Join Dr. Ioulia Kovelman and CORE Learning’s Maya Goodall for a discussion on the transformative impact of bilingualism on dyslexic learners along with practical insights from research that improves literacy instruction for all learners.

In this second session of CORE Learning’s Structured Literacy and Language Diversity Week: Spring ’24 Series, you learn about:

  • Cross-linguistic benefits: Learn how bilingual children with dyslexia use their first language to boost literacy in a second language for improved academic performance
  • Neurological insights: Discover how bilingualism reshapes the brain’s reading circuits and provides unique tools for managing dyslexia
  • Metalinguistic skills: Find out how bilingual education enhances cognitive flexibility, essential for reading mastery in any language
  • Evidence-based practices: Gain practical, research-backed methods to enhance learning outcomes across diverse educational settings

This edWebinar is part of our ongoing effort to challenge educational norms and create more inclusive classrooms for all learners. View today to join the movement towards a more nuanced understanding of bilingual and dyslexic education. This recorded edWebinar is of interest to PreK-12 teachers, school leaders, and district leaders.

Ioulia Kovelman

About the Presenters

Dr. Ioulia Kovelman is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Michigan, where she leads the Language and Literacy Lab. Her groundbreaking research investigates how bilingual children acquire multiple languages, including Spanish, English, and Chinese. With a Ph.D. from Dartmouth College, Dr. Kovelman focuses on the complexities and advantages of bilingual literacy development.

In her lab, Dr. Kovelman utilizes functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) to study brain development in both typically developing readers and those facing learning challenges, such as dyslexia and developmental language disorders. Her research aims to reveal how different languages influence reading processes, which can lead to more effective teaching strategies. Dr. Kovelman’s research has been consistently funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Maya Goodall

Maya Valencia Goodall is a visionary entrepreneur in education who brings over two decades of expertise to the intersection of bilingual literacy, language acquisition, and educational technology. As Co-founder of OL&LA at CORE Learning, her focus is on developing literacy professional development that seamlessly integrates structured literacy with second language acquisition to help educators deliver equitable literacy instruction to all learners. Her expertise spans educational theory, LX design, and practical classroom application, always with a focus on honoring students’ diverse language backgrounds and experiences.

Before CORE Learning, Maya co-founded Lingual Learning, a curriculum company committed to empowering students to become confidently bilingual. This venture was later acquired by Rosetta Stone/Lexia Learning, where Maya and team developed the award-winning program, Lexia English—recognized for using speech recognition technology and culturally relevant avatars with authentic accents to immerse students in English learning through conversation. Maya’s academic background, a Master of Arts in education AND a Master of Education in applied linguistics, lays the foundation for her innovative educational solutions dedicated to equity and intersectionality.

Kristie Shelley

As Chief Product Officer, Kristie Shelley leads, develops, and implements the strategic vision for CORE’s digital products, leveraging over two decades of experience in the publishing and edtech sectors. Her expertise centers on seamlessly integrating cutting-edge tools and technology into product development and practical application, ensuring CORE remains at the innovation forefront. Previously, Kristie developed products for multilingual learners at Lexia and Lingual Learning, a company she co-founded and later sold to Rosetta Stone. She also held multiple roles at MHE before this entrepreneurial venture.

Kristie’s educational journey began as a third-grade teacher in California, providing her with invaluable firsthand experience and a profound appreciation for transformative learning. Her deep passion for empowering learners and educators motivates her to continuously push boundaries and innovate. She holds a B.A. in education from San Diego State University and a Master of Education in curriculum and instructional design from the University of Phoenix.

Learn more about viewing the live presentation and the recording, earning your CE certificate, and using our new accessibility features.

Join the Language and Literacy community to network with educators, participate in online discussions, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates.


CORE Learning

For 25+ years, CORE has pioneered evidence-based and research-grounded professional learning experiences and school supports that equip educators with the tools they need to advance rigorous instruction, high-quality materials, and effective assessments. CORE partners with educators to strengthen the foundations of teaching and learning, ensuring all students experience a rigorous, relevant, and inclusive public education.


Inclusive Teaching, Diverse Learning

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