THE TURKISH LINGUIST WHO DECODES THE LANGUAGE SECRETS OF THE BRAIN… AFTER LONDON, SHE IS NOW STEPPING ONTO THE WORLD STAGE!
Award-winning Neuro-Linguistic Researcher Derya Şahin, who continues her scientific studies in Istanbul and challenges traditional approaches in language learning, continues to attract the attention of the international academic world with her brain-based language acquisition model.
Having received an international award in London on May 14, Şahin is now preparing to travel to the UK on September 2 to receive her award and host the International Humanitarian Peace Awards, which will be held at the prestigious Naval and Military Club.
“FOR YEARS, WE BLAMED OURSELVES, NOT THE METHOD…”
The common question shared by millions of people who want to learn a foreign language has always been the same:
“Why have I been studying for years but still cannot speak?”
Award-winning Neuro-Linguistic Researcher Derya Şahin, who continues her work in Istanbul, answers this question not only from an educational perspective but also through a neuro-linguistic approach based on the mechanisms of how the brain functions.
According to Şahin, the problem is not people’s ability or intelligence, but rather the memorization- and translation-based learning habits that have been applied for years.
“Perhaps for years, we have blamed the wrong people instead of the wrong method. The issue is not how many words we know, but how our brain processes language.”
“LANGUAGE IS NOT ACQUIRED IN MEMORY, BUT THROUGH NETWORKS OF MEANING”
The most remarkable point emphasized by Şahin is the way the brain learns language.
According to her, the human brain can acquire a foreign language much more naturally by associating it directly with meaning rather than constantly translating it into the native language.
Therefore, instead of simply memorizing dictionary definitions of words, learning through real-life experiences, visuals, stories, gestures, facial expressions, and communication contexts activates the brain’s natural acquisition mechanism.
Şahin states that this approach is not merely a theoretical perspective but a viewpoint supported by scientific studies in the field of neuro-linguistics.
“MILLIONS KNOW THOUSANDS OF WORDS BUT STILL CANNOT SPEAK”
Stating that one of the most common misconceptions in foreign language education is the belief that “memorizing more words leads to better speaking skills,” Şahin explains that fluency is not determined by the amount of knowledge, but by how the brain processes that knowledge in real time.
“There are millions of people who know thousands of words but cannot speak. Because fluency is not determined by the amount of information, but by how the brain organizes that information and uses it during communication.”
“THE SILENT PERIOD IS NOT FAILURE, IT IS THE BRAIN’S PREPARATION PHASE”
Another important issue highlighted by Şahin is the process known in the scientific world as the “Silent Period.”
Emphasizing that individuals who begin to understand a language but cannot yet speak are not unsuccessful, Şahin explains that the brain carries out an intense internal restructuring process during this period.
Just as a baby acquires language for months before speaking, Şahin states that in adults, understanding often comes before speaking.
“LANGUAGE IS NOT A SUBJECT TO BE MEMORIZED, IT IS THE BRAIN’S NATURAL ABILITY”
According to Şahin, language is not simply a subject consisting of grammar rules and vocabulary lists, but a biological process in which the brain naturally organizes patterns of meaning.
For this reason, she argues that the main goal should not be to memorize more, but to create learning environments that support the brain’s natural acquisition mechanisms.
This approach is considered among the studies that have attracted attention in both the education world and international academic circles in recent years.
AN ACADEMIC SUCCESS STORY EXTENDING FROM LONDON TO THE NAVAL AND MILITARY CLUB
Derya Şahin, who has gained recognition on international platforms through her scientific studies, received an international award at the 24th European Quality Summit held on May 14 at the prestigious Naval and Military Club in London.
Organized by Lobin International, the summit brought together representatives from politics, academia, media, business, and diaspora communities under one roof.
Şahin was presented with an international achievement award for her contributions to applied neuro-linguistics and multilingual communication.
Having received numerous awards in Turkey for her studies in linguistics, Şahin is now preparing for a new international achievement.
At the International Humanitarian Peace Awards program, which will be held at the Naval and Military Club on September 2, Şahin will receive her award and will also host this important event, representing Turkey at an international organization.
WHO IS DERYA SAHIN?
Born in Istanbul in 1985, Derya Şahin is an award-winning linguist and education strategist known for her studies in linguistics, neuro-linguistics, and brain-based foreign language acquisition.
Her language journey began with a 100% English and German-based education at a very young age and gained an academic dimension in 2005 through her studies in the Department of Philology (Linguistics) at Atatürk University.
Şahin conducts studies on language acquisition and neuro-linguistics, the brain’s language processing systems, psycholinguistics, early-age foreign language acquisition, second language development, multilingualism, and brain-based learning models.
Focusing her research on the brain’s natural learning mechanisms in foreign language acquisition among children and adults, Şahin attracts attention with her meaning-based and communication-oriented scientific approaches.
After receiving awards in Turkey and taking her work to the international arena, Derya Şahin is preparing to represent Turkey at the international organization to be held in the Naval and Military Club following her achievements in London.
Şahin’s story stands out not only as an example of the awards she has received, but also as a powerful example of how ideas produced through the universal language of science can transcend borders.
Website:
https://deryasahinegitim.com
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/deryasahinegitim/
