Appreciating the Hindi language to foster unity

The importance of the Hindi language cannot be undermined any longer in the education sector, its significance on various levels, encompassing cultural, historical, social, and economic dimensions is evident today.

Keeping up with this trend, a workshop on effective techniques for teaching Hindi grammar was organised by Apeejay School, Pitampura on December 12, 2023. The focus was on making Hindi learning- engaging, inclusive, and effective for students. The workshop sought to provide educators with innovative approaches to make Hindi learning engaging, inclusive, and effective for students.

Hindi language educators from various schools participated enthusiastically, including both experienced teachers and those new to the field, fostering a rich exchange of ideas and experiences. The workshop began with an inaugural address underscoring the global significance of Hindi language education. The speaker emphasised the need for dynamic teaching methodologies to meet the evolving learning needs of students.

Renowned author Mr Ravi Prakash Gupta served as the keynote speaker, emphasising the significance of activity-oriented learning, sparking children’s interest, and ensuring correct teaching practices.

“The interactive sessions and creative activities truly made learning Hindi an enjoyable experience. The use of games and group discussions made the concepts easier to grasp. I also appreciated the integration of technology in learning Hindi. The variety of digital tools and multimedia resources added depth and engagement to the session,” shared Pooja Bhardwaj, PRT Hindi at Apeejay School, Noida who participated in the workshop.

“The practical application of language skills was commendable. Mr Gupta’s approach was effective in explaining complex concepts. Their ability to create a supportive atmosphere encouraged participation and made learning Hindi more accessible. The workshop’s innovative teaching methods were refreshing! The unique approaches used, such as using physical activities to learn matras helped demystify Hindi language learning and made it more relatable,” Bhardwaj added.

Emphasising the simplicity of the writing system of the Hindi Language, the workshop ideally advocated that “what we speak, we write.” It highlighted the role of the mother tongue in shaping pronunciations and stressed the use of the standard form of Hindi for both speaking and writing. The teaching approach recommended was multidisciplinary, with a focus on all four skills: Speaking, Listening, Reading, and Writing.

The workshop centred on teaching Hindi with the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) and new methodologies which provided a platform for educators to explore and adopt innovative approaches to Hindi language instruction. Practical strategies were shared to enhance student engagement and proficiency in Hindi while aligning with the principles outlined in the National Education Policy 2020. Special attention was given to innovative pedagogical techniques like storytelling, games, multimedia tools, and role-plays, to create an immersive learning experience.

“It equipped us with practical strategies to enhance student engagement and proficiency in Hindi while aligning with the principles outlined in the National Education Policy. Special focus was given to innovative pedagogical techniques tailored to make Hindi learning more accessible and enjoyable,” expressed Deeksha Parashar, PRT Hindi at Apeejay School, Noida who also attended the workshop earlier.

Interactive sessions during the workshop encouraged participants to engage in discussions and share best practices, fostering collaborative learning and providing a platform for educators to exchange innovative teaching ideas. Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing appreciation for the practical strategies presented and highlighting the workshop’s applicability to their teaching contexts. Participants particularly valued the emphasis on incorporating technology and interactive methods to make Hindi learning enjoyable for students. The productive workshop concluded with an engaging play that demonstrated Hindi pedagogy used in various classes and a poem that presented grammar concepts in an easily understandable way.