Growing interest in Hindi

The Hindi Foundation of TT, in conjunction with the University of the West Indies’ Centre for Language Learning, and the Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Cultural Cooperation will host its fourth International Hindi Seminar from April 16 — 18, at the Centre for Language Learning at UWI. The theme of this year’s seminar is “Hindi in the Caribbean: Issues and Perspectives.” According to President of the Hindi Foundation, Chanka Seeterram, the objective of this year’s seminar is “to review and reiterate the scholarly reflections and guidance on teaching the Hindi language.”

Additionally, the seminar will act as a follow-up to the recommendations adopted at the World Hindi Conference, which was held in Suriname last year and which included practical approaches to developing curriculum and course material; teaching methodologies; integrate skills; and proficiency oriented language instructions. At a press conference held at the FSS Building on Wednesday, Seeterram said the seminar would also allow local Hindi teachers/learners the opportunity to interact with international scholars of Hindi, as well as providing a forum to discuss problems and raise issues which have been encountered in teaching and learning Hindi.

However, while he stressed that more needs to be done as an increasing number of schools are clamouring for Hindi to be introduced at their respective institutions, Seeterram lamented that they have yet to meet to discuss the matter with Education Minister Hazel Manning. Registration is only $50, and persons can register at the Centre for Language Learning at UWI; the Indian High Commission and the Chanka Seeterram Building in St Augustine.