Department Of Education In Languages

The Council performs varied roles with an overall objective of bringing about qualitative improvement in humanities education in schools. It has been involved in the development of model syllabi and teaching-learning materials in languages for upper primary, secondary and higher secondary stages.

Language in education is the basis for learning and development of children during the formative years of school. It is equally important for learning in general and learning the content subjects in particular in later years. Department of Languages aims to realize overarching principles of learning to shape children into independent learners and harmonious citizens. The Department of Languages was set up on 1 July 2005 and works actively in promoting language education through development and evaluation of curricula and instructional materials; professional development of teachers, and conducts research in language education at all stages of schooling. The department lays emphasis on empowering teachers through its continuous orientation and works on innovative strategies and emerging trends in language education.

The Department of Languages stresses on:

• Use of mother tongue / home language(s) of children as the medium of learning in schools;
• The linguistic diversity of India poses complex challenges but also a range of opportunities. Multilingualism confers definite cognitive advantages;
• The three language formula is an attempt to address the challenges and opportunities of the linguistic situation in India. It is a strategy that serves as a launching pad for learning more languages; and
• In the non-Hindi speaking states, children learn Hindi. In the case of Hindi speaking states, children learn a language not spoken in their area. Sanskrit may also be studied as a Modern Indian Language in addition to these languages.