MODERN PEDAGOGIES IN TEACHING INDIAN LANGUAGES

Abstract

Amid globalisation, technological advancement, and shifting pedagogical paradigms, teaching Indian languages has become an important field of study. Language education is essential for cultural transmission, identity formation, cognitive development, and social participation because India's diverse linguistic ecosystem includes hundreds of languages and dialects. This chapter advocates a shift from traditional pedagogy to more contemporary, competency-based, learner-centred, and interactive methods. It explores task-based and project-based learning, collaborative and inquiry-based pedagogy, reflective practice, and translanguaging as successful strategies that foster meaningful engagement with linguistic and cultural content, drawing on constructivism, communicative language teaching, sociocultural theory, experiential learning, and multilingual education. The chapter also examines how digital technologies, such as digital storytelling, virtual classrooms, mobile learning apps, multimedia resources, and AI-powered language tools, can create learning experiences that are accessible, personalised, and interactive. While issues like the digital gap, poor infrastructure, and disparities in technical literacy require careful consideration, these technologies can help preserve and spread regional and indigenous languages. The paper discusses multilingualism, mother-tongue-based education, curriculum creation, assessment reform, and teacher preparation in the context of the National Education Policy 2020. It argues that to strengthen India's linguistic diversity and cultural legacy while fostering communicative competence, critical literacy, multilingual awareness, educational equity, and lifelong learning, educators must integrate innovative pedagogical approaches with cultural and linguistic sensitivity.