The Victorian School of Languages (VSL) that teaches languages other than English to students has launched new Hindi app for VCE students.
The new app will be available to students across the state to study VCE Hindi, no matter where they are.
VCE units 1 and 2 of VCE Hindi will be available in 2020 and VCE units 3 and 4 will be available in 2021, the VSL said.
“The content is designed so students working on their own can practise reading, listening, speaking and writing skills,” Sarika Gupta, the Hindi language co-ordinator at VSL told SBS Hindi.
The VCE Hindi course adopts a blended learning approach with a mix of online material, printed notes and workbooks, and regular oral lessons with their teacher.
The e-learning platform for distance language learning will offer students a flexible option for learning Hindi, with voice recordings, interactive tasks and other materials.
“If a student for any reason is unable to attend classes in person, this app is designed to assist them in learning at their convenience,” Ms Gupta said.
Minister for Education James Merlino said the new app was part of a new ‘blended learning’ pilot through Victorian Virtual Learning Network.
“There are thousands of students learning Indian languages and we want to see this increase even further,” he said.
The Victorian School of Languages has offered Hindi since 1987 with other Indian languages added since.
The VSL offers face-to-face classes in Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Punjabi, Telugu, Tamil and Urdu for students in F-10.
VCE classes are also available for students studying Hindi, Punjabi and Tamil.
Victorian School of Languages principal Frank Merlino said, “We have now completed another important step in the journey to expand the teaching of Hindi in Victoria.”
“The VCE App for Hindi will contribute to making the study of the language accessible to students who cannot access face-to-face classes.”
Indian Consul-General in Melbourne, Mr Raj Kumar, who visited the Victorian School of Languages to see the new app said this will improve the reach of Hindi.
“This new VCE Hindi app will open new avenues to learn Hindi for students who are staying far from metropolitan Melbourne and cannot attend classes in person. It will reduce the time involved in receiving study material and exams results, which was higher in the case of the traditional mode of distance learning. It will definitely improve the reach of Hindi in manifolds,” Mr Kumar told SBS Hindi.
