Language learning in the present time is changing, with most children speaking English at home, studying in English at school, and communicating with friends using English while they may have a grasp on spoken Hindi but are not able to write.
This was highlighted by Fiji National University Hindi Lecturer, Dr Subhashni Kumar, at the National Manak Hindi Conference.
Dr Kumar stresses that the environment for Hindi, which traditionally began at home, is now shifting towards English, adding people have a strong grasp of spoken Hindi, they often lack skills in Hindi writing.
She emphasised that many rely on AI and do not use their own creative abilities.
Dr Kumar highlights that Hindi writing can be taught to students, but it must be instilled from the preschool level, which would give them ample time to practise consistently.
She emphasises that this can be supported through YouTube videos, blogs, and podcasts in Hindi.
Dr Kumar has also raised concerns about the declining number of students taking Hindi as a subject, noting that in some cases, only three to five students are enrolled.
She urges everyone not to treat Hindi merely as a scoring subject, but to embrace it with passion, as it represents our cultural identity, history, and roots.
Meanwhile, University of the South Pacific Lecturer, Bhagirati Bhan, stresses that because students are using AI in their assessments, they have found a solution of conducting assessments in class.
Bhan adds that for students who have to make submissions from Labasa or Taveuni, they are required to produce a YouTube presentation video in which they must speak in Hindi.
She also emphasises the importance of selecting two to three students during school holidays to teach them Hindi and motivate them, adding that this will help improve the overall quality of the Hindi language.
