South Asian Language Teachers Association Conference 2025
(SALTA)
Conference Program: May 8-10
All Times: EST
May 8 (Thursday)
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
SALTA Business Meeting
SALTA members are welcome to attend
May 9 (Friday)
9:00 AM – 9:15 AM
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Kusum Knapczyk (SALTA President, Duke University)
Rajiv Ranjan (SALTA Vice President, Michigan State University)
Panel 1: Action-Based Language Teaching and the Role of Contextualization: Examples from the Textbook Bāteṁ
Chair: Kusum Knapczyk, Duke University
9:15 AM – 10:45 AM
- Bāteṁ. Hindi Grammar the Communicative Way. Types of Tasks on the Theory-Practice Continuum
Presenter: Elmar Josef Renner, University of Copenhagen, Denmark - Enhancing Language Acquisition through Performative Teaching Techniques: A Case Study with Bāteṁ
Presenter: Marina Rimscha, Hebrew University, Jerusalem - Baaton Baaton mein
Presenter: Ritu Jayakar, The Pennsylvania State University
10:45 AM – 11:00 AM
Tea Break ☕️
Panel 2: Innovations in South Asian Language Pedagogy
Chair: Peter Knapczyk, Wake Forest University (SALTA Executive Secretary)
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
- Incorporating AI in the Urdu Language Classroom: Innovations, Opportunities, and Challenges
Presenter: Romeena Kureishy, University of Chicago - Engaging Students Through Pedagogical Innovations in South Asian Language Learning: A Task-Based and Communicative Approach
Presenter: Chitra Bajpai, Shri Ramswaroop Memorial College of Engineering and Management (India) - Songs as Pedagogical Tools: Enhancing Hindi-Urdu Proficiency through Popular Culture
Presenter: Vaibhavi Chaturvedi, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Capitalizing on AI Tools for Enhancing the 3 Modes of Communication
Presenter: Patrica Sabarwal (Kansas)
12:30 PM – 1:00 PM
Lunch Break 🍽️
Panel 3: Cultural Contexts and Language Learning
Chair: Ritu Jayakar, The Pennsylvania State University
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
- Strategies to Improve Spelling-Velling in Hindi-Urdu Language Classes: Should We Even Bother?
Presenter: Gyanam Mahajan, UCLA - From Likes to Language: Leveraging Social Media for Authentic Engagement in South Asian Language Classrooms
Presenter: Sarfaraz A. Farooque, UCLA - The Fallacy of Authentic Texts: The Case of Hindi-Urdu (and other South Asian Languages)
Presenter: Sunil Bhatt, University of British Columbia
2:30 PM – 2:45 PM
Tea Break ☕️
Panel 4: Community-Based Language Learning and Cultural Exchange
Chair: Gyanam Mahajan, UCLA
2:45 PM – 4:00 PM
- Findings from a Six-Week-Long Asynchronous Online Discussion Forum Between Intermediate-Level Hindi Language Learners in the United States and English Language Learners in India
Presenter: Shilpa Parnami, Boston University - Pedagogical Challenges of Community-Based Bangla Schools in the US
Presenters: Sayema Khatun, Akkhor Bangla School (Wisconsin) - Plays – An innovative tool to teach Hindi
Presenter: Soma Vyas, Hindi Language Academy, New Jersey
End of Day 👋
May 10 (Saturday)
9:00 AM – 10:15 AM
Panel 5: Strategies for Developing and Publishing Language Learning Materials and Translations
Chair: Vasu Renganathan, University of Pennsylvania (SALTA Treasurer)
- Publishing South Asian Language Materials: Project Proposals and Contracts
Presenter: Peter Knapczyk, Wake Forest University - Managing Pedagogy Materials Projects: Design, Workflow, and Publishing
Presenter: Timsal Masud, Columbia University - Translating Between Hindi and Urdu: A Personal Journey
Presenter: Aftab Ahmad, Columbia University
10:15 AM – 10:30 AM
Tea Break ☕️
Panel 6: Cultural Narratives and Language Learning
Chair: Mansi Bajaj, Yale University (SALTA Communication Director)
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
- Jataka Tales – Lessons in Compassion and Culture
Presenter: Garima Agarwal, Hindi Language Academy, New Jersey - Exploring Socio-Environmental Narratives in Hindi Classrooms: The case of Bhopal Gas Disaster
Presenter: Anubhooti Kabra (Atlanta) - Godana and Chitrakala: Celebrating Heritage Through Art
Presenters: Bhanushri Sisodia, Syracuse University & Kusum Knapczyk, Duke University - Engaging students through pedagogical innovations with specific examples from Switzerland
Presenters: Shivani Bhardawaj, Sunday Hindi School Association Switzerland
12:00 PM – 12:30 PM
Lunch Break 🍽️
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Introduction: Divya Chaudhry, Vanderbilt University
Keynote Speaker: Shaheen Parveen, Rutgers University
Topic: A Journey through South Asian Language and Culture: Innovations, Narratives, and Pedagogy
1:30 PM – 1:45 PM
Closing Remarks
Divya Chaudhry, Vanderbilt University (SALTA Research Director)
See you next year!
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A short report on the SALTA conference
This year’s South Asian Language Teachers Association (SALTA) conference, themed “Engaging Students Through Pedagogical Innovations in South Asian Language Learning,” featured panels and presentations from esteemed educators and researchers. Participants from India, Pakistan, Switzerland, Canada, and the USA connected, with around 25 attendees each day. Discussions included innovative classroom ideas like publishing books, using AI, and incorporating authentic materials. Due to popular demand, participants requested another online conference next year to enable global participation. Our keynote speaker was Prof. Shaheen Parveen from Rutgers University.
Additionally, we have 105 educators worldwide receiving our emails, including both paid and previous members. We will continue to organize annual conferences, professional development programs, and SALTA Share Saturday events. This year, we are introducing a new activity: the Hindi book club, where we will invite contemporary book readings and reviews. I encourage other South Asian languages to do the same. I would like to thank the Title VI program of UW-Madison for their institutional support for the SALTA mission.
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2025 Conference Call for Proposals
The South Asian Language Teachers Association (SALTA) is pleased to announce its two-day online international conference, which will be held on Friday and Saturday, May 9th-10th 2025.
This year’s conference theme is “Engaging Students Through Pedagogical Innovations in South Asian Language Learning.” Educators continually strive to discover innovative ways to inspire and engage our students. This year’s theme provides an exciting opportunity to share our creative methods and learn from one another’s experiences. While we are especially interested in groundbreaking action research, and teaching approaches in technology, literature, games, and realia, the possibilities are endless!
Here is the form to complete your abstract and introduction: https://forms.gle/Y2jJwsCafN4kiiEd8
SALTA solicits proposals for panels, individual presentations, and workshops on relevant topics related to the above theme. Each session will be 90 minutes long with 3 panelists/presenters; individual presentations will be 20 minutes long. A proposal should include the name(s) of presenters/panelists and a short description (200-300 words) of your proposed panel/presentation. Proposals and presentations for the main sessions should be in English; additional panels and workshops in other languages may be arranged. If proposing a panel, please include a brief abstract of the panel (approximately 100 words) in addition to the individual paper abstracts. Proposals and panels will be accepted on a rolling basis.
Conference registration is free for SALTA members, $35 for professionals, and $25 for students. Teachers of less-commonly taught South Asian languages are especially encouraged to apply.
SALTA 