South Asian Language Teachers Association (SALTA) held its annual conference on June 24 and 25, 2022. This year conference was hybrid (face-to-face, and via zoom), hosted at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. For this year’s conference, SALTA solicited research papers based on a theme “Integration,” to explore the following issues: (a) How do we integrate new pedagogic methodologies into our practices? (b) How do South Asian language programs partner with other stakeholders in their respective institutions? (c) How do curricula and materials intersect with one another inter-institutionally? This year, the conference aimed to bring together teachers of South Asian languages of all experience levels and all backgrounds to share and discuss these and similar questions to expand the horizon of South Asian language teaching. SALTA received several papers but could only include twelve papers for the presentations which were arranged in four sessions based on their thematic similarities. We had fourteen presenters and around forty attendees in this year conference.
The conference began with an opening remark by the president of SALTA, lliott McCarter, Vanderbilt University. After the opening remark, we had our first session on the theme “Evidence Based Materials and Instructional Development.” In this panel, Mansi Bajaj, University of Texas, Austin; Sunil Bhatt, University of British Columbia; William Cocke, Augusta University; and Peter Knapczyk, Wake Forest University presented their papers and shared their observations and recommendations for instructional development. First day of the conference ended with a dinner reception at Himal Chuli restaurant. The second day of the conference began with the second session. Our second panel was based on the theme of “Mile Sur Mera Tumahara: Integrating the Reginal and Global Learners through Hindi Language Teaching.” In this panel, Pritesh Chakraborty, Acharya Sukumar Sen Mahavidyalaya; Pooja Ranade, Fergusson College; and Anuradha Dosad, Adamas University presented their papers, and showcased their ideas and concepts. Our third session was based on the these of “Applied Theory and Pedagogic Practice in South Asian Languages.” In this panel, Santosh Kumar, Delhi Teachers University; Rajiv Ranjan, Michigan State University; and Kashika Singh, Indiana University, Bloomington presented their papers and showcased how they implemented pedagogical approaches in online teaching and material development. Our last session was based on the theme of “Integrating Active Learning, Digital Resources and Background Topic Literature in the Sanskrit Classroom.” In this panel, Patrick T. Cummins, Cornell University; Nataliya Yanchevskaya, Princeton University; and Aleksandar Uskokov, Yale University shared their challenges and ways to overcome those challenges in teaching Sanskrit as a second/foreign language. After very engaging sessions, our keynote speaker for this year conference, Frances Pritchett, Columbia University shared her lifetime language teaching experience. In her note, she reflected on her own training and how South Asian language teaching has moved forward. She ended her address with her blessing and best wishes for moving forward in our profession. After the keynote address, SALTA’s president, Elliott McCarter, gave thanks to our keynote speaker, paper presenters, attendees, and other board members to conclude this year conference.
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Conference Schedule June 24-25, 2022
Friday, June 24
| Shanghai 6:00-6:30A (25 JUN) Delhi 3:30-4:00A (25 JUN) London 11:00-11:30P New York 6:00-6:30P Chicago 5:00-5:30P Denver 4:00-4:30P Los Angeles 3:00-3:30P Honolulu 12:00-12:30P | Opening Remarks and Annual Report South Asian Language Teaching: Integration | Elliott McCarter (Vanderbilt University) |
| Shanghai 6:30-8:00A (25 JUN) Delhi 4:00-5:30A (25 JUN) London 11:30-1:00A (25 JUN) New York 6:30-8:00P Chicago 5:30-7:00P Denver 4:30-6:00P Los Angeles 3:30-5:00P Honolulu 12:30-2:00P | Session One Evidence Based Material and Instructional Development | Mansi Bajaj (University of Texas, Austin) Sunil Bhatt (University of British Columbia) William Cocke (Augusta University) Peter Knapczyk (Wake Forest University) |
| Madison 7:00P | Dinner Reception | In-Person Madison, Wisconsin |
Saturday, June 25
| Shanghai 9:00-9:30P Delhi 6:30-7:00P London 2:00-2:30P New York 9:00-9:30A Chicago 8:00-8:30A Denver 7:00-7:30A Los Angeles 6:00-6:30A Honolulu 3:00-3:30A | Reception | |
| Shanghai 9:30-11:00P Delhi 7:00-8:30P London 2:30-4:00P New York 9:30-11:00A Chicago 8:30-10:00A Denver 7:30-9:00A Los Angeles 6:30-8:00A Honolulu 3:30-5:00A | Session Two “Mile Sur Mera Tumhara”: Integrating the Regional and Global Learners through Hindi Language Teaching | Pritesh Chakraborty (Acharya Sukumar Sen Mahavidyalaya) Pooja Ranade (Fergusson College) Anuradha Dosad (Adamas University) |
| Break | ||
| Shanghai 11:15P-12:45A (25-26 JUN) Delhi 8:45-10:15P London 4:15-5:45P New York 11:15A-12:45P Chicago 10:15-11:45A Denver 9:15-10:45A Los Angeles 8:15-9:45A Honolulu 5:15-6:45A | Session Three Applied Theory and Pedagogic Practice in South Asian Languages | Santosh Kumar (Delhi Teachers University) Rajiv Ranjan (Michigan State University) Kashika Singh (Indiana University Bloomington) |
| Break | ||
| Madison 12:00-1:30P | Brown Bag Language Teaching Workshop | In-Person, Madison Wisconsin |
| Shanghai 2:30-4:00A (26 JUN) Delhi 12:00-1:30A (26 JUN) London 7:30-9:00P New York 2:30-4:00P Chicago 1:30-3:00P Denver 12:30-2:00P Los Angeles 11:30A-1:00P Honolulu 8:30-10:00A | Session Four Integrating Active Learning, Digital Resources and Background Topic Literature in the Sanskrit Classroom | Patrick T. Cummins (Cornell University) Nataliya Yanchevskaya (Princeton University) Aleksandar Uskokov (Yale University) |
| Break | ||
| Shanghai 4:15-5:15A (26 JUN) Delhi 1:45-2:45A (26 JUN) London 9:15-10:15P New York 4:15-5:15P Chicago 3:15-4:15P Denver 2:15-3:15P Los Angeles 1:15A-2:15P Honolulu 10:15-11:15A | Business Meeting | Board Members Required |
| Break | ||
| Shanghai 6:00-7:00A (26 JUN) Delhi 3:30-4:30A (26 JUN) London 11:00-12:00P New York 6:00-7:00P Chicago 5:00-6:00P Denver 4:00-3:00P Los Angeles 3:00-4:00P Honolulu 12:00-1:00P | Keynote Address | Frances Pritchett (Columbia University) |
| Closing Remarks | Elliott McCarter (Vanderbilt University) |
CALL FOR PAPERS AND REGISTRATION
Theme: Integration
University of Wisconsin-Madison, June 24-25, 2022
Call for Proposals
South Asian Language Teachers Association (SALTA) is pleased to announce a two-day conference to be held online and in-person (hybrid) in partnership with the University of Wisconsin at Madison on June 24-25, Friday-Saturday, 2022.
The theme of this year’s conference is South Asian Language Teaching is “Integration.” How do we integrate new pedagogic methodologies into our practices? How do South Asian language programs partner with other stakeholders in their respective institutions? How do curricula and materials intersect with one another inter-institutionally? This conference aims to bring together teachers of South Asian languages of all experience levels and all backgrounds to share and discuss these and similar questions to expand the horizon of South Asian language teaching.
We solicit proposals for panels on relevant topics as suggested by the themes mentioned above. Individual and workshop presentations will also be considered. Each panel will be 90 minutes long with 3-4 panelists/presenters; and individual presentations will be 20 minutes long. A proposal should include name(s) of presenters/panelists and a short description (250-500 words) of your proposed panel/presentation. Proposals and presentations should be in English. Please send your proposals to conference@mysalta.org by Monday, May 16, 2022. Selected panels and presentations will be announced by May 20.
Conference registration is free. Teachers of less-commonly taught South Asian languages are especially encouraged to apply. To register, please click the following link: https://forms.gle/vTpTvXUhDZrmMCYa9
SALTA 