Yuva Hindi Sansthan (YHS)

Yuva Hindi Sansthan is a non-profit educational and cultural organization with the goal of promoting Hindi learning and cultural practices in the Indian Diaspora.

Background

Yuva Hindi Sansthan, Inc., a New Jersey based non-profit organization (501-C-3), is dedicated to promote Hindi learning in USA. Our major activity is in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, where we are organizing Summer Immersion Program called STARTALK in association with North Penn School District since 2013. Prior to 2013 Yuva Hindi organized STARTALK Hindi Program in Bensalem, PA (2012); Newark, Delaware (2011) and Atlanta (2010).

The organization is led by its president Ashok Ojha, President and Director of YHS STARTALK PROGRAM. He is assisted by an Executive Committee chaired by Dr. Surendra Gambhir, UPenn, who  is also the mentor of most of YHS members.

Yuva Hindi Sansthan was launched in 2009 at the campus of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, where a group of Hindi professionals including Ashok Ojha, Manju Tiwari, Sanjay Kumar, Dolly Chatterjee were attending the STARTALK Teacher Training Program under Professor Vijay Gambhir and Dr. Surendra Gambhir.

The group decided to launch Yuva Hindi Sansthan with focus on teaching Hindi to young Heritage learners and train teachers under the guidelines of ACTFL proficiency guidelines and STARTALK ENDORSED BEST PRACTICES FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING. Since then we have diligently working towards expanding the base for Hindi learning and teaching.

We are fortunate to have been awarded STARTALK Student Summer Programs every year since 2010. Today, YHS is ready to embark upon its next phase of developing varieties of teaching and learning material for Novice and Intermediate learners which would be made available on this site at no cost.

YHS creates opportunities to improve the communicative capacity of young learners. In order to meet its objectives we have opened pathways to explore venues for working with the other organizations and institutions with similar goals and objectives, research, publications, and other related activities.

2019 PROGRAM - PENNSYLVANIA

YHS - STARTALK Hindi Language and Culture Program 2019

Overarching Theme: 'A Virtual Trip to India: North-South-East-West’

Post Program Activities

STARTALK requires for all students to attend learning sessions (online and onsite) during pre and post program period, especially writing practice.

Hindi Diwas Event : Sept 21, 2019

PROGRAM FLYER

( Click here Hindi Diwas Flyer For YHS STARTALK Hindi Language Program 2019)

PROGRAM REPORTS

( Click here Hindi Diwas Program reports For YHS STARTALK Hindi Language Program 2019)

YHS STARTALLK Reunion & Annual Day Event : November 2, 2019

PROGRAM FLYER

( Click here Reunion & annual day Flyer For YHS STARTALK Hindi Language Program 2019)

PROGRAM REPORTS

( Click here Reunion & annual day Reports For YHS STARTALK Hindi Language Program 2019)

Introduction

Yuva Hindi Sansthan, in partnership with North Penn School District, conducted its seventh YHS STARTALK Hindi Language and Culture Program 2019, from June 24-July 12, to teach Hindi to 53 Elementary, Middle and High School students. Authentic audio visual and textual materials were selected under the overarching theme, 'My virtual trip to India', divided into three sub-themes of 'things to see, do and eat' in the four destinations of North, South, East and Western regions of India. During the 105 hours of instruction students practiced greetings to address people they met in the trip using appropriate register, titles, courtesy expressions, and gestures. As students explored geographical features, climate and culture of the four regions of India they engaged in games, songs, dances, skits, map and picture based activities. They experienced Dussahara festival (South), visited a beach in Odisha (East) to see tortoise laying eggs and the hills of Mussoorie (North). On the field trip day they visited a local community cultural center, where Hindi is spoken, and interacted with an artist about real life activities. Novice learners identified characters and events and presented in culturally appropriate manner while Intermediate students paired and shared, compared and contrasted information with their own experiences and ideas in USA. They investigated and identified significant and interesting cities, landmarks, historical artifacts, and recreational activities that apply to both tourism and cultural exploration; discussed, deconstructed and debated, agreed and disagreed before reaching consensus. They made presentations and wrote blogs in Hindi. Our instructors applied the STARTALK principles in instructional strategies. The daily Can Dos were posted on the walls in each classroom and reviewed with students who responded positively to exit cards end of the day. Our instructional material and teaching strategies supported the cognitive development of the learners and their higher order skills through connections between local and global issues, such as, wildlife and environment, in content. By end of the program students explained how the trips expanded their horizons and why it was a valuable experience. Students in six grades and up, took part in pre and post program AAPPL Tests.

2018 PROGRAM - PENNSYLVANIA

YHS - STARTALK
Hindi Language and Culture Program 2018

Overarching Theme: My virtual trip to India

Introduction:

YHS STARTALK Hindi Language and Culture Program 2018 (JUNE 18- JULY 6, 2018) was hosted by North Penn School District at Pennbrook Middle School, 1201 N Wales Rd, North Wales, PA 19454. The program theme was 'My virtual trip to India', divided into three sub-themes, 'East-West and North-South regions of India'. We developed three levels of curricula for Novice and Intermediate ranges of ACTFL proficiency guidelines. 

The theme provided information about food, festival and places to visit in each region in chunks and recycled.

The program was designed to make sure all learners demonstrate comprehension knowledge and learn to the best of their abilities. Rich visuals based authentic material engaged learners in thinking, pairing and sharing ideas and performing activities and tasks in the three modes of communication leading to improve their speaking, reading and writing abilities.

Storytelling Novice and intermediate students will present their story at a 'Story Festival' on the final day of the program.

Student Project Site Archive (YHS)

A series of Google Sites created by students showcasing their work in the past few years.