Partnership strengthens Hindi and Punjabi language education in Victorian Schools
Graduating teachers with Professor Mary Ryan, Dean of the Faculty of Education, Victorian Minister for Education Ben Carroll and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International) and Senior Vice-President Professor Craig Jeffrey.
A Monash University and Victorian Government initiative has produced the first cohort of Hindi and Punjabi teachers, expanding opportunities for students to learn these important and widely spoken languages.
This professional learning micro-credential equipped existing teachers who have language capabilities but currently taught other subjects, with contemporary approaches to language education as well as curriculum design and cultural immersion techniques.
Victorian Minister for Education Ben Carroll joined teachers and education leaders to celebrate the graduation and congratulated the teachers for their commitment to strengthening language education and supporting Victoria’s increasingly diverse school student population.
Through the program, teachers completed a contemporary pedagogy course designed to build their confidence and capability to deliver high-quality language instruction aligned with the Victorian curriculum.
The program not only draws upon the University’s expertise in teacher professional learning, but aligns with our Monash India Plan which aims to expand on our strong foundations by deepening our engagement in education, research and partnerships with industry in India.
Professor Mary Ryan, Dean of the Faculty of Education at Monash said the program demonstrates the power of collaboration between universities, schools and government.
“These teachers have shown tremendous commitment to their profession and their communities. By completing this program, they are equipped with research-informed, curriculum-aligned teaching strategies that will strengthen Hindi and Punjabi education across Victoria and support students to develop language skills, cultural understanding and a strong sense of identity,” said Professor Ryan.
The initiative also responds to a broader national challenge: a shortage of trained language teachers. Punjabi and Hindi are currently the fourth and eighth most spoken languages in Victoria, yet both are not widely taught in schools. By upskilling current educators who already have language skills, the program provides schools with new opportunities to offer language subjects that are more reflective of the broader community.
Participants have developed research-informed approaches aligned with the Victorian curriculum, alongside strategies to deepen student engagement and improve learning outcomes.
A graduating teacher, Sonali Pendurkar from Alkira Secondary College, said the program had strengthened her ability to support students’ learning and cultural identity in the classroom.
“This program has given me practical strategies and research-based approaches that I can immediately apply in my classroom,” the teacher said.
“Teaching Hindi and Punjabi is about more than language – it helps students connect with their identity, build confidence and develop pride in their culture.”
Education leaders say the program highlights the professionalism and leadership shown by teachers committed to strengthening language education across the state.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International) and Senior Vice-President Professor Craig Jeffrey believes language teaching also extends beyond communication skills. For many students, learning a heritage language supports identity, confidence and a sense of belonging.
“Learning a language like Hindi or Punjabi is about far more than just vocabulary; it is a profound act of empathy that fundamentally shifts how we relate to one another and understand the world around us,” he says. “By empowering our teachers to bring these languages into the classroom, we are not only celebrating the vibrant cultural fabric of Melbourne’s Indian community but also advancing Monash’s commitment to being a truly global university for the Indo-Pacific – one that fosters the deep cross-cultural fluency required to lead and collaborate across our region.”
Schools benefit from confident, contemporary and culturally responsive educators who are equipped to deliver high-quality language learning experiences.
Students gain stronger literacy, bilingual capability and intercultural understanding.
For students of Indian heritage, learning Hindi or Punjabi can strengthen cultural pride and deepen connections with family and community across generations. For all students, language learning builds global awareness and prepares young people for life in a diverse and internationally connected Victoria.
The initiative also recognises the significant contribution of the Indian diaspora to Victoria’s multicultural society.
Supporting heritage language education helps reinforce community connections and signals that languages such as Hindi and Punjabi are valued and respected as part of the state’s cultural and educational future.
The partnership also opens the door to future opportunities, including expanded professional learning for language teachers, advanced pedagogy pathways and further research in bilingual, multilingual and heritage language education.
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