I am Mansi Bajaj (she/ her), a Lector of Hindi at Yale. As a language educator, there are three main values that I seek to exemplify: addressing socio-cultural issues for a broader understanding, utilizing diverse language inputs, and creating an interactive and safe classroom space. Presently, I am working on an Open Educational Resources (OER) project to increase Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity and Belonging (DEIB) in heritage language pedagogy. I am one of the two winners of the 2024 MAFLT LCTL Innovation Award. This award recognizes outstanding, innovative, and transformative uses of technology in the teaching of Less Commonly Taught Languages (LCTLs).

I have previously taught Hindi as an Assistant Professor of Instruction at the University of Texas, Austin (UT). I was on the panel of “Tackling Online Instruction of Less Commonly Taught Languages in a new Academic Year” at the Department of Asian Studies, UT. I am an active participant of workshops on “Diversity and Inclusivity in Language Classrooms”. I received my Ph.D. in Linguistics from the University of Delhi.

In the field of foreign language pedagogy, my research interests are focused on heritage language pedagogy, project-based language learning (PBLL), content-based instruction, genre-based language teaching, and, gender & sexuality, and wellness & mental health in South Asia. In addition, I have enhanced Hindi language instruction at the University of New Haven and K12 programs in Texas by creating Open Educational Resources and Credentialing Exams for Hindi.