Teaching Interactional Practices in  the Hindi Language classroom

Divya Chaudhry

Vanderbilt University

Scholarly literature on second language learning stresses participation in conversation as a means to gain access to target culture (Barraja-Rohan,1997). The current presentation shows that by “making explicit key L2 interactional resources that interactants employ” (Mitchell & Myles,1998), teachers can demonstrate the function of interaction in a language and support development of learners’ interactional ability and intercultural competence. After providing an overview of interactional practices (Wong & Waring, 2003), the presenter will demonstrate implementation of an interaction-focused lesson plan in an elementary Hindi language classroom. Sample activities and assessments will be shared.

Bio: Divya Chaudhry is a lecturer in Hind-Urdu at Vanderbilt University. She received her PhD in linguistics from the University of Florida. Her research interests include second language pedagogy, Hindi conversation analysis, development of interactional and intercultural competencies by learners of Hindi as a heritage/foreign language, and language teacher professional development.