The Power of Multilingualism

The Power of Multilingualism

In a small village in Maharashtra, 12-year-old Anjali sits under a banyan tree, her notebook open to a page filled with Hindi, Marathi, and English phrases. Her eyes light up as she practices a Hindi poem, then switches to an English story her teacher shared. Anjali dreams of becoming a doctor, and she knows that mastering these languages will open doors to opportunities far beyond her village. Her story is not unique—millions of children across India navigate a linguistic journey, living and experiencing together local, national, and global languages and cultures to shape their future. But why does multilingualism matter, and how can India harness its linguistic diversity to empower its youth?

The Historical Roots of Multilingualism: A Global and Indian Perspective

Language learning has been a cornerstone of human civilization, driven by the need to connect, trade, and understand. In ancient India, scholars formalized Sanskrit grammar, while traders along the Silk Route blended Persian, Greek, and Prakrit to negotiate deals. Multilingualism was not a luxury but a necessity in a land where hundreds of languages coexisted. The Mauryan Empire used multiple scripts to communicate across its vast territories creating a cultural mosaic that still resonates today.

Globally, multilingualism flourished in hubs like Alexandria, where Greek, Egyptian, and Latin mingled, or in medieval Europe, where Latin was the lingua franca of scholars, but vernaculars like French and German gained ground. The need for multilingualism grew with exploration and colonization—European powers learned local languages to govern colonies, while colonized peoples mastered imperial tongues for survival and resistance. In India, British rule introduced English as a tool of administration, sparking debates about its role versus native languages, a tension that persists today.

Over time, language learning evolved from informal exchanges to structured education. The 19th century saw the rise of grammar-translation methods, focusing on rote memorization, while the 20th century brought immersive techniques like the Berlitz Method, emphasizing conversation. In India, the Three-Language Formula, introduced in 1968, aimed to balance regional languages, Hindi, and English, reflecting the country’s linguistic diversity and unity. Yet, implementation varied, with southern states resisting Hindi and urban schools prioritizing English, highlighting the complex interplay of politics and identity.

Why Multilingualism Matters in India

India is a linguistic treasure trove, with 22 scheduled languages, over 19,500 dialects, and a constitution that recognizes diversity as a strength. The National Education Policy (NEP), and recent state-level policies like Maharashtra’s mandate to make Hindi the third language in schools, underscore the importance of multilingualism. But which languages should students learn, and is a foreign language more critical than local ones?

The Case for Regional and National Languages

For students like Anjali, learning the mother tongue—Marathi in her case—builds cognitive foundations and cultural identity. Research shows that children taught in their home language perform better academically, as they grasp concepts more easily and transfer skills to other languages. The NEP 2020 emphasizes mother tongue instruction in primary years, citing studies like those from UNESCO, which found that students in mother tongue programs are more likely to stay in school and excel.

Hindi, as India’s most widely spoken language, serves as a bridge across states. Maharashtra’s new policy, approved on April 17, 2025, mandates Hindi as a third language to foster national unity and mobility. Hindi connects us to our shared heritage and equips students for opportunities across India. Yet, this move has sparked debate, with critics arguing it marginalizes local languages like Marathi or Tamil in other states, echoing historical resistance to Hindi imposition in the south.

English remains a global gateway, offering access to higher education, technology, and jobs. A 2018 survey on the Teaching of Foreign Languages found that 90% of U.S. employers value employees with non-English skills, a trend mirrored in India’s IT and corporate sectors. However, overemphasizing English can alienate students from their roots, as seen in urban schools where children struggle with regional languages.

Should Students Learn Foreign Languages?

Foreign languages like Mandarin, French, or German are gaining traction in India, driven by globalization. Mandarin is critical for trade with China, India’s largest trading partner, while French opens doors to opportunities in Africa and Europe. The NEP encourages foreign language learning in secondary schools, but is it more important than local languages? Not necessarily. While foreign languages enhance global competitiveness, regional languages ground students in their identity and community. A balanced approach—mastering the mother tongue, Hindi, and English, with a foreign language as an elective—maximizes both local and global opportunities.

Recommended Languages for Indian Students

• Mother Tongue (e.g., Marathi, Tamil, Bengali): Builds cognitive and cultural foundations.

• Hindi: Facilitates national communication and job mobility.

• English: Essential for global education and careers.

• Foreign Language (Optional): Mandarin for trade, French for diplomacy, German for engineering, depending on career goals.

How to Learn a Language.

Learning a language is both an art and a science. Traditional methods like grammar-translation have given way to immersive approaches, but what works best? Experts advocate a blend of strategies tailored to the learner’s age and context.

Effective Language Learning Methods

1. Immersion and Contextual Learning: Surround yourself with the language through media, conversations, or travel. For example, watching Marathi films or reading Hindi comics can make learning fun and natural.

2. Task-Based Learning: Engage in real-world tasks, like writing a letter in English or ordering food in Hindi, to build practical skills.

3. Technology-Driven Tools: Apps like Duolingo or AI-powered tutors provide personalized feedback. A 2023 study found that AI-mediated language instruction improved English learning outcomes by 30% compared to traditional methods.

4. Code-Switching: In multilingual classrooms, blending languages (e.g., explaining a Hindi word in Marathi) enhances understanding.

Tricks for Rapid Learning

• Spaced Repetition : Review vocabulary at increasing intervals (e.g., 1 day, 3 days, 7 days) to cement memory.

• Mnemonics : Create vivid associations, like linking “gato” (Spanish for cat) to a cat wearing a hat.

• The 80/20 Rule : Focus on the 20% of words used 80% of the time. For Hindi, learn high-frequency words like “kya” (what) or “kaise” (how).

• Shadowing : Listen to native speakers and repeat immediately to mimic pronunciation and rhythm.

  
  

The Role of Schools: Compulsory or Voluntary?

Should schools mandate multiple languages or offer them as electives with incentives? India’s NEP 2020 advocates a flexible Three-Language Formula, where students learn two Indian languages and English, with the option to switch languages in Grade 6 or 7. Maharashtra’s Hindi mandate, however, makes it compulsory, raising questions about choice versus obligation.

Compulsory Learning: Pros and Cons

• Pros: Ensures all students gain multilingual skills, fostering national unity and employability. Karnataka’s two-language policy, initially resisted, improved student performance after teacher training and community engagement.

• Cons: Overburdens students and teachers, especially in resource-scarce rural schools. Only 10% of Indian schools offer instruction in multiple local languages, highlighting logistical challenges.

  
  

Offering languages as electives with incentives—like scholarships, cultural exchange programs, or career counseling—motivates students without coercion. For example, CBSE schools offering French or German often tie these to international certifications, boosting enrollment. However, voluntary programs risk unequal access, as elite schools may prioritize foreign languages while rural schools lack resources.

Global Practices:

• Developed Countries: In Europe, the Erasmus+ program promotes early language learning, with 15-year-olds assessed via PISA’s Foreign Language Assessment. Finland’s schools teach Swedish and English alongside Finnish, using Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) to blend language with subjects like science.

• Underdeveloped Countries: In South Africa, English is often the medium of instruction despite diverse home languages, leading to lower academic outcomes. UNESCO advocates mother tongue instruction in early years, as seen in Ethiopia’s Amharic-based primary education, which improves retention.

Are Indian Schools Teaching Languages Effectively?

Many Indian schools rely on outdated rote-learning methods, with teachers undertrained in multilingual pedagogy. Teachers often lack permission to use home languages, hindering comprehension. For maximum advantage, schools should:

• Adopt Bilingual Classrooms: Use the mother tongue to explain concepts, transitioning to Hindi or English.

• Train Teachers: Equip educators with multilingual strategies.

• Leverage Technology: Use AI tools and interactive apps to personalize learning.

• Integrate Culture: Incorporate storytelling, music, and films.

Policymakers see multilingualism as a tool for cognitive, social, and economic growth. Multilingual children excel in problem-solving and memory retention. Economically, multilingualism meets the demand for a global workforce—90% of U.S. employers value language skills, a trend relevant to India’s outsourcing industry. Socially, it supports inclusivity, reducing marginalization of linguistic minorities.

Language policies are also politically charged. Maharashtra’s Hindi mandate aligns with the government’s push for Hindi as a national link language, but critics argue, it sidelines regional identities. Policymakers defend such moves as unifying, but detractors see them as centralizing power, marginalizing non-Hindi speakers. The NEP’s flexibility aims to defuse these tensions by allowing states and students to choose languages, but implementation remains uneven.

Multilingualism:

Multilingualism is a cognitive superpower. A 2017 study found that bilingual brains are more flexible, with enhanced planning, memory, and task-switching abilities. Children exposed to multiple languages from age four months can differentiate them, building neural pathways that boost resilience against cognitive decline. Multilingualism also fosters empathy and cultural awareness, as students like Anjali connect with diverse communities through language.

However, challenges exist. Children with language delays may struggle with multiple languages, but research shows that quality exposure—through rich conversations and reading—mitigates delays, matching monolingual peers in vocabulary. The key is supportive environments, not reducing language exposure.

The Future of Language Learning:

The future of language learning is bright, driven by technology and Asia’s growing influence. AI-powered tools with its multilingual capabilities, offer instant translations and personalized tutoring, making learning accessible. A 2023 study showed AI improved English learning by 30% in EFL classrooms, a model India can adopt. Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) will create immersive language environments, simulating markets in Mumbai or cafes in Paris.

Asia’s economic rise, particularly China and India, will elevate Mandarin and Hindi as global languages. By 2030, Mandarin is projected to rival English in business, while Hindi’s media influence—through movies and digital content—will grow. Indian students mastering these, alongside English, will lead in global trade and diplomacy.

• Personalized Learning: AI can tailor lessons to individual paces, reducing dropout rates in rural schools.

• Cultural Integration: Language apps can blend cultural contexts, like Marathi folk tales or Hindi poetry, preserving heritage.

• Global Collaboration: Online platforms can connect Indian students with peers in Europe or Africa, fostering cross-cultural fluency.

• Policy Evolution: India’s NEP will inspire other nations, with bilingual models adopted in Africa and Southeast Asia.

This future promises inclusivity, where every child, from Anjali’s village to urban Delhi, can access quality language education, bridging local and global divides.

Practical Advice

For Parents

• Start Early: Expose children to multiple languages through songs, stories, and conversations from age 2–8, when their brains are most receptive.

• Create a Language-Rich Home: Read bilingual books, watch regional films, or play language games like “I Spy” in Hindi and English.

• Support School Efforts: Advocate for teacher training and multilingual resources at your child’s school. Join parent-teacher associations to push for NEP-aligned curricula.

• Balance Languages: Encourage the mother tongue alongside Hindi and English to maintain cultural roots and global skills.

For Teens

• Set Goals: Want to study abroad? Learn French or German. Eyeing tech? Try Mandarin. Align languages with your dreams.

• Use Apps: Download Duolingo or Memrise for 15-minute daily practice. Follow Hindi or Marathi creators on YouTube for fun immersion.

• Join Language Clubs: Start or join school clubs to practice with peers, like debating in English or poetry in Hindi.

• Travel Virtually: Explore foreign cultures through online exchanges or VR apps to make languages come alive.

Parents, be your child’s first language teacher—fill your home with words, stories, and dreams. Teens, embrace languages as keys to your future, unlocking doors to colleges, careers, and cultures. Together, demand schools and policymakers prioritize multilingual education, ensuring every child has the tools to shine. Languages are the medium of education, not the education itself. Let’s make that medium vibrant, inclusive, and empowering.

To Anjali and millions like her: Your ability to speak Marathi, Hindi, and English is not just a skill—it’s a superpower. Each word you learn builds bridges to new worlds, from your village to the global stage. Parents, every story you read, every song you sing, plants seeds for your child’s future. Embrace India’s linguistic diversity as a gift, help create a generation that speaks, dreams, and thrives in many tongues. The world is waiting—start speaking today!