LLF Speaks

Language and Learning Foundation Podcast
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Welcome to the LLF Speaks Podcast, brought to you by the Language and Learning Foundation (LLF), a system-focused and impact-driven organisation working at scale towards improving the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) outcomes of children in government primary schools in India. Since 2015, we have partnered with 10 state governments, reaching 16.2 million children and 1.08 million teachers. By 2030, we aim to reach 35 million children across India. We are committed to supporting the government's mission to ensure that all children have strong foundational skills. Visit www.languageandlearningfoundation.org to know more.

  1. Jul 9

    S2 Episode 10 | What Will Keep FLN Going | Shri Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Education

    As India builds on the momentum created by NEP 2020 and the NIPUN Bharat Mission, an important question remains: what will it take to sustain progress in foundational literacy and numeracy and ensure lasting impact? In the finale episode of LLF Speaks Season 2, What Will Keep FLN Going? Sustaining Impact Through Government Partnerships and Systemic Reform, Shri sanjay kumar, IAS, Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy, MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, joins Dhir Jhingran, Founder and Executive Director, Language and Learning Foundation, to discuss how government leadership, partnerships and system-wide reform can help sustain gains in foundational learning. The episode reflects on India's journey in making FLN a national priority and explores how strong policy direction, political commitment, financing, and aligned efforts across national, state, district and classroom levels have contributed to large-scale change. It also examines the priorities that will shape the future of foundational learning, including strengthening early childhood education, ensuring continuity of learning through the primary years, promoting multilingual education, supporting teachers through continuous professional development, and making classroom interactions more engaging and responsive to children's needs. From building stronger partnerships and support systems to investing in human capital for Viksit Bharat, the conversation explores what it will take to sustain progress and ensure that every child has the opportunity to build a strong foundation for lifelong learning. Know more about LLF: Website: https://languageandlearningfoundation... LinkedIn:  / language-and-learning-foundation   Instagram:  / llf_ig   Facebook:   / languageandlearningfoundation   X: https://x.com/LLF_edu

  2. Jul 9

    S2 | Episode 9 Driving Change through Continuous Professional Development of Teachers

    What does it take to help teachers continuously improve their practice? Can one-time training programmes change what happens in classrooms, or does meaningful professional development require ongoing support, reflection, and learning? In Episode 9 of LLF Speaks Season 2, Driving Change through Continuous Professional Development (CPD) of Teachers, Subir Shukla, Principal Coordinator of IgnusERG Education Resource Pvt. Ltd. , joins Shveta Lall (Lakhanpal) Lall, Associate Director at Language and Learning Foundation, for a conversation on strengthening teacher professional development for foundational literacy and numeracy. The episode explores why teaching in the early grades is among the most complex roles in education, and why professional development must go beyond training to include practice, feedback, mentoring, and peer learning. It also examines how stronger support systems can help teachers build both the skills and confidence needed to respond to diverse learning needs and improve classroom experiences for every child. From rethinking cascade training to creating cultures of continuous learning, the conversation explores what it takes to support teachers and drive lasting change in classrooms. Know more about LLF: Website: https://languageandlearningfoundation... LinkedIn:  / language-and-learning-foundation   Instagram:  / llf_ig   Facebook:  / languageandlearningfoundation   X: https://x.com/LLF_edu

  3. Jul 7

    S2 | Episdoe 8 Reading Between Numbers - Measuring Impact to achieve FLN Outcomes I Pranav Kothari

    What does it take to measure learning outcomes in a way that improves them? How do we move beyond scores to understand what children know and can do? And in a system as complex as FLN, how do we ensure that measurement becomes a tool for improvement, not just reporting? In Episode 8 of LLF Speaks Season 2, Reading Between Numbers, Measuring Impact to achieve FLN Outcomes, Pranav Kothari, Chief Executive Officer at Educational Initiatives, joins Dr. Mohammad Zahid Siddiqui, PhD, Senior Manager – Research, Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning at Language and Learning Foundation, for a conversation on impact measurement in foundational learning. At the centre of the discussion is a simple question: are we measuring learning in a way that helps improve it? The conversation explores how different forms of assessment, from large-scale surveys to classroom-based and diagnostic tools, can work together to better reflect how children learn and where they need support. It also reflects on how measurement shapes practice, especially the relationship between system-level accountability and classroom-level improvement, and why both need to be held in balance. A key focus of the episode is distributional learning. Beyond averages, how do we make learning gaps visible and ensure that children who are falling behind are not left out of the story? From FLN-specific assessment design to insights drawn from student responses, the episode highlights why measurement in foundational learning must go beyond numbers, and how the real story of learning often lies between them. Know more about LLF: Website: https://languageandlearningfoundation... LinkedIn:  / language-and-learning-foundation   Instagram:  / llf_ig   Facebook:  / languageandlearningfoundation   X: https://x.com/LLF_edu

  4. Jul 7

    S2 | Episode 7 Equity and FLN: Ensuring Foundational Learning for Every Child | Sunisha Ahuja

    What does it take to ensure that foundational literacy and numeracy reaches every child? Why do some children continue to be left behind despite improvements in enrolment and learning outcomes? And how can education systems design foundational learning programmes that respond to the diverse realities of children across geographies, languages, and social groups? In Episode 7 of LLF Speaks Season 2, Sunisha Ahuja, Director – Equity at Language and Learning Foundation, joins Shaiza S, Consultant – Learning Equity at Language and Learning Foundation, for an in-depth conversation on Equity and FLN: Ensuring Foundational Learning for Every Child. The episode explores why equity must be at the centre of foundational learning reforms and what it takes to ensure that every child, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to develop strong foundational literacy and numeracy skills. Drawing on national learning data, field experiences, and decades of work in education, the conversation examines the persistent barriers faced by children from tribal communities, linguistic minority groups, migrant families, low-income households, urban slums, and children with disabilities. The discussion highlights how factors such as language of instruction, classroom practices, teacher expectations, assessment systems, and programme design can either enable or hinder learning for children who need the greatest support. From creating inclusive classrooms that respond to learner diversity to strengthening teacher professional development, using children's home languages, and building systems that identify and support those who are learning the least, the episode reflects on what equitable foundational learning looks like in practice. Know more about LLF: Website: https://languageandlearningfoundation... LinkedIn:  / language-and-learning-foundation   Instagram:  / llf_ig   Facebook:   / languageandlearningfoundation   X: https://x.com/LLF_edu

  5. Jun 27

    S2 Episode 6: Strengthening Delivery: The Role of Middle-Tier Leadership | Anustup Nayak, CSF

    What does it take to ensure that foundational literacy and numeracy efforts translate into real learning gains for children at scale? How do education systems move from strong policies and well-designed programmes to meaningful change inside classrooms? And what role does the middle tier play in making that happen? In Episode 6 of LLF Speaks Season 2, Anustup Nayak, Project Director at Central Square Foundation, joins Shveta Lall (Lakhanpal) Lall, Associate Director, Continuous Professional Development at Language and Learning Foundation, for an in-depth conversation on Strengthening Delivery: The Role of Middle-Tier Leadership. The episode explores the critical role played by the middle tier in strengthening foundational learning outcomes across India. Positioned between policy and practice, the middle tier, including District Education Officers (DEO), Block Education Officers (BEO), and academic mentors (ARPs, ABRCs, CRCCs), serves as the bridge that connects system priorities with classroom implementation. Drawing from both field experiences and system-level perspectives, the conversation unpacks why strong policies, curriculum reforms, and teacher training efforts alone are not enough to improve learning outcomes at scale. The discussion examines how the effectiveness of foundational learning reforms depends significantly on how the middle tier functions through instructional leadership, academic support, classroom observation, mentoring, and continuous engagement with teachers and schools. From the realities faced by academic mentors in supporting classroom practice to the challenges district and block officials encounter in balancing administrative responsibilities with instructional leadership, the episode reflects on what it truly takes to strengthen delivery systems in education. Know more about LLF: Website: https://languageandlearningfoundation...  LinkedIn:  / language-and-learning-foundation    Instagram:   / llf_ig    Facebook:  / languageandlearningfoundation   X: https://x.com/LLF_edu

  6. Jun 15

    S2 Episode 5 Multilingual Education: Learning in the Language of Child | Dr Mahendra Mishra

    What does it mean for a child to learn in a language they truly understand? How does language shape not only comprehension, but also confidence, identity, participation, and belonging in the classroom? And what must education systems do to ensure that linguistic diversity becomes a strength rather than a barrier to learning? In Episode 5 of LLF Speaks Season 2, Padma Shri Awardee Dr Mahendra K Mishra, Trustee and National Advisor – Multilingual Education at Language and Learning Foundation, joins Smriti Mishra, Senior Manager – Multilingual Education at Language and Learning Foundation, for an in-depth conversation on Multilingual Education: Learning in the Language of the Child. The episode explores why multilingual education is foundational to equitable and meaningful learning, particularly in linguistically diverse contexts like India. Drawing from both global perspectives and field experiences across Indian classrooms, the discussion unpacks how children learn best when teaching begins in the language they speak, think, and understand at home. From the role of mother tongue-based learning in strengthening comprehension and foundational literacy to the importance of bilingual pedagogy, translanguaging, culturally relevant materials, and community participation, the conversation reflects on what effective multilingual classrooms can look like in practice. The episode also examines the challenges that continue to shape multilingual education in India — including language hierarchies, gaps in teacher preparation, lack of contextual learning materials, and the disconnect between policy and classroom realities. Importantly, the discussion highlights how multilingual education is not only about language inclusion, but also about preserving children’s identities, strengthening participation, and building more equitable systems of learning for every child. Know more about LLF: Website: https://languageandlearningfoundation...  LinkedIn:  / language-and-learning-foundation    Instagram:  / llf_ig    Facebook:  / languageandlearningfoundation   X: https://x.com/LLF_edu

  7. Jun 6

    S2 Episode 4 : Structured Pedagogy: Making Teaching Effective for FLN | Dhir Jhingran

    What does it take to move from curriculum design to meaningful classroom practice? How can structured pedagogy support teachers with clarity and consistency while still leaving space for responsiveness, reflection, and contextual adaptation? And what does it really mean to build systems that ensure every child has access to equitable learning opportunities? In Episode 4 of LLF Speaks Season 2, Dhir Jhingran, Founder and Executive Director, LLF, joins Supriya Ghosh, Lead, Literacy at LLF, for a deep dive into Structured Pedagogy: Making Teaching Effective for FLN. The conversation explores why structured pedagogy has emerged as a critical approach in addressing the global learning crisis, especially in the foundational years. From learning outcomes frameworks and lesson sequencing to teacher guides, classroom routines, mentoring structures, and continuous assessments, the episode unpacks how coherent instructional design can strengthen teaching and learning at scale. The discussion also reflects on what structured pedagogy looks like inside real classrooms, where clarity, rhythm, and responsiveness shape children’s learning experiences through guided routines, active participation, and timely support. Importantly, the episode examines common misconceptions around teacher autonomy, and how structure, when thoughtfully designed, can actually create space for meaningful teacher agency and equitable instruction. Designed for teacher educators, academic leaders, policymakers, and practitioners, this episode brings together research, field realities, and implementation insights to explore how structured pedagogy can support foundational learning systems that are both coherent and adaptable. Know more about LLF: Website: https://languageandlearningfoundation...  LinkedIn:  / language-and-learning-foundation    Instagram:  / llf_ig    Facebook:  / languageandlearningfoundation    X: https://x.com/LLF_edu

  8. May 21

    S2 Episode 3 : Unpacking Foundational Numeracy | Shubhra Chatterji | Sunil Kushwaha

    What does it take to help children not only learn numbers but also truly understand them, use them in daily life, and think mathematically with confidence? How can classroom practices move beyond procedures to build deep number sense and meaningful engagement with mathematics? In Episode 3 of LLF Speaks Season 2, Shubhra Chatterji, Director at Vikramshila Education Resource Society, joins Sunil Kushwaha, Lead, Numeracy at the Language and Learning Foundation, to unpack what strong foundations in numeracy look like in the early grades. The conversation explores how children develop early mathematical thinking, why number sense and basic operations are central to all future learning, and how structured pedagogy can support both conceptual understanding and procedural fluency. It also reflects on how classrooms can move from concrete experiences to abstract ideas through thoughtful lesson design. Drawing on field experience and evidence, the episode highlights how oral maths talk, systematic modelling, and independent practice can be brought together within a coherent lesson structure. It also discusses the role of games, real life contexts, and hands on materials such as counters, beads, sticks, or number cards in making mathematics meaningful and accessible for every child. Designed for teacher trainers and academic leads, with insights for school leaders and practitioners, this episode brings together research and classroom practice to focus on what effective numeracy instruction looks like in action. Know more about LLF:  Website: https://languageandlearningfoundation...  LinkedIn: / language-and-learning-foundation    Instagram:  / llf_ig    Facebook:   / languageandlearningfoundation    X: https://x.com/LLF_edu

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About

Welcome to the LLF Speaks Podcast, brought to you by the Language and Learning Foundation (LLF), a system-focused and impact-driven organisation working at scale towards improving the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) outcomes of children in government primary schools in India. Since 2015, we have partnered with 10 state governments, reaching 16.2 million children and 1.08 million teachers. By 2030, we aim to reach 35 million children across India. We are committed to supporting the government's mission to ensure that all children have strong foundational skills. Visit www.languageandlearningfoundation.org to know more.

Information

  • Creator
    Language and Learning Foundation Podcast
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 Language and Learning Foundation Podcast
  • Show Website
    LLF Speaks