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Shishu Bharati: School of Languages and Culture of India 
Institution name:
Address: 251 Waltham Street
Lexington, MA 02421
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Extension:
Fax:
Web address: http://www.shishubharati.net/about-us/
 
Name: Jay Pandit
Title: Principal of Nashua Branch
Address: PO Box 32
Belmont,  MA  02478
Email: jay.pandit@shishubharati.org; Lexington@shishubharati.org; Nashua@shishubharati.org; Walpole@shishub
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Extension:
Fax:
Purposes and goals of the program:
Shishu Bharati, the School of Languages and Culture of India, is a non-profit educational institution with two branches located in Massachusetts and one branch located in New Hampshire. Shishu Bharati provides educational programs in Indian culture and languages for students of all ages.



The school's objective is to develop interest, knowledge, confidence and pride in Indian heritage by educating children in Indian arts, customs, languages, history, geography and current events. In addition, the curriculum consists of well-established language programs in Gujarati, Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Sindhi. Both culture and language programs are designed to teach eight different levels. The school also offers a kindergarten

class for young children. (Shishu Bharati)
Program origin:
Shishu Bharati was orginally founded by a small group of parents who immigrated to the United States from India and wanted to pass on their mother tongue and rich cultural heritage to their children. The language barrier became noticeable when the children had to communicate with relatives/friends who did not speak English, here or in India. These parents formed a small study group of children and gathered every Sunday in the home of one of the parents. Volunteers taught the group about India's cultural heritage and Indian languages. As the group grew, it moved to St. Anne School in Arlington, MA, which provided a standard learning environment. By this time, the school was a registered non-profit organization and was named Shishu Bharati School. In 1979, the school outgrew the capacity of the Arlington location, moved to Burlington until 2004, and then relocated to Lexington, which offered better facilities. To serve the New Hampshire community, Shishu Bharati opened a branch in Nashua in September of 2001. Another branch later opened in Norwood, MA, but has now moved to Walpole. On Sunday, for the past 33 academic years, Shishu Bharati has taught Indian languages and the culture of India to more than 1,000 students. The school also offers a unique cultural environment, where students, parents, teachers, and volunteers gather to make new friends, exchange ideas, and help each other. (Shishu Bharati)
Program funding:
 
Languages/dialects taught:
  • Hindi
  • Marathi
  • Other
  • Tamil
    •
    Other Language(s) taught:
    Gujarati, Telugu, Kannada, Sindhi
    Program type:  Organization-Based
    Average enrollment: 900
    Total contact hours per week: 1.5
    Times per week classes meet: 1
    When meetings take place:
    Sundays, from 10:00 am-12:30 pm, September-June
    Where meetings take place:
    Classes take places at three locations: 1. Lexington: Lexington High School, Lexington, MA 02421, 2. Nashua: Nashua High School, Nashua, MA 03062, 3. Walpole: Walpole High School, Walpole, MA 0208.
    Parents' or guardians' expectations of the program:
    Parents' or guardians' involvement in the program:
    Parents are active partners in the learning process, because they can encourage their children to speak and practice their native language at home. Parents are also requested to participate in dicussions with their children about topics covered in the culture class.
    Instructors' expectations of the program:
    Number of instructors in the program
    Full-time instructors:
    Part-time instructors:
    Volunteer instructors:
    Languages in which instructors are proficient:
    Educational backgrounds and credentials of instructors
    (e.g., diploma, bachelor's, master's, doctorate, certificate):
    1. Teachers are selected through an interview process, 2. The school principal is the final authority on the selection of teachers, 3. Selection criteria include, but are not limited to: knowledge to teach the subject, motivation to serve as a volunteer, willingness to commit for at least an academic year, and alignment with Shishu Bharati vision and goals.
    Professional development opportunities instructors have:
    Professional development opportunities instructors need:
    Students' expectations of the program:
    Student background
    First-generation immigrants:
    Second-generation immigrants:
    Third-generation immigrants:
    Children of interethnic marriages:
    Children of interethnic adoption:
    Indigenous students:
    Others:
    Students' countries of origin:
    How the program identifies heritage language speakers:
    Average enrollment: 900
    Approximate percentage of students who complete the program:
    Approximate percentage of students who continue to study the heritage language after completing the program:
    Possible reasons that students continue to study the heritage language after completing the program:
    Each year 30-40 students graduate from the program. Alumni often come back to serve as student volunteers.
    Total contact hours per week: 1.5
    Times per week: 1
    Student grouping (e.g., proficiency level, grade, age):
    Levels 1-8, based on proficiency
    Language skills taught in the program (e.g., reading, writing, speaking, and listening):
    Reading, Writing, Speaking
    Aspects of culture included in the program (e.g., history, literature, traditions):
    Literature, Dance, Music, Philosophy, Religion, History, Geography, Traditions, Festivals, Handicrafts, Architecture, Environment
    Other content taught in the program:
    Instructional methodologies used in the program:
    Levels of language proficiency reached by the end of the program (e.g., ACTFL proficiency levels, language tasks able to perform):
    Textbooks:
    Manuals and workbooks:
    Self-designed materials:
    Films, videos, and DVDs:
    Music:
    Technology:
    Standardized tests used:
    Other assessments used:
    Connections with local schools or other organizations:
    Credit received from formal education system:
    Types of support received (e.g., financial, time from parents or volunteers):
    Additional support desired:
    Challenges faced by the program:
     
    Comments:

    Click on the following links to view Shishu Bharati students:



    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oixTVG2ZgI8

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVhLhT6Mx3k

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2k_q-FeCbmI





    For a detailed description of the language and culture curriculum, check out the 2012-2013 Shishu Bharati Handbook at the following link:



    https://docs.google.com/a/shishubharati.org/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=c2hpc2h1YmhhcmF0aS5vcmd8d2VifGd4OjYwNzIzMDEyMTgxMzVmYTE&pli=1





    The Shishu Bharati profile was created by Mahida Bachu on April 30, 2013.

    Updated by Carmen Winkler on 10/27/2017