LLF Speaks

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... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa3ZabFlzdnhaclZCOUVQVUZnWFozSnFRT3Nfd3xBQ3Jtc0trbTBlVnBuckpVeGc1WW1oTmRmcm1NMUV6c3F2RXhfX3c4ZHR0Qm1LMC1zekhKSERlNGtxRGtUYlVXZDgzODVuYU4xaGxDZFdSdXM4MjlJczg0cWtxSElFNDgzSnYwTEt6eVI1M0hReDZTWUpjUV9MTQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Flanguageandlearningfoundation.org%2F&v=auHgiFEO5hA]  LinkedIn: / language-and-learning-foundation   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbnNqenNVanVYTUJuVHd3dHVyZTNUUXN1eF9td3xBQ3Jtc0tuWFlGWG9uRHpJRlpnbFYzTE91ZGZFWl9pdGYtdWEzbzc5Ukljeng4eWJWREExd1BoUTFsdGNiVi1LVzZoeWlRcEtSYXc0Zjc0djBEUV9NZ3ROZmtsRkJOdnUzRWVsMnh6elZZc2FDd1QyV0dhelFubw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fcompany%2Flanguage-and-learning-foundation%2F&v=auHgiFEO5hA]  Instagram:  / llf_ig   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbmZrcmpTV0ZLaUdxZzNub3V1NEJCbFRqQVdEd3xBQ3Jtc0trWGk5UjdRMkdUM0o3enFWdEhVcmxKaERvY1E1VWtmVEI4azNFRFlETkk2akNnMWZaamppWnRjUWd2Vkg0c0Nva3A3Z2xLcUZkLWdULUlfSVM4T01NSldIYUJzYXg5ZUNZT3J1Y2VRMXRrcUc2SnplYw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fllf_ig%2F&v=auHgiFEO5hA]  Facebook:   / languageandlearningfoundation   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa0VqN1RjV1pzdEY0eWE0c2JzN2pYMzNvaloxUXxBQ3Jtc0tuZjd0WGo1ZE5aLVNpSHAtV2V0MGlNeU90a1B1dXJKb1U4QXdHNkRFa0tnWnFaUHV0RTNic3dtVFFlRmRRVDZtS0lVdnZMdkVIdE9LbTVBaEtQclg0LWdGNnZkU21uV3ktN1d1ZmVsLUhZWHczc25Pcw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FLanguageAndLearningFoundation%2F&v=auHgiFEO5hA]  X: https://x.com/LLF_edu [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa0h0V1FnVTFGcmprb3k1LWVNaF9NT3ZNbUROZ3xBQ3Jtc0trc1A2b20wWXZNSFAzalNRLXBvSEJsUEVQODkxYkdUdkROR0VMXzZlVFVhLW51ZGlwYVd2dkZibldtNHJybzh1eTlON1BqOW5hd1pQOWR2UmtacTNhcW9nUWxZSUdJR3pLRF9vV2RpQ1BnaUpnaVZKVQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2FLLF_edu&v=auHgiFEO5hA]

S2 Episode 2: Unpacking Foundational Literacy | Dr. Shailaja Menon | Ramesh Chandra

What does it take to build strong foundations in literacy where children not only learn to read, but read with fluency, understand meaning, develop vocabulary, and express themselves through writing? How can everyday classroom practices bring these elements together in a coherent and engaging way? In Episode 2 of LLF Speaks Season 2, Dr Shailaja Menon, Consultant, Education Portfolio at Tata Trusts, joins Ramesh Chandra, Director, Academics at the Language and Learning Foundation, to discuss how evidence-based teaching–learning practices can support children in building reading fluency, comprehension, vocabulary and writing skills in an integrated manner. The conversation explores the foundations of literacy development, the role of emergent literacy, and the importance of a print rich environment in early classrooms. It also reflects on how children’s literature can be used to deepen reading engagement, and how structured and creative writing experiences can support children in expressing their ideas with clarity. Designed for teacher trainers and academic leads, with insights for school leaders and practitioners, this episode brings together research and practice to focus on what effective literacy instruction looks like in the classroom. Know more about LLF: Website: https://languageandlearningfoundation... [https://languageandlearningfoundation.org/]  [https://languageandlearningfoundation.org/] LinkedIn:   / language-and-learning-foundation   [https://www.linkedin.com/company/language-and-learning-foundation/]  [https://www.linkedin.com/company/language-and-learning-foundation/] Instagram:  [https://www.instagram.com/llf_ig/]  / llf_ig   [https://www.instagram.com/llf_ig/]  [https://www.instagram.com/llf_ig/] Facebook:   / languageandlearningfoundation   [https://www.facebook.com/LanguageAndLearningFoundation/]  [https://www.facebook.com/LanguageAndLearningFoundation/] X: https://x.com/LLF_edu [https://x.com/LLF_edu]

S2 Episode 1: Why Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) should be a national priority? Benjamin Piper

A conversation with Benjamin Piper (Director, Global Education Program, Gates Foundation) and Dhir Jhingran (Founder and Executive Director, Language and Learning Foundation) Why Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) should be a national priority? In this opening episode of Season 2, we begin with the ‘why’. Even as school enrolment has expanded globally, millions of children complete primary school without learning to read with understanding or use numbers meaningfully. This foundational learning crisis has serious consequences for equity, economic growth, and social progress. In conversation with Benjamin Piper, Director, Global Education Program, Gates Foundation, and Dhir Jhingran, Founder and Executive Director, Language and Learning Foundation, the episode explores the scale of the global learning crisis, what foundational literacy and numeracy truly mean, and why getting these basics right in the early years has lifelong impact. The discussion also looks at the vision behind India’s NIPUN Bharat Mission and how a system-wide focus on foundational learning is central to education reform. This episode sets the stage for a season that asks what it will take, in policy, practice, and systems, to ensure that every child learns the foundations well. Know more about LLF: Website: https://languageandlearningfoundation... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbWF2cld6WHdCY0R6TTJUaEFNU05nM0pKSTNTQXxBQ3Jtc0trVEJKYUR6S2VJcExhMFFCYTc5Yk5wS2tZODFzbENzYlVHdU1QbUU0ajJTNG1KbXM5MDVjUjN2dlB5WTNYREFPTGNJeVZveE80YjRSc1FSVFZRYWRTV2QtdnlaR0JJLTRRZnUwb2xTd0NNcHJaNmRDaw&q=https%3A%2F%2Flanguageandlearningfoundation.org%2F&v=pBhjzpm6uOA]  LinkedIn:  / language-and-learning-foundation   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbWNvSTk4dlNpOUZhZWpQUmdFaXlJV2VLMUNkZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsOFJoaUVjMmthMnRQTU9mQVVfNmhmSW5lTmxLX0VhZk0tTjhyeExRVlY2akJfNDBZd3Y4SDdGOUV4V1paZExaVnRaQlo4SExxeHI0X3JxU0xYUUl3WURqaWJlTThFbUhtQUdnVTRCSmJvSGdZQlcwNA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fcompany%2Flanguage-and-learning-foundation%2F&v=pBhjzpm6uOA]  Instagram:  / llf_ig   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbVJLeks3eXN6LVIzSkRqUE53bVJkZWlydHY5QXxBQ3Jtc0ttOERTRHFjZHlXa214LVZoRWNCQjRKZVhxZzZPMnZjUFJLQmV6UTcxTExtdS1pVnQ3b2YxTU5jYUExNTRDLTFtWjVEUDNGUUpyZzBZWkFUcERTdVlpNzkxd0VRM1liOUpmNlFQNnBNcDdTRi1hX0lNZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fllf_ig%2F&v=pBhjzpm6uOA]  Facebook:  / languageandlearningfoundation   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa0xPU2U1cnhxWUsxU19PX2plc1JBQnpMdXlJQXxBQ3Jtc0tuYkpfcThDZW9TYWt2Z1JLMkNONXRiZkZhMzZ6dnFDTzdCWnFSMkhBZjNxVFdTYkdpZzhGN1FzSzBVTnBVWGhrRDZZVzN5Nms4eGNDdHlRc2RhTVVOVlZFUGQtTnJ0eFNNdUFOYVMtRzF3SjlNbkU5TQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FLanguageAndLearningFoundation%2F&v=pBhjzpm6uOA]  X: https://x.com/LLF_edu [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbkgwbjlDV2ZyU2pRQ1ZZNnJoS3hhZTkycWVGd3xBQ3Jtc0tua0lnZDB4Ui02NUhKVi1ydUFyaGxqWmVkR3Ftb29EdWdtamx6MG82MWZQYTJDMGhFN0diOXdKWVI5bnNBNGN5NmVLbG5WaTlRdE5MQkI5RW8zcHNrTl9sVmVjWDhaM0RneW5JMW9teGV4MWJEaEx6WQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2FLLF_edu&v=pBhjzpm6uOA]

Episode 10: Surendra Pratap Shah, Block Education Officer, (BEO), Naugarh, Uttar Pradesh

In our last episode of Season 1, Surendra Pratap Shah, dedicated educator and Block Education Officer from Naugarh shares his experiences from over two decades of working at the grassroots level in school education. He speaks about the evolving educational landscape in rural areas, where students from underprivileged backgrounds are not just attending school but also progressing intellectually and socially. With the support of LLF and structured programmes like Structured Language and Numeracy (SLN), he highlights how collaborative practices between ARPs, teachers, and school leaders are improving learning outcomes. Through the conversation, Mr. Shah offers a grounded and hopeful view of foundational learning, one that thrives on community involvement, teacher collaboration, and consistent mentoring. Join us for this inspiring conversation.

Episode 9: Sanjeev Srivastava, Regional Programme Manager, Language and Learning Foundation (LLF), Uttar Pradesh

In our ninth episode, Sanjeev Srivastava, Regional Programme Manager, LLF, discusses his deep-rooted work in building inclusive, context-driven education systems in India. Drawing from decades of experience, Sanjeev reflects on how education can be reframed not as a system of control but as one of care, dialogue, and co-creation. He discusses the importance of creating safe, joyful, and democratic learning spaces for children, particularly in conflict-prone and marginalised regions. Through his work with LLF and other organisations, Sanjeev emphasises how equity in education starts with acknowledging diversity, listening to teachers, and trusting children’s ability to learn. He also shares practical insights on reimagining school systems, advocating for a shift from rigid curriculum delivery to flexible, localised learning rooted in children’s real lives. Join us for this inspiring conversation as Mr. Srivastava reveals how his work challenges conventional hierarchies in education and offers a humane and collaborative vision for transforming foundational learning in India.