Apart from the language barrier that vernacular solutions can eradicate, there are many other benefits that users and service providers can leap by offering them. Let’s look at some key reasons and benefits of have EdTech solutions with vernacular:
Better Conceptual Understanding
The best learning happens when communication is seamless. One key element that provides for effective communication is language. Hence, when the user gets to learn from the language of their choice, learning happens effectively. Language and learning are interlinked, and it is essential that the language used in education must meet the learner’s expectation.
Conceptual understanding that is delivered in a regional language is extraordinary. Edtech platforms that acknowledge this and deliver content to the user in regional languages will be the next thing in the industry. Understanding, acknowledging and providing for the diverse user base can make your solution the preferred one among many offering the same solution. This multilingual approach to online education should not be limited to formal education but must be extended to skilling and training platforms. This will address the language barrier’s concern in learning and help learners from diverse backgrounds learn and grow dynamically.
With Increasing Internet Consumption Vernacular Solutions Can Make Quality Tech Available for All
Increased internet penetration has made it possible for consumers to access social media platforms easily. Almost everyone with a smartphone is using social media platforms. In such a scenario, platforms like YouTube are offering them the information and knowledge they’re seeking. Vernacular learning content has been a due demand by users, and edtech platforms can take this opportunity to create and offer this regional language content to users through YouTube channels.
To Capitalise and Provide Solutions for Regional Language User Base
People are more tech-savvy than they were before. There has been a swift shift to online activities. More and more people rely on and prefer online education, payments, shopping or anything that they can do online. Especially education, in times pandemic, forced us t make the shift, people have now embraced online learning and find it comfortable to do online courses. Video content is the most consumed content nowadays, and the regional language user base dominates video viewership in India. This domination of regional language content consumption is expected to grow extensively in future. Consumers are comfortable with the content in their regional language, and this preference and consumption are evident in Tier II and Tier III cities. Over some time, if the regional language content is made available to a user base that prefers and demands it, quality education could be made accessible for all.
Personalised Touch
It is essential to provide learners with content in the vernacular dialect of their choice. This option not only provides them with the ease of learning, but adds to the effectiveness of it. Learning from a language that you’re most familiar with brings a personalised approach to education and helps the learner understand it many folds better. Multilingual access to learning will eliminate the language barrier, helping millions learn whatever they want to, equipping them with skills that will shape the future.
Voice and Vernacular Is Going to Be the Next Wave
Mixing vernacular wave with the voice content holds excellent potential and will be the next level technology for the consumers. This will address the regional language user base’s learning needs and change the game for companies targeting semi-literate people, increasing their business. With this, brands would be able to take up a two-way communication strategy, with vernacular being one crucial part. This could be a fantastic strategy to increase engagement, catch the audience’s attention and start a dialogue with the clients.
Finally, To Challenge the Stereotype of Education Considered Regressive or Low Standard in Regional Language
Education in vernacular has been proven to be more effective for learners. Most regional languages make up as mother tongue as children pick up that language from their parents and their environment naturally. It has been proven that kids who learn in their mother tongue develop critical thinking better. Globalisation has made us all connected, and to communicate effectively, the need for learning multiple languages arises. In India, children learn three languages from the beginning. English- the professional language, Hindi – the national language and third- the state’s regional language or their mother tongue. In some cases, their mother tongue could be different from their regional langue, and kids would be learning both of these along with Hindi and English since they started communication.
The sheer ignorance of neglecting and looking down at regional languages is finally ending. We must restore and save our regional languages. To address the concern, the NEP 2020 includes the home language, mother tongue, local language and regional language as options for the medium of instruction.
Another post on The Hindu about teaching science in regional languages quotes K Vijay Raghavan, the principal scientific advisor to India’s Government, says, “In making English the sole language of intellectual discourse in science and technology in India, we have lost on many fronts. Your own language roots you to your society and environment and allows you to use your imagination in a manner that a second language does not.”
It’s time that the EdTech industry also addresses the need and demand for vernacular content. By doing so, they can easily tap on the market that has been looking for the comfort and content of their choice for their learning needs.
