In a classroom in rural Chhattisgarh, a young girl who used to only speak her home language is now confidently sharing a story in Hindi, an additional language she’s learning. Her teacher, newly trained in Multilingual Education (MLE), watches with pride, knowing this is a small but powerful step towards lifelong learning. This transformation—strong, sustained foundational learning outcomes (FLN) for every child in India—is the driving mission of the Language and Learning Foundation (LLF).
Founded in 2015 by former IAS officer and education veteran Dr. Dhir Jhingran, LLF was established to tackle India’s learning crisis at scale. Their vision is clear: All children will have strong foundational skills and abilities of language, literacy, and numeracy, thinking and reasoning in their home and in additional languages. LLF partners with state governments for systemic reform, focusing on strengthening the education machinery to implement high-quality, sustainable FLN programs.
Meet the team
Language and Learning Foundation, on LinkedIn
Dr. Dhir Jhingran, Founder and Executive Director
Nishi Suri, Founder & CEO, Brandcross Consulting
Shaveta Sharma Kukreja, CEO & Managing Director At Central Square Fondation
Comprehensive Program Approach: LLF's work is not about fragmented interventions; it is a comprehensive approach that integrates deeply with the government system. Their strategy is two-fold:
State-Level Technical Support: LLF teams co-create instructional design, culturally relevant materials, and teacher handbooks with state agencies. They build the capacity of State Resource Groups (SRGs) and orient them to train teachers and mentors, ensuring that academic reforms are institutionalized within the state structure.
District-Level Support Projects: LLF places dedicated personnel to work closely with the government system across 100-120 schools. This includes training teachers, ensuring effective supervision by mentors, and using data analysis from cluster meetings to guide follow-up actions and improve classroom practices.
Impact-Driven Focus and Scale: A core element of LLF’s work is the Multilingual Education (MLE) approach, which places a child’s home language at the centre of classroom learning to boost comprehension and learning outcomes. Their advocacy has brought this approach centre stage in FLN programming across at least three states. Furthermore, LLF is deeply committed to Equitable & Inclusive FLN, focusing on children in the bottom percentile, those in aspirational districts, tribal areas, and marginalised communities to ensure they catch up with their peers. This commitment extends to early childhood through the Balvatika program, which fosters school readiness in children aged 5–6 through integrated, play-based learning.
