My Research Interests

My interests are in Hindi-Punjabi literature and developing teaching materials for Punjabi and Hindi languages.  I am also interested in how culture is portrayed in movies and songs and how it has influenced the language used in media.

My Teaching Interests

Teaching is my passion. I incorporate new technology and innovative ideas in the classroom such as media, movie clips, songs, and vocabulary games to enhance students’ understanding of culture and usage of authentic language. This teaching approach also improves their contextual vocabulary and speaking skills. Additionally, I am a certified Hindi ACTFL OPI rater. I have received several grants from the University of Michigan including an LSA Instructional Technology Committee Grant in 2009  to create “Punjabi audio conversations”, an  instructional website for beginner and intermediate Punjabi students, and in 2012  for “Using Film to teach Language and Culture: Hindi and Urdu”. In 2013, I received CRLT’s Gilbert Whitaker Fund for “Using Film to teach Language and Culture: Punjabi”. I also published a book entitled “Conversational Punjabi” in 2015, providing material to enhance oral fluency.