Learning Hindi / Hindi Language Schools

Hey IndiaMikers,

I just discovered this great thread, but I haven't been able to find any information on hindi courses in Jaisalmer.

Is it possible to learn hindi in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan?

Thanks

Karenanna - I have to confess I haven't come across anyone who teaches Hindi here, but I have a feeling there is. I will make enquiries for you, but if you arrive here in the next few days my suggestion is to ask the people where you are staying, also up in the Fort area, ask some of the more settled shopkeepers, hoteliers etc. The folks who live permanently there, word of mouth is one way to find out re Hindi teachers.

Thanks Aishah, you always seem to be the one helping me out

I guess you are right - word of mouth is how things work there. I'm going there in January, so... let's see. It's very kind of you to make enquiries for me, thank you.

Joined this thread a little late but I can add some information that may be useful!

I attended a 2 week intensive at Bhasha Bharati which gave me a painful but necessary grounding in the basics of Hindi. I had already learnt the script myself (it's much more useful if you start from the beginning in devanagari rather than with transliteration). The Mishras plod through their tried and tested method with admirable momentum, but they're quite often guilty of going through the motions. If you want a way to get the fundamentals into your brain however, I'd recommend them. Learning in Varanasi only added to the intensive nature of the course!

I have recently started classes on Skype with Ali and Christoph at Zabaan (www.zabaan.com) and can only speak positively. They are both conscientious, methodical and patient teachers, with a real appreciation and enjoyment of the language. It's wonderful to be taught by people who have an interest in their subject. If you are from Europe or America it's also nice to have that familiarity (Ali is from a South Asian family, but grew up in the States and Christoph is fully American but now a fluent Hindi speaker). Learning from fully Indian teachers may well suit some people but I have to say I found it a little harder - there is a different rhythm there, as many Western visitors experience, and it's nice to be guided though the language by someone who can confidently bridge the cultural gap.

अभी मेरी हिन्दी ख़राब नहीं है। आप क्या सोचते हैं?!

I wish all those budding polyglots out there all the best with their studies!

hi Scrap2244,

This zabaan approach sounds interesting, could you tell us more about your experiences?

Can you pick your own day/time of classes? Do you use a standard textbook?

And is it one-to-one or are you in an on-line class of some kind?

thanks!

Just to follow up my previous posting... I've been having 2 lessons a week, one-to-one with Philipp at Zabaan, and I've completed about 10 classes so far.

Using skype works remarkably well, using screen-sharing so I can see what the tutor is typing into his word processor (as opposed to using a whiteboard or something).

We started off with Devanagari right away and I can read and write, albeit slowly.

Philipp is also German, and I concur with @scrap2244 ... I find it very useful to be able to discuss Hindi with him and compare it to other European languages.

The textbook we're using is 'Teach yourself Hindi' by the ubiquitous Rupert Snell, along with Simon Weightman.

My only criticism so far would be that I find this book very old-fashioned. I've studied a few languages at evening classes over the years, and there are much better books out there for German, Spanish and Japanese, for instance. The approach I prefer would combine learning everyday vocabulary and phrases alongside the grammar. That way you learn to "get by" and keep up your motivation. It's not essential to be able to grammatically analyse everything you know how to say.

The Snell and Weightman book, on the other hand, seems to be entirely driven by learning the grammar. Hence after a month of classes I don't really feel like I can have a conversation with anyone yet, although I could discuss with you -- in English -- how the endings of personal pronouns will change in the oblique case.

(update...)

Overall though I have to say it's a great experience so far, and doing one-to-one classes on Skype from home is great -- if I had to travel from work to a lesson after rush hour, and then home afterwards through the still-happening rush hour, then I think I'd probably be skipping classes by now.

Also Zabaan is a workers' co-operative and you can negotiate your fees within certain limits, which makes me feel very comfortable using their services. I guess there are lots of other places offering classes in a similar way by now -- makes a lot of sense.

जय हो!

Hey, Mungbean, are you still learning Hindi?
How are the lessons progressing?

Hi randomviolins,

Yes I'm still having the lessons, although I had a break of about 6 weeks recently when Philip moved to another job and I was on holiday.

I moved to 1 class a week after about a month because I was finding 2 classes a week a bit overwhelming. I'm now having a class with Christoph each week.

Still finding the book too grammar-oriented for my liking, but we use exercises from other texts sometimes.

I think my biggest disadvantage is that I hardly ever hear Hindi being spoken here in Bangalore, apart from a few work colleagues who are from up North. Similarly with written Devanagari - you hardly ever see it down here, but when I've travelled up North I found it helpful to try to read signs etc in the street.

I try to make up for this with listening to Hindi songs and watching Hindi movies, but I don't put a much time in during the week because I'm usually pretty exhausted when I get home from work.

Anything in particularly you wanted to ask about?

No, nothing in particular. I was just wondering if you had been able to stick with it and whether the lessons had paid off.

It is so hard to go from learning the first steps ("Hello" "Excuse me" "I would like to buy some milk") to really being able to use a language comfortably.

Well yes, I am sticking with it, but I wouldn't really say it's paid off in any way yet, apart from the enjoyment of learning a language (and reading/writing Devanagari).

I'm expecting my main pay-off will be that I've added a skill to my CV alongside the experience of being here. As I said earlier though, Hindi is not a great deal of use down here, and I will need to travel more in the North to get the real benefit of it, and to enjoy it the most.

It is very hard to go from getting-by to becoming proficient, yes. I know plenty of grammar now, but still struggle to have much of a conversation with Hindi speakers I meet. Probably down to the vocabulary I've been learning, and lack of confidence.

The reason I was hoping/suggesting that the learning would combine the formal side (grammar, vocabulary, reading, writing) with the more practical side (useful phrases and 'getting by') is that using some phrases in everyday life massively boosts your confidence and increases motivation.

And motivation is absolutely key in learning anything, especially if it's difficult!

hi all,

(Since this is a sticky thread, I guess it's best to add here rather than creating a new one...)

I'm still plugging away with the Hindi classes, and wondered if any fellow learners have any recommendations for a Grammar Reference book -- preferably something very concise, and quick and easy to use?

When I was learning German I had this brilliant pocket-sized 'BBC German Grammar' and I found it extremely well laid-out and very useful. http://www.amazon.co.uk/BBC-German-G.../dp/0563519576

Something like this would be great! I've been googling all over the place but not found anything similar to this.

Thanks!

Have you found anyone to teach you hindi in goa? i am in candolim and need a teacher. I don't want to learn the local language b/c we will be traveling around later, but are here for 5 mths now. Anyway, if you could let me know...
Thanks!

I am going to be based in Mumbai and looking to learn Hindi. I am a beginner.
Any advice?
Thanks
Beatrice