Language schools in India

rangss

DAKSHINA BHARAT HINDI PRACHAR SABHA

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...and I took the road less travelled.

llm

I just completed three wonderful months at Landour Language school. The teachers are wonderful. they will tailor classes to suit your needs. Among my favourites, Jaswinder, Girish, and Habib. Especially Habib! He likes to involve his students in conversation which is so helpful, especially if you tape your class and listen to it later. Even though the school is closed right now, (Dec 8- Feb) you can still arrange private classes with the teachers. there is always someone at the school during the week, even when classes are not officially scheduled.

ploink

llm, where did you stay in Landour (or Mussoorie)? What would you recommend?

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But rather, ten times rather, die in the surf, heralding the way to that new world, than stand idly on the shore! -Florence Nightingale

llm

I stayed at Rokeby. This is supposed to be a Christian Guest House. However, the woman who was managing it has left, and now her husband is running it. I am not a Christian, and although there were a few Christian groups who stayed there the rules that had existed previously are no longer in effect (apparently the woman used to run things with an iron fist). I really liked staying there. It was next door to the school, which is so convenient as classes are often spread out over the day, so you can go back to the guest house in between. It is also close to internet at Chartakhan, and the Sister Bazarr (a great place to get all your comfort things). The food is pretty good. They serve a good breakfast with western food (eggs, hot cereal, even pan cakes, etc), a healthy lunch -- usually Indian food, and a dinner which can vary from beef stew to sushi. The cost of a room for one person varies, but I paid 450 Rs for a double room with my own bathroom, and got a 10% discount for staying longer than 1 month. You can negotiate the price for your room with the owner (Sonam), especially if it is slow season. There is no heat in the building, and Sonam does not want anyone to have electric heaters (he wants everyone to use the gas heaters and pay Rs 50 per week extra, but they smell and don't work), but don't worry, when I was there we all snuck electric heaters in to our rooms, and Sonam was none the wiser.... And of course there are hot water bottles for your bed. The thing I liked most about Rokeby was the comraderie with all the other guests. It really had a family atmosphere, and we had such a lot of fun. Most of the guests were also students at the language school. I am returning in late May or June, so maybe I will see you there! Good luck! I am sure you will have a wonderful experience.

ploink

Thanks for the info! I suppose I need to contact several guest houses, and to ask what they can offer to me; I also plan to stay for about three months to really learn Hindi. Dev Dar Woods, Ivy Bank, Rokeby - all the guest houses have been recommended by somebody. First I thought "Dev Dar Woods it is", then "Ivy Bank it is", and now...


I think it's important to book somewhere; I may be able to change later.

llm

Hi,

Ivy Banks is more expensive than the others, and I have heard that the food is not so great. but the rooms are certainly very nice. Dev Dar is close to Sister Bazaar and just a little further walk than Rokeby to the school. It is about the same price and serves only Indian food. So if you like Indian food alot, then that is great. As far as the rooms go, they are about the same as Rokeby. Having spent almost four months at the school, and Rokeby and having met a lot of the students staying at various guesthouses, I came to the conclusion that Rokeby was the best -- again just for the reason that the environment seemed to promote a friendlier and more cohesive atmosphere. At the school, we were referred to as the 'Rokeby Gang' by the teachers. I didn't hear any other guest house being referred to in the same way. But you are right, you have to settle on one and then make up your own mind. Good luck.

ploink

Thanks again, llm, I really appreciate your opinion. I just wrote to Dev Dar Woods, Ivy Bank, and Rokeby - to have their opinion on themselves: rooms, rates,... On the basis of what you have told, the atmosphere in Rokeby really appears to have changed (for the better), so I contacted them too. The rates matter, you're right. I don't have a big budget, and I'd also like to travel in India (to visit friends) after I've finished school. I can do with less nicety if I get it with less money.

decamped

Hi IMers!

I haven't got anything useful to contribute yet, but I wanted to introduce myself since I'm planning on spending my summer at LLS too... right now my plan is May through the end of July.

Haven't figured out which boarding house I want to stay at yet, but all of the information on here has been really helpful.

Anyone know if certain boarding houses are more vegetarian-friendly than others?

llm

Devdar is totally veg, as it serves only Indian food. Rokeby will provide veg meals, and vegan too if you ask. The veg meals at Rokeby were really good, a whole range of international cuisine (as were the non-veg too), and often we preferred the veg meals to the regular ones.

onajourney

Devdar doesn't serve only Indian food. They also serve great pizzas along with spaghetti for dinner. Lunch is always Indian. At breakfast, you can get waffles or toast.

llm

Sorry, I understood from other guests who stayed there this fall that it was all Indian. I stand corrected.

boundlesstraveler

Ivy Bank serves mostly veg food. And you can order whatever you want. But then again, Ivy Bank is slightly more expensive than the other places and the food is not that good.

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"You have to take risks. We will only understand the miracle of life fully when we allow the unexpected to happen." ~ Paulo Coelho

belle

Hey all-
I posted on another thread earlier but then just found this one. I basically just decided to do Landour if there is still room in June (the principal wrote back and said they were pretty booked). I am a grad student and have taken Hindi for three semesters- does anyone know if there are mostly beginners or if there are some intermediate students there too? Also, I'm looking for a place to stay but they may be booked. Any comments on which is better- Devdar or Ivy Banks? Which is closer to the school/in a better location? Thanks!

Michele

llm

Most people who go to Landour are beginners, but they will tailor the program to suit your needs. You get private lessons so just tell the teachers what you want. I know of one student who is returning next week and she is taking advanced lessons. It will be quite busy so book ahead. You may only get two classes a day because of the heavy load of students, but there are also some pretty good tutors around. I am also a grad student and will be returning to Landour the same time as you. I am staying at Rokeby which is next door to the school. A lot of people are frightened off from there because it is/was a Christian guest house. I am not Christian, and found it was ok. The original manager who was quite strict is no longer there. It was a nice accomodation with nice people staying there. Anyhow, I hope to see you at Landour in June.

belle

Booked a room at Ivy Bank (Devdar was full) starting around June 9 (beginning date is not set yet). Is anyone going to Landour around this time? llm when will you be arriving?

Also can someone tell me about getting from Delhi to Dehra Dun- heard there are trains, but I see two- very early in morning which could be complicated when coming from the US. Any advice?