Landour Language School, Mussoorie

Patrick Rogers · Oct 2nd, 2009, 06:40

Thanks all....have contacted the Language school, basically what they said was to book a room at one of the guest houses, for maybe two weeks, and then they would help me get a host family. I'm thinking staying at Roekby.

Darryl · Oct 2nd, 2009, 19:03

...actually one fellow student I know did a homestay in the area last May - he only stayed a few hours. I'd say if you are keen to do it make sure you check it out thoroughly beforehand.

I'm not sure if still correct or not but when I was at Landour Rokeby was operating purely as a boarding establishment for students going to the Woodstock school - things may've changed I'm not sure on that one....

Aishah · Oct 3rd, 2009, 00:31

It was still being used by Woodstock school when I left in mid-July. And I think it is continuing to be so.

Patrick Rogers · Oct 6th, 2009, 09:26

Ah, too bad about Roekby, it sounded like a pretty good deal, though I'll still E-mail them just too check.

Just out of curiosity, why did the one guy leave his home stay after a couple of hours. As I've said, I did do a home stay in Assam before (albeit, with fairly well off folks), and, yes, there were some things that needed getting adjusted too, like constantly being fed, and having very little time on my own, but, ultimately, it doesn’t make much sense to me to spend a lot of time in a foreign culture if one isn’t willing to make certain adjustments. Also, in Assam, there were two cute (Indian) girls staying in the house.....that's always a bonus.

Patrick Rogers · Oct 9th, 2009, 13:36

Has anbody here been to a place called Snow View Guest House, and if they have been, how was it?

Darryl · Oct 17th, 2009, 12:05

...I dont know anything about Snow View. The general impression I was left with having stayed in Landour - and my own accommodation was good - is that it can be troublesome in many ways - especially for the individual traveler. For instance the many accounts of people being evicted from the areas only hotel sometimes posted on these forums - actually happened to a group of students while I was there - a larger group from a large overseas institution wanted the place.

My friend who took the homestay - I think it was more a case of being unlucky enough to encounter a homeowner who was very authoritarian and unpleasant to deal with.

I think homestay is a great idea though for myself I wouldn't really consider it until my Hindi was much more proficient.

Hannah Bee · Oct 20th, 2009, 21:35

Hi all- and hello Darryl, if you see this, glad to know you're still out and kicking in the world! If you recall, I'm the girl who was staying down in the bazaar at Northern Stores, but I'd stayed at Kilmarnock earlier in the season and still came up for dinners and movies sometimes. Aah the kilmarnock days. Just wrote Ritesh a note, actually.
Anyway, my unsolicited thoughts, to anyone who will listen, is that apart from the excellent teachers at the school itself, there are two women who offer tuition outside the school (there are occasionally other people who offer tuition as well, but I think that Rani and Kaushal are the two mainstays). From what I understand, they are both highly worthwhile, but I took lessons with Kaushal for 2 months, and I have to say that in terms of gaining confidence with my speaking and becoming better able to just participate in a conversation, she worked wonders for me. The school taught me the grammer (actually, drilled it into my head), and Kaushal befriended me and gave me the opportunity to use my Hindi naturally everyday. I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND HER to anyone who has made their way most of the way through the book. To those at earlier stages in their learning, I would not, because she is not a professional teacher, and her written Hindi is full of mistakes, but as a conversation partner she is unbeatable. Her accent is extremely clear and she is incredibly friendly and engaging. Most importantly, she does NOT speak English, so you're forced to make the Hindi work for you somehow. I went from not being able to really manage more than basic greetings and basic questions about family with her to, in less than two months, being able to chat comfortably about all sorts of topics. She and I would often just wander around town, chatting about our lives. In fact, I would consider her my first friend in Hindi, and she and I still write letters to eachother!!
Watch out though, some people will warn you away from taking lessons with her, mainly because they will tell you she doesn't speak "good" Hindi. True, she doesn't speak 'pure' Sanskritized Hindi, but nor will 95% of people who meet in India. In fact, she will teach you ways of speaking that will stand you in better stead than some of what is taught up at the school!

Darryl · Oct 21st, 2009, 04:50

...of course I remember you Hannah - how are you and what are you doing now? Are you still studying? I recall you were doing south asian studies...perhaps going on to do another major(?). hope I haven’t that mixed up with someone else.

yes...ahh the Kilmarnock days...must seem very different now that Sarvajit has left..

I’m going back to Landour next February - just booked my flight yesterday. I have of course been thinking a bit about accommodation. Far as I know Kilmarnock still operates though it’s run by a niece of S’s - I’m not sure that I want to stay there again though - I cant imagine it’d be as good as when S was there himself to look after us and the comparison might spoil it for me. I do hope to catch up with him when I’m in Delhi.

Glad you mentioned the tutors because last time I was there I didn’t take any extra tuition outside of the school - my brain was stretched as it was! and I was thinking of Rani as a tutor this time - haven’t met her but she did come up to Kilmarnock while I was there to tutor Ethan a few times...The other lady - sounds marvelous - dont think I’m quite at the stage you outline. I think not having English to fall back on with your tutor must make a difference to the way you apply yourself to Hindi!

Thanks for the giving the benefit of your experience. (and the happy memories!)

Migs23 · Oct 22nd, 2009, 02:59

Hi Patrick

I'm going to be at the language school April-June 2010 & am interested in doing a home stay so would be interested to know if you manage to find anything! I'm finding choosing accommodation quite tough...

Maegan

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick Rogers

Ah, too bad about Roekby, it sounded like a pretty good deal, though I'll still E-mail them just too check.

Just out of curiosity, why did the one guy leave his home stay after a couple of hours. As I've said, I did do a home stay in Assam before (albeit, with fairly well off folks), and, yes, there were some things that needed getting adjusted too, like constantly being fed, and having very little time on my own, but, ultimately, it doesn’t make much sense to me to spend a lot of time in a foreign culture if one isn’t willing to make certain adjustments. Also, in Assam, there were two cute (Indian) girls staying in the house.....that's always a bonus.

Patrick Rogers · Nov 5th, 2009, 06:49

Hey Maegan

If you've gotten in touch with the Language School people, they probably gave you the same advice as they gave me: to book a guest house for a couple of weeks, and let the people at the school help you find a homestay, so that's basically my plan, as it stands now. Sounds a smidge nerve-wracking, but it is India after all. Still, if anything turns up before I leave, I'll let you know.

Aishah · Nov 5th, 2009, 13:28

I can also vouch for Rani - she can be contacted at Char Dukan shops, because she has a room there. If anyone wanted to contact Kaushal how would they do so Hannah?

I know there is also a young man who is a good tutor too - he used to come to Wolfsburn, but unfortunately I don't know his name or how one contacts him. Maybe via the Language School itself.

Oct 3rd, 2009, 00:31	#228
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 7,616	It was still being used by Woodstock school when I left in mid-July. And I think it is continuing to be so. __________________ "Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards."

Oct 20th, 2009, 21:35	#232
Hannah Bee Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: California Posts: 1	A thought on the school Hi all- and hello Darryl, if you see this, glad to know you're still out and kicking in the world! If you recall, I'm the girl who was staying down in the bazaar at Northern Stores, but I'd stayed at Kilmarnock earlier in the season and still came up for dinners and movies sometimes. Aah the kilmarnock days. Just wrote Ritesh a note, actually. Anyway, my unsolicited thoughts, to anyone who will listen, is that apart from the excellent teachers at the school itself, there are two women who offer tuition outside the school (there are occasionally other people who offer tuition as well, but I think that Rani and Kaushal are the two mainstays). From what I understand, they are both highly worthwhile, but I took lessons with Kaushal for 2 months, and I have to say that in terms of gaining confidence with my speaking and becoming better able to just participate in a conversation, she worked wonders for me. The school taught me the grammer (actually, drilled it into my head), and Kaushal befriended me and gave me the opportunity to use my Hindi naturally everyday. I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND HER to anyone who has made their way most of the way through the book. To those at earlier stages in their learning, I would not, because she is not a professional teacher, and her written Hindi is full of mistakes, but as a conversation partner she is unbeatable. Her accent is extremely clear and she is incredibly friendly and engaging. Most importantly, she does NOT speak English, so you're forced to make the Hindi work for you somehow. I went from not being able to really manage more than basic greetings and basic questions about family with her to, in less than two months, being able to chat comfortably about all sorts of topics. She and I would often just wander around town, chatting about our lives. In fact, I would consider her my first friend in Hindi, and she and I still write letters to eachother!! Watch out though, some people will warn you away from taking lessons with her, mainly because they will tell you she doesn't speak "good" Hindi. True, she doesn't speak 'pure' Sanskritized Hindi, but nor will 95% of people who meet in India. In fact, she will teach you ways of speaking that will stand you in better stead than some of what is taught up at the school!

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Oct 2nd, 2009, 06:40	#226
Patrick Rogers Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Delaware Posts: 5	Thanks all....have contacted the Language school, basically what they said was to book a room at one of the guest houses, for maybe two weeks, and then they would help me get a host family. I'm thinking staying at Roekby.

Oct 2nd, 2009, 19:03	#227
Darryl Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 96	...actually one fellow student I know did a homestay in the area last May - he only stayed a few hours. I'd say if you are keen to do it make sure you check it out thoroughly beforehand. I'm not sure if still correct or not but when I was at Landour Rokeby was operating purely as a boarding establishment for students going to the Woodstock school - things may've changed I'm not sure on that one....

Oct 6th, 2009, 09:26	#229
Patrick Rogers Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Delaware Posts: 5	Ah, too bad about Roekby, it sounded like a pretty good deal, though I'll still E-mail them just too check. Just out of curiosity, why did the one guy leave his home stay after a couple of hours. As I've said, I did do a home stay in Assam before (albeit, with fairly well off folks), and, yes, there were some things that needed getting adjusted too, like constantly being fed, and having very little time on my own, but, ultimately, it doesn’t make much sense to me to spend a lot of time in a foreign culture if one isn’t willing to make certain adjustments. Also, in Assam, there were two cute (Indian) girls staying in the house.....that's always a bonus.

Oct 9th, 2009, 13:36	#230
Patrick Rogers Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Delaware Posts: 5	Has anbody here been to a place called Snow View Guest House, and if they have been, how was it?

Oct 17th, 2009, 12:05	#231
Darryl Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 96	...I dont know anything about Snow View. The general impression I was left with having stayed in Landour - and my own accommodation was good - is that it can be troublesome in many ways - especially for the individual traveler. For instance the many accounts of people being evicted from the areas only hotel sometimes posted on these forums - actually happened to a group of students while I was there - a larger group from a large overseas institution wanted the place. My friend who took the homestay - I think it was more a case of being unlucky enough to encounter a homeowner who was very authoritarian and unpleasant to deal with. I think homestay is a great idea though for myself I wouldn't really consider it until my Hindi was much more proficient.

Oct 21st, 2009, 04:50	#233
Darryl Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 96	...of course I remember you Hannah - how are you and what are you doing now? Are you still studying? I recall you were doing south asian studies...perhaps going on to do another major(?). hope I haven’t that mixed up with someone else. yes...ahh the Kilmarnock days...must seem very different now that Sarvajit has left.. I’m going back to Landour next February - just booked my flight yesterday. I have of course been thinking a bit about accommodation. Far as I know Kilmarnock still operates though it’s run by a niece of S’s - I’m not sure that I want to stay there again though - I cant imagine it’d be as good as when S was there himself to look after us and the comparison might spoil it for me. I do hope to catch up with him when I’m in Delhi. Glad you mentioned the tutors because last time I was there I didn’t take any extra tuition outside of the school - my brain was stretched as it was! and I was thinking of Rani as a tutor this time - haven’t met her but she did come up to Kilmarnock while I was there to tutor Ethan a few times...The other lady - sounds marvelous - dont think I’m quite at the stage you outline. I think not having English to fall back on with your tutor must make a difference to the way you apply yourself to Hindi! Thanks for the giving the benefit of your experience. (and the happy memories!)

Nov 5th, 2009, 06:49	#235
Patrick Rogers Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Delaware Posts: 5	Hey Maegan If you've gotten in touch with the Language School people, they probably gave you the same advice as they gave me: to book a guest house for a couple of weeks, and let the people at the school help you find a homestay, so that's basically my plan, as it stands now. Sounds a smidge nerve-wracking, but it is India after all. Still, if anything turns up before I leave, I'll let you know.

Nov 5th, 2009, 13:28	#236
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 7,616	I can also vouch for Rani - she can be contacted at Char Dukan shops, because she has a room there. If anyone wanted to contact Kaushal how would they do so Hannah? I know there is also a young man who is a good tutor too - he used to come to Wolfsburn, but unfortunately I don't know his name or how one contacts him. Maybe via the Language School itself.