We offer Language classes for children enrolled in the Bala Vihar program. The language classes are conducted in the interval between the AM and PM Bala Vihar sessions.
The language class curriculum is designed to enable children to communicate with members of their extended family, particularly elders, in their native language, and thereby develop stronger bonds with them.
Language Classes Offered
Hindi, Telugu, Tamil and Gujarati classes are offered either online or In-person on Saturday and Sunday. The minimum grade level for children to enroll in language classes is Grade 1.
Please note the offering of language classes may be adjusted subject to enrollment and availability of qualified volunteer teachers.
2023-24 Language Classes
| Language | Day | Timings | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hindi Language Class | Sunday | 12 pm – 1 pm | Online |
| Hindi Language Class( Beginner Class) | Sunday | 12 pm – 1 pm | In-Person |
| Telugu Language Class | Saturday | 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm | Online |
| Tamil Language Class | Sunday | 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm | Online |
| Gujarati Beginner Language Class | Tuesday | 7:00 pm – 7:45 pm 7:50 pm – 8:35 pm | Online |
| Gujarati Intermediate Language Class | Wednesday | 8:30 pm – 9:15 pm | Online |
The primary emphasis in the language classes offered is on spoken language. At the basic level, children are taught simple words – words used in daily life, words about family relations, classic rhymes, poems, and games with languages. As children learn the basic words, they are introduced to reading and writing alphabets and scripts. Once they are comfortable with the alphabets they move on to compound letters, word formation, and reading simple sentences. As children master the basics, they are introduced to the cultural significance of the language and the geography of the region where it is used.
For each language, children are grouped into classes on the bases of language proficiency and age, while maintaining class size at an optimum level. Active participation of children in the class is encouraged to foster learning; parents are requested to assist as needed. Children are assessed for progress through tests and promoted to intermediate or advanced classes as appropriate and available.
Curriculum for all levels
Textbooks are approved by the Govt of India, the National Council of Educational Research & Training (NCERT). Each level involves a thorough coverage of selected chapters, exercises, and accompanying handouts and homework material.
For each level, the child must have
- Hindi Paathshala (Binder), provided free of charge to new students for the first time only, can be purchased if lost
- NCERT Textbooks (Bala Bharti, Rim Jhim)
- Teach Yourself Hindi by Mohini Rao
- English to Hindi Dictionary
- Hindi to English Dictionary
All of the above are available for purchase. Handouts and other texts provided by the teacher. For information on Hindi Classes, please email hindi@chinmayam.org
Children MUST bring all Hindi Paathshala binders, books, dictionaries, writing material to class EVERY TIME.
- Build your own Dictionary: A guide to conversation.
- Grammar included in the respective text.
- Hindi as a means to introduce students to some basic History and geography of India.
In addition please note that students arriving later will be asked to stay upstairs.
Level Specific Curriculum
- Dictionary building
- The default homework for each class is what is in the back of each lesson.
- Introduction to simple sentences, number counting, days of week, months of year etc.
- Word reorganization from the respective text books reading and writing.
- Teachers will reinforce throughout the curriculum – all levels
- Buy a marble notebook for your child. Name it as Dictionary for self-improvement. Each child must write down all the words that he /she knows so far.
Class Test and certificates
The SECOND weekend of each month is set aside for Exams in class. It will cover lessons taught in that month. Teachers will prepare exams ahead of time. Exams will not be repeated. Students will be awarded certificates of participation of the level completed. If two levels are completed in a given year then both levels will be indicated on the certificate. For students that complete three or more levels, the certificate will indicate participation in two of the higher levels.
2. Hindi Paathshala is approved by Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) for elective Hindi (Outside Language/Culture) credit. This requires 80% attendance (punctuality and presence), 80% or greater score in 80% of exams offered to students in 9-12 grade. Each year 0.5 credit is posted to the student’s transcript for the 4 years of High School. Since this is a requirement, ALL students must adhere to the expectations. There are NO EXCEPTIONS.
Information for Parents of all levels
ATTENDANCE RULES: Any unexcused absence from the class will not be acceptable. No more than three excused absences from the class are allowed for the school year. It is the responsibility of the parent to contact the respective teacher(s) directly for any excused absence. You may do so by sending email hindi@chinmayam.org. The student will be removed from the curriculum after 3 absences
Hindi Textbooks (Available from Book Store for Hindi Paathshala students only)
- Bala Bharti, 1-5, Rim Jhim- Part 1, 2 and 3
- Conversational Hindi – Teach Yourself Hindi, by Mohini Rao
- Hindi with Harry – written by Rajeev Gopal
- Let’s Begin – Level 1 – Hindi Learning Series – by Rajiv Mahajan –
- Hindi Paathshala Binder – Prepared and Maintained by Class Teachers
- Additional poems, folk songs and reading material are provided by the teachers to the students to supplement language skills.
- Some activities will involve Arts group students. Detailed class outline will be handed out in class during September and as the year progresses.
The prescribed textbooks are approved by Govt. of India, the National Council of Educational Research & Training.
Hindi External Program
Hindi Paathshala is now available for individuals who are not Chinmaya Mission members or students, and who are interested to learn Hindi. All students should be in Grade 1 or higher in school to be considered for Language Classes. You can register by clicking the appropriate registration button below.
Please send inquiries via email to: languages@chinmayam.org
Teachers
Anil Darbari (Hindi Coordinator), Anil Kishore (Language Coordinator), Kamal Dewan, Neetu Gupta, Savita Nigam, Rajeev Gopal, Reena Gopal, Ritu Sachdev, Vipin Sahijwani, Vishal Poddar
Hindi Paathshala may use High School students (12th graders) to help with teaching only after they have successfully gone through the Hindi Paathshala curriculum.
Past Performances by Hindi Paathshsala
- Sunderakanda – September, 2002
- Holi Aayee Re – Holi 2000
- Jhanda – June 2000
- Aha Aaj Diwali Aayee – Diwali 2000
- Ae mere mann – June 2015
- Hum honge kamyab – June 2016
- Hum honge kamyab – June 2017
- Ae Watan – June 2019
Annual Performances are mandatory for all students – the dates are shared at the open house, in classes, by email, and also on the Bala Vihar calendar.
Gujarati Vidhylay is our online Gujarati Language program. Divided into five levels, our aim is to help children (and adults) speak the language with ease. Gujarati language classes are available at Beginner and Intermediate levels. As they progress, reading and writing is introduced and our intermediate level students sometimes start writing short letters to parents and grandparents.
Although we do attempt to keep structured lessons, recognizing the differences amongst learners, we modify our classes.
મધુર ગીરા ગુજરાતી- Come join us and learn “Sweet Language Gujarati”.
If you have any questions or need more information, please contact our Gujarati language coordinator Uday Nanavati.
Gujarati External Program
Gujarati is now available for individuals who are not Chinmaya Mission members or students. All students should be in Grade 1 or higher in school to be considered for Language Classes. You can register by clicking the appropriate registration button below.
If you have any questions or need more information about Tamil language classes, please contact our language coordinator Anil Kishore.
You can register by clicking the registration button below.
The class is organized in fun learning environment. Students from all background and ages are welcome!
Syllabus
- Telugu Speaking
- Alphabets
- Achulu
- Hallulu
- Gunintamulu
- Vattulu
- Rendaksharmula perlu
- Songs and verses for memorizing
- Maatelugu talliki
Additional poems and reading material are provided by the teachers to the students. Detailed class outline will be handed out in class during September and as the year progresses.
Teachers
Gayathri Sastry, Sreenath Nampally
For information on Telugu Classes please send an email to our language coordinator Anil Kishore at languages@chinmayam.org
Student Testing/Grading Policy/Performance
Students are tested periodically during the school year so that better performing students do not have to wait for the end of school year to be progressed to next Level.
Hindi Paathshala tests its student on a monthly basis. Students must pass at least 80% of exams with a grade of 80% or better and an attendance of 80% or better (punctuality and presence) to be eligible for county credit.
– Most students will be tested by their own teacher and in some situations another teacher on the outline distributed in class.
– Attendance (no unexcused absences), punctuality and class participation will be heavily rated for all Levels and will affect the progression to next Level. Late arrival and absenteeism disrupt
class activity and will not be permitted.
– Grades are given for class participation, homework as well as class work. Participation in Annual Day and at least one of the Hindi Social is also counted towards the final grade and successful completion of the class.
In general testing will be done late September, early March and in June.
All class related questions should be addressed directly with the teacher. Overall questions should be addressed to the language coordinator Anil
Kishore.
If the student misses four or more classes without notice, the student will have to re-register for Language classes to be able to continue (See rules below).
Teachers may schedule meetings with parents to discuss the progress of their children if necessary.
Class Rules/Information
The classes are organized so those students on the same level of the learning curve (regardless of their grade in school) are in the same class. In Hindi and Telugu, we have standard textbooks or teaching material that we will be following. Please make sure you get this information from the teacher. Your help in having them read at home and quizzing them will help their vocabulary and grammar.
Please go through this information carefully and spend some time with your child in understanding these instructions.
Please make sure that your child
is in the class promptly (see class timings for individual classes). Late arrivals not only disrupt the class but also interfere with the child’s learning process. The class is only offered once a week and in order for the child to progress, they would require a minimum of the allocated class time each week. If the student misses four or more classes without notice, the student will have to re-register for the Language classes to be able to continue. Continued excessive late arrivals and absenteeism will not be permitted in class and will result in permanent dismissal from class.
attends the classes regularly and makes a full effort to complete any assignment that is given for the week. Parents are strongly encouraged to make sure that the children are practicing the language at home. Reinforcing the language skills at home is the ONLY way to advance their command on the language.
Please note that children can move more than one level. We periodically test the children for proficiency (see Student testing). Usually the first level takes the longest. The course syllabus is distributed at the beginning of the class and is available from the teacher. You can assist your child satisfying the requirements for a given level. WE HAVE SEEN BEST RESULTS WHEN THE CHILD PRACTICES THE LANGUAGE WITH FRIENDS AND PARENTS. ONCE WEEKLY CLASSES CAN ONLY EMPHASIZE ON READING AND WRITING.
TWO un-excused absences will result in removal of the child from the roster, no make up class or exam is offered.
brings two sharpened pencils with erasers, binder (with loose-leaf papers)
to place handouts and class materials.
brings the text book to class every day – no sharing is allowed in class, the children are asked to read, write notes, prepare recitals and must have their own book. Sharing disrupts the class.
All Bala Vihar discipline rules provided to the students are also applicable during Language classes. Parents are not permitted in class unless specifically requested by the teacher(s) to assist in teaching the class or an individual student.
If you have any questions or need more information, please get in touch with us.
If you are not a registered family, please register. There’s programs & activities for everyone in the family, to gain the wisdom of Vedanta and the practical means for spiritual growth and happiness!