Hindi
Learn more about our Hindi classes in Delhi and Mumbai!Zabaan has been conducting Hindi classes for expats and foreigners at different levels of proficiency since its inception in 2009. We have both intensive lessons for fast-track learning and slow paced evening classes for working professionals. If you prefer a flexible schedule, we also offer private in-person and online classes.
Hindi for Beginners (ELH1)
- Proficiency Level Reached: A1-
- Prerequisite(s): none
- Course Materials: Teach Yourself Hindi
- Frequency: Twice or thrice weekly
- Duration: 5 weeks, 15 class hours
Lower Elementary Hindi (ELH2)
Upper Elementary Hindi I (ELH3)
Upper Elementary Hindi II (ELH4)
Intensive Elementary Hindi
- Proficiency Level Reached: A1, A2–
- Prerequisite(s): none
- Course Materials: Teach Yourself Hindi
- Days: Mon-Fri
- Times: 9:15-12:30
- Duration: 4 weeks, 60 class hours
Intensive Lower Intermediate Hindi
Hindi Private & Online Lessons
For students with specific goals or a unique schedule, private lessons are custom tailored to improve your language skills at a pace and learning style that’s right for you. Lessons plans and materials are custom designed to fit your needs and help you reach your goals. Available for individuals, couples, or small groups, private lessons can take place at Zabaan’s language centre or at your home or office in Delhi or Mumbai (travel costs apply) or online over Skype or Google Hangouts.
Check out some of our blogs about Hindi!
Love Rasa and Kālidāsa
In this article Neha Tiwari looks at the theory of Rasas in Indian Arts in the context of Kālidāsa'slyric poem Meghadūt. Life is nought without emotions. The famous French philosopher Descartes famously said, “I think therefore I am”. But after...
Senior Advocate Sidharth Luthra Reclaims His Multilingual Heritage
Under the garb of a lawyer par excellence lies a heart that beats for the composite culture of India and its literary and cultural traditions. Sidharth Luthra, Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court of India, is well known for his passion and...
The Origins of Hindi
A major modern South Asian language, Hindi is spoken and understood by more than half a billion people in India and in other parts of the world where the Indian diaspora has settled. The language is written in Devanagari, a script derived from the...
Meaning and Expression: Sanskrit Suffixes 101
"Without your love, I'm like a song without words, just like a nest without birds ... I'm like a plane without wings, a violin with no strings." You can almost hear Billie Holiday sing through the nostalgic pitter-patter of vinyl-crackles,...
“Unlike other programs that teach the language in a “this is the way it is” type format, Zabaan focuses on the underlying grammatical reasons for why the language is structured the way it is. For a language that is so different from english (and includes concepts that are foreign to native english speakers), I have found that this provided much needed clarity, and has paid dividends later on in my Hindi studies.”
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At the end of the 4 week group course, I walked away being able to read and write the Hindi (Devanagari) script, as well as engage in very basic conversation (survival Hindi). The course is based on the Teach Yourself Hindi text, and during the 4 weeks, approximately 1/2 of the book was covered. My remaining time at Zabaan was spent finishing the book, reviewing grammar, as well as reading short stories and news articles.
Zabaan is really only one of two languages schools in India offering comprehensive and reputable Hindi language instruction oriented for western students. The other being AIIS. The reason for this comes down to the caliber of instructors employed at Zabaan, of which consists of formally/university trained linguists that truly understand both Hindi and English grammar. Unlike other programs that teach the language in a “this is the way it is” type format, Zabaan focuses on the underlying grammatical reasons for why the language is structured the way it is. For a language that is so different from english (and includes concepts that are foreign to native english speakers), I have found that this provided much needed clarity, and has paid dividends later on in my Hindi studies.
Despite having intensively studied foreign languages at a top american university, the pace of Zabaan’s group course took getting use to. But it was manageable. This pace reflects the clientele of Zabaan, which tends to be a group of individuals seriously committed to language learning. Students included US Fulbright and FLAS Fellows, as well as diplomats, British journalists, graduate students, and US military personnel. The prices for private group lessons certainly reflect this western orientation. Though, if you can pair up with other students as I did, prices will be significantly reduced, and end up costing less than other programs in India.
In line with what a couple reviews have pointed out, Zabaan is not without its quirks. I tend to attribute this mainly to differences in culture. However, regarding language instruction, I have the utmost confidence in their ability to effectively teach Hindi, and for this reason, I recommend them for anyone seriously interested in studying Hindi.