Join our Global
Learning Community
Welcome to བོད་སྐད་སྙིང་པོ།, The Heart of Tibetan Language.
This is a place where you'll learn Tibetan in a way that feels natural, supportive, and joyful. Whether you're learning for travel, Dharma, research, or pure love of language, you'll be supported at every stage.
If you've never seen the Tibetan script before, you can start with the alphabet and learning to read. If you already know the basics, you can step into lively conversations about food, family, and daily life. And if your dream is to understand Dharma teachings in Tibetan, our advanced courses guide you there, one clear step at a time.
How Can We Support You?
I Want to Learn Tibetan with Fellow Students
Experience the magic of community learning with students worldwide.
Get started
I Prefer to Learn at my Own Pace
Check out our self-study courses for independent learners.
Get started
I Don't Know Where to Start
We got it, learning a language can feel overwhelming. That's why we crafted this step by step guide.
Get started
Start Your Tibetan Journey Today,
No Matter Where You Are
Follow the path from beginner to advanced mastery
Beginner
New to Tibetan? With these courses, you'll build the foundations of speaking and reading while discovering that language learning can be joyful, practical, and shared with new friends.
Starts September 2026
Intermediate
Ready to expand your skills? These courses help you grow from simple conversations into richer, more confident communication, while deepening your cultural connection.
Starts September 2026
Advanced
These courses are a unique blend of Dharma vocabulary and colloquial language. Ideal for anyone aspiring to understand Dharma teachings in Tibetan.
Starts September 2026
What Makes Us Different
Student-centered learning
Courses are built around your pace. Whether you need extra time on reading practice or want to move quickly through grammar, you'll have space to learn in the way that fits you best. We support you in growing your meta-cognitive skills, meaning "learning how to learn".
Joyful methodology
Alongside your human teachers, you'll be guided by a cast of non-human classmates like Ms. Giraffe, Mr. Sloth, and Ms. Ostrich. They bring Tibetan grammar and cultural concepts to life in surprising ways, making difficult ideas easier to remember.
Community and connection
Small learning communities (SLC) with peers, live sessions, and one-on-one practice with native speakers give you real conversation experience and a supportive circle of classmates, tutors and teachers.
Flexible format
You don't need to rearrange your life to learn Tibetan. Live classes are offered in two time zones, and recordings are always available if you miss a session. All the levels are also offer in a self-paced way.
We have supported over 300 students on their path of learning
"SINI pairs you up with a native Tibetan tutor for regular, live tutorials via Whatsapp. This is a game changer in learning!"
Charlie S., 2026 Cohort
"My experience so far has shown that the course is more than I expected. It is truly a wholistic approach to learning Tibetan language, the teachers and community of students are very supportive, respectful and engaging."
Ola T., 2026 Cohort
"It's not just about learning Tibetan, you will learn so much about yourself. Being part of SINI's Colloquial Tibetan courses has become part of my life, it's like an online Sangha which I cannot imagine life without."
Sarah D., 2026 Cohort
"Solid methodology, very good books, right attitude of the teachers."
Dimitri L., 2026 Cohort
"The variety of learning modalities, well-balanced curriculum, quality teaching, affordable. Everyone I know who has participated in SINI loves it!"
J. H., 2025 Cohort
"I'd recommend SINI because of the structure, the community worldwide & the richness of its programme."
Tenzin Lhakyi V., 2025 Cohort
"The quality (and quantity!) of the content, the skill and kindness of the teachers, the comprehensive nature of the course - how learning happens in many areas and on many levels, the fact that we meet friends from all over the world, the feeling of belonging to a learning community - big and small. I'm so happy and grateful to have been recommended this course and can wholeheartedly recommend to others!"
Anna R., 2023 Cohort
"The way of explaining Tibetan is unique and based on the internal structure of the language rather than Latin or other Western models. The courses incorporate humor and playfulness, and it's still a rigorous and effective program - no tests, no pressure."
Linda J., 2021 Cohort
"Excellent course, great resources, kind teachers and such a privilege to have regular contact with young Tibetan tutors. Go for it!"
Viva H., 2021 Cohort
"SINI is the best in terms of authenticity and pedagogical approach; the diversity of study material and methods. You will never regret taking it."
Sasha L.
"With SINI you can really learn to speak Tibetan. You learn all aspects (grammar, speaking, understanding, cultural knowledge) and most importantly you learn how to learn."
Sigrun
"This platform stands out as a top choice for language learners by combining professional, high-quality structure with a remarkably fun, supportive, and safe community. The sheer volume of content available across both textbooks and online forums is more than any student could realistically exhaust."
Ramya
"The video webinars complement the book so much. The book alone is not as useful because you don't expose yourself long enough into that chapter, whereas with video supporting the material it penetrates at deeper levels."
Ramon B.
"Gen Franziska-la is the best! She is so kind and knowledgeable. Her style of teaching is very engaging and fun. And the other teachers are also great. SINI creates a safe, supportive environment for learning. Give it a try!"
Lane
"It's a complete formula with very known teachers, with social interaction, positive mindset, lots of valuable content, a correct price. Students speak and improve. Don't waste your time waiting before you start."
Celine S.
"It has an easy to follow pace, it is friendly, teachers and classmates are easygoing, it has many practical exercises. It has a good method and resources. An excellent choice for learning Tibetan."
Alejandra R.
"Fantastic online Tibetan course! Absolutely recommend - you'll have fun!!"
Lower Advanced Course
"This course is simply superb. In every aspect. It is by far one of the best courses I have ever taken in my life. It will exceed your highest expectations, I promise everyone that."
Beginner Course
"This course is very complete with materials about grammar, vocabulary and conversation in a simple but rich learning environment for those who want to learn Tibetan."
Intermediate Course
"Dear team of SINI, I really enjoyed learning in the alphabet course. It is so well structured and organized, the materials on Moodle, also regarding the pace and portions... can I give Lopen la such marks like with this reviews, and now I feel like we have had such a very good time to practice with my buddy. I appreciate also your liveliness and flexibility which you've shown all over the course organisation. See you on the beginner course!"
Alphabet Course
"The course was exceptional in all aspects. The range of materials, the clear path of progression, the expertise, kindness and patience of the tutors, and the holistic way in which we were introduced to Tibetan culture whilst engaging with this beautiful and enchanting language all came together to create a multi-faceted and supportive worldwide learning community. I was surprised how much I enjoyed the Small Learning Community group, what fun it was to have our weekly meetings, and delighted to form new friendships within the group and with my learning buddy. Thank you so much for your flexibility and patience with the obstacles I encountered during the course, and I am very happy that there is a six week review course starting in a few weeks. What a wonderful five months it has been."
Beginner Course
"After so many years of yearning to learn Tibetan language, I am immensely grateful to have found SINI and Franziska Oertle's course in colloquial Tibetan. The team is fantastic, tutors are inspiring, and classmates are joy to work with. I particularly appreciate the grammatical explanations and tables, the way that new vocabulary is presented through association with other words and very practical examples, and the method of learning, including small learning communities, and e-portfolios through which the study becomes a spiritual practice as well. Saying that, what I appreciate more than anything is that it is designed to suit very different types of personalities, learning styles and language levels - I have learnt so much from that. Thank you!"
Upper Advanced Course
Who's Behind those Courses?
Meet the passionate educators bringing Tibetan language to learners worldwide
Franziska Oertle
Lead Teacher & Course Designer
Affectionately known by her students as the one who has cracked the code of teaching Tibetan. She has taught Tibetan and designed language courses over more than 15 years at places like RYI, SIT Nepal, Emory study abroad semester, Sarah College, LRZTP and now at SINI.
Juan Felipe Garcia-Peña
Learning Development & Tech
Grew up in Colombia, studied in Costa Rica, and has long been passionate about learning technologies. He has developed medical software and learning systems by blending philosophy, language, media, engineering, and biopedagogy. At SINI, he treats education as a creative, ongoing process for testing and improving new ideas in online learning.
Meet the Dedicated Team
Our courses are the work of an entire team. Teachers, tutors, IT admins, and coordinators all contribute. Many hands and minds shape the lessons you see here. Each person adds a voice, an image, or a detail that makes the courses come alive!
Nat Thammamitr
Assistant Teacher
Dedicated to sharing the beauty of Tibetan language and culture.
Lhakpa Tsering
Teacher
Nepal-born Buddhist scholar with a Shastri in Buddhist philosophy and an Acharya in Tibetan linguistics.
Bhargavi
Teacher
Holds a master's in Tibetan history from Columbia and has studied Tibetan at Esukhia, Tibet University, and Rangjung Yeshe.
Ania Samborska
Assistant Teacher
Polish teacher and translator in Dharamshala who studies Tibetan language and Dharma, teaches Classical Tibetan at SINI.
Melissa Katz
Assistant Teacher
U.S.-born student of Tibetan language and medicine in Dharamshala who helps share SINI's learning materials worldwide.
Pema Woeser
Tutor Coordinator
Native speaker holding a master's degree in Tibetan literature and committed to online Tibetan language education.
Tzoe Wong
Admin & IT Support
Tibetan language enthusiast who supports the team with video production, webinars, and IT.