This Colloquial Tibetan program is part of
Sarnath International Nyingma Institute (SINI)
Find answers to common questions about our courses
If you don't yet read Tibetan script, begin with the Alphabet & Reading Pre-course (or its self-study equivalent). You'll learn to read and pronounce the script fluently; it's the reading prerequisite for Beginner 101. The pre-course runs 6 weeks with two weekly live classes and one weekly 1:1 practice session. You're also welcome to take it even if you don't plan to continue to 101.
If you can already read, start with Beginner 101 → Beginner 102, then continue to Intermediate 201 → 202, and finally Advanced 301 → 302. Each level builds on the one before it and follows the next volume of The Heart of Tibetan Language.
We teach colloquial Central/Exile Tibetan.
Each course is led by a main and an assistant teachers (both native and non-native speakers) and supported by a team of tutors. In addition to the live classes, you'll have weekly 1:1 sessions with native conversation partners. The program was designed by Franziska Oertle, author of The Heart of Tibetan Language, and all teachers are trained in this learning-centred methodology.
Instead of a test, new students at the Upper Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced levels are requested to submit a short video presentation. In it, you speak briefly in Tibetan about Course-relevant topics and share your motivation in English. This helps us confirm your level and ensure you're comfortable with the tech tools.
Each course is made up of 6 Modules:
So, each level (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced) has 12 Modules in total, taught across two courses.
Ideally, plan for about 10 hours/week in Beginner 101; 10–12 hours/week in Beginner 102 and Intermediate; and 11–13 hours/week in Advanced.
Every Module (except Review Modules) run for 4 weeks each.
Every Module includes:
You'll meet weekly in a Small Learning Community—usually about four students—for practice, discussion about learning and support. You'll also have a weekly 1:1 conversation with a native Tibetan speaker to build real-world confidence.
It is part of the Lower Beginner Course and a pre-requisite for any other Courses. In that case, completed in self-study before the Course starts.
The Heart of Tibetan Language: Beginner uses Volume 1, Intermediate uses Volume 2, and Advanced uses Volume 3. If Volume 3 isn't published when your class begins, we provide a PDF of the revised draft for the relevant lessons.
Yes, at the Advanced levels. Topics include the Buddha's life, the Three Turnings, refuge, the Three Jewels, bodhicitta, Buddhist views, meditation, and the Four Immeasurables. The focus is on listening comprehension and using dharma terms in spoken language, not classical Tibetan and written translation skills.
We run two time slots to cover world time zones. All classes are on Saturdays. All courses offer also a White Wednesday Talk - on Wednesday of course. Exact times vary by cohort; recent schedules include 9:00 and 16:00 CE(S)T for Beginner/Intermediate and 11:00 and 18:00 CE(S)T for Advanced. All live sessions are recorded.
No. You can choose the slot that works each week; no need to notify us in advance.
You can send questions ahead of time and watch the recording on YouTube afterward; we share links privately to your Gmail.
We use:
If you registered with a non-Gmail email, you'll need to provide a Gmail account for access.
Yes. As an auditor, you follow the weekly pace, join an SLC, attend your tutor class, and study on your own. You don't attend Saturday live classes (except the forum session) and don't receive teacher feedback. Tuition is lower, and you keep access to Moodle and the YouTube recordings. We ask auditors to keep up so SLCs stay lively.
Yes. We follow a sliding-scale tuition model to keep Tibetan language study accessible. We offer a monastic discount of 30% for all courses. See the Tuition page for current amounts and payment options.
Refunds depend on when you withdraw and on whether we can fill your spot. See the Practical Details page for the timeline.
Yes. You can purchase access to key-point videos & webinars and self-study packages for Beginner, Intermediate and Lower Advanced level Courses. This is helpful if you're preparing to place into a higher level.
Mid-week talks offered by an external speaker, highlighting certain aspects of Tibetan culture relevant to the current Module. On the Advanced level, they feature a contemporary, female Buddhist teacher. The talks are engaging and interesting but optional.
At Beginner and Intermediate levels, explanations are in English. As you progress, more class time is in Tibetan. By Advanced, classes are mostly in Tibetan, with English kept for essential explanations and the live forum.
Yes, if Volume 3 is not published by the start of the Course. We provide a PDF of the revised draft for the lessons you'll study.
This Colloquial Tibetan program is part of
Sarnath International Nyingma Institute (SINI)