Intermediate 202

Continue from Intermediate 201

Advance your grammar, expand vocabulary, and discuss more abstract and cultural topics in Tibetan.

Over six modules (Lessons 16–20 plus review), you'll advance your skills in grammar, vocabulary, and conversation. This course combines live classes, pre-recorded resources, and one-on-one tutor practice to develop fluency in the Central/Exile dialect.

6

Modules

Lessons 16–20 + review

Format

Live + Tutor + Moodle

Time Commitment

~10–12 hrs/week

Prerequisite

Intermediate 201 or equivalent

Woman discovering Lhasa

What You'll Achieve

By the end of Intermediate 202, you will:

Grammar illustration

Consolidate Lower Intermediate skills and expand into Upper Intermediate grammar (reported speech, nominalizers, relative clauses and more)

Vocabulary illustration

Broaden vocabulary related to health, animals, pilgrimage, Tibetan New Year and more

Conversation illustration

Grow fluency and accuracy in extended and complex conversations

Cultural illustration

Engage with Tibetan as classroom language, while using English in Live Forum for reflection and clarification

A Peek Inside Intermediate 202

Curious about our teaching style? Watch a sample lesson and grammar webinar.

Key Point Video

Webinar

What You'll Get in This Course

Live Learning

  • • Weekly live classes
  • • Small Learning Communities (SLCs): groups of ~4 students meeting weekly
  • • One-on-one tutor sessions
  • • White Wednesday Talks (optional) focus on Tibetan culture

Study Resources

  • • Key-point videos (5–10 minutes each)
  • • Webinars (30–60 minutes) with detailed grammar explanations
  • • Dialogue, songs, and learning challenges
  • • e-Portfolio with personalized feedback
  • • Live Forum Discussions about cultural topics and soft skills
  • • Rubrics for self-assessment

Digital Tools

  • • Anki flashcards with audio and example sentences
  • • Memrise decks
  • • Access to Moodle resources and activities: lab-like language speaking practice, all kinds of exercises, and IT HelpDesk support

Live Classes

  • • Weekly live classes on Zoom in two time slots
  • • Live forum discussion about cultural and meta-cognitive topics
  • • Class recordings available (YouTube)
📚

Auditing option

If you prefer a lighter commitment, you can audit the course. Auditors follow the same weekly pace as general students and join an SLC, a tutor class, and self-study. You'll still have access to Moodle resources and YouTube recordings, but you won't attend the Saturday live classes (except the forum) and won't receive teacher feedback. Tuition is lower, and we ask that you keep up with the group so your SLC stays lively and supportive.

What Our Learners Say

A few words from our Intermediate 202 cohort.

❝

This course is very complete with materials about grammar, vocabulary, readings, and audios. The methodology is well structured and the team (teachers and tutors) is very supportive. I'd recommend it to anyone who'd want to learn Tibetan.

❝

Excellent course, well thought through and engaging. It is very structured which is very helpful for someone like me with not much time every day. And still, there are so many resources available that one can use and study on their own which is very helpful.

❝

A wonderful and engaging course!

❝

Amazing! It´s really difficult just imagine how it could be better! Everything seems so deeply thought and planned that I see no chance to give any recommendation here, except for my big thank you, for dedication, patience, intelligence, creativity and heart for so much learning.

❝

Great course, as always. I never thought I could learn Tibetan. I was looking since years to a course and this is the first time I feel I can keep up with it and achieve many of my aims. Really thankful to all this amazing team and the great person that lead and coordinate everyone's effort.

❝

I am grateful for this opportunity to learn the Tibetan language. I love it and feel the teachers and programme has increased my interest and me wanting to ever learn more. I respect all the teachers and can also feel the care and creativity that goes into the making of this course.

When Does the Next Course Start?

Opening Ceremony

January 2026

Classes

Run through July 2026

Closing Ceremony

July 2026

View detailed week-by-week schedule
Enroll Now

Your Learning Team

Meet the teachers, tutors, and companions who make learning fun.

Teachers

Franziska Oertle

Franziska Oertle

Lead teacher

Sees her work as a personal contribution to preserving Tibetan culture and Dharma.

Tutors

Tutor Team

Tutor Team

Native speaker tutors

Kind, patient speakers in India & Nepal.

Companions

Ms. Giraffe

Ms. Giraffe

Learning Companion

Nerdy grammar scout.

🐾 P.S.

Pets are welcome learning buddies too: they're patient listeners who never complain about grammar mistakes!

Monastic student learning

Our Methodology

Our approach is both student-centered and learning-centered. We believe that people learn best when they are active, curious, and supported by a caring community.

Dr. Fink's Taxonomy

We draw on Dr. Fink's 6-fold Taxonomy of Significant Learning, which highlights knowledge, application, integration, the human dimension, caring, and learning how to learn.

Soft Skills

Special focus is placed on soft skills: reflection, self-awareness, collaboration, and empathy. Students are invited to keep an e-Portfolio and share reflections in forums, helping them grow not only as language learners but as human beings.

Joy and Humor

Joy and humor are essential to our method. A smile, a bit of laughter, and curiosity keep learning light while ensuring deep progress.

Want to Learn More about our Methodology? Here's a Detailed Video

Practical Details

Everything you need to know before enrolling

Prerequisites

  • • Completion of Lower Intermediate Course (Intermediate 201) or equivalent
  • • Ability to talk about everyday topics in Tibetan using past, present, and future tenses
  • • Familiarity with key grammar: conditionals, modal verbs, connectives, auxiliaries of probability

Tuition & Financial Support

  • • Sliding scale tuition: $475 minimum ($325 for monastics)
  • • Auditing version: $300 ($225 for monastics)
  • • Payment plans and scholarships available

Refund Policy

  • • Refund depends on withdrawal timing
  • • Up to 70% refund if leaving during Module 1
  • • Reduced percentages as course continues
The Heart of Tibetan Language, Vol. 2 — cover

Discover the Textbook That Accompanies This Course

The Heart of Tibetan Language, Vol. 2

Lessons 16–20 with accompanying workbook

Order hardcopy → Get eBook on Google Play → Order in Europe via Vajra Bookstore →

Why Choose Intermediate 202?

Intermediate 202 is your chance to stretch your Tibetan into more complex, real-world conversations. With lively classes, tutor support, and engaging materials, you'll gain fluency, confidence, and cultural depth.

Ready to Continue Your Tibetan Journey?

Join our Intermediate 202 cohort starting January 2026 and advance your Tibetan fluency.

Enroll Now Explore Advanced

Intermediate 202 FAQ

What is Intermediate 202?

Intermediate 202 is the Upper Intermediate Course. It continues from Intermediate 201, starting with a review and then covering Modules 2-6 (Lessons 16-20) of The Heart of Tibetan Language, Volume 2. You'll deepen your grammar skills and gain confidence in new conversation topics.

Who can join Intermediate 202?

Alumni of Intermediate 201 are ready to continue.

Auditing students of Intermediate 201 can join Intermediate 202 as full students if they attend the Review Sessions or submit an Entrance Presentation video.

New students need to show they can speak at a basic/lower intermediate level and know grammar like conditionals, modal verbs, connectives, auxiliaries of probability, and the basics of Tibetan verb structures.

Everyone who hasn't studied with us before submits a short entrance video in Tibetan and English to confirm readiness.

What will I learn?

We'll explore conversations about animals, health, housing, different kinds of jobs, and more. Grammar includes reported speech, comparisons and superlatives, nominalizers, and relative clauses. By the end, you'll speak with more confidence and flexibility in everyday Tibetan.

How much time should I plan each week?

Ideally, plan for about 10–12 hours per week.

How long is each module?

Intermediate 202 uses the "Mr. Sloth" 4-week pace, so you have extra time to absorb Module grammar and practice comfortably.

When are the live classes?

There are four live sessions per module, held on Saturdays at 9:00 and 16:00 CE(S)T. One session per module is a live Discussion Forum on learning reflections and soft skills. Optional White Wednesday cultural talks are also included. All live classes are recorded and shared privately.

What if I miss a class?

Send questions ahead of time, then watch the recording afterward. Recordings are shared via YouTube with your Gmail login.

Who are the teachers?

Classes are taught by Gen Lhakpa Tsering-la, Gen Bhargavi Viswanath-la, and/or Franziska Oertle. You'll also learn with native speaker tutors and classmates in your SLC.

What materials are included?
  • Live classes with speaking practice, games, songs, and Q&A
  • 20–45 minute key-point videos (with puppet companions)
  • 1–2 detailed grammar webinars per lesson
  • Live Forum discussions on soft skills
  • Weekly SLC meetings
  • Weekly 1:1 with a Tibetan conversation partner
  • Digital practice lab
  • An e-portfolio for reflection
  • Anki flashcards, learning games, and songs
  • End-of-module challenges
  • Optional White Wednesday cultural talks
Which Textbook Do I Need?

We use The Heart of Tibetan Language, Volume 2 and the exercise book. Hard copies are available from Dharma Publishing (US) or Vajra Bookstore (Kathmandu). Ebooks are also available at an affordable rate.

What platforms and tools are used?
  • Moodle for resources and assignments
  • Zoom for live classes
  • YouTube for recordings
  • Gmail for recordings and Google Drive
  • WhatsApp for tutor classes and conversation partners
How much is tuition?

Tuition follows a sliding scale. The minimum fee is $475 ($325 for monastics). The auditing option is available for $300 ($225 for monastics).

Can I pay in installments?

Yes, you can pay in installments. Contact us before registering so we can arrange it.

Do you offer scholarships or sponsorships?

Yes. Monastics can apply for discounted tuition. Students with means can add a $108 sponsorship to help others join.

What is the refund policy?

If we can replace you:

  • Module 1: 70% refund
  • Module 2: 65%
  • Module 3: 55%
  • Later: 40%

If we cannot replace you:

  • Module 1: 55% refund
  • Module 2: 40%
  • Module 3: 30%
  • Later: no refund