Learn to Read

The Tibetan Alphabet and Reading Pre-Course

The Tibetan Alphabet and Reading Pre-Course is designed to help you learn to read and pronounce Tibetan script fluently, following the Central Tibetan dialect.

This course is a prerequisite for students who want to join Beginner 101. If you already know how to read Tibetan (for example, through Classical Tibetan studies), you don't need to take this pre-course. But if you cannot yet read, this step is essential before starting the main program.

Students who simply want to learn to read Tibetan script, without continuing into Beginner 101, are also warmly welcome!

6

Duration

6 weeks

Format

Live + Tutor

Schedule

Wed & Sat (2x/week)

Prerequisite

None

Course Structure

Duration

6 weeks

Format

Usually Wednesday and Saturday 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. CE(S)T

2 live classes per week (Wednesdays & Saturdays at 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. CET)
1 one-on-one tutor session per week with a native Tibetan-speaking tutor
Small learning groups for daily/bi-daily reading tasks with a buddy

Curriculum

Developed by རྒན་ Anastasia Stoliarova ལགས། (different methodology from the main courses)

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, you will:

Read and transliterate the Tibetan དབུ་ཅན། script confidently

Pronounce Tibetan script accurately in the Central dialect

Work collaboratively with peers in small groups to reinforce skills

Be able to read a wide range of Tibetan texts, including Sanskrit mantras written in Tibetan script

Who Can Join?

This course is for complete beginners with no prior knowledge of Tibetan script. It's perfect for students planning to join Beginner 101, or for anyone who simply wants to learn to read the Tibetan script.

Tuition

SINI is a non-profit dedicated to preserving Tibetan culture and Dharma, and to building Bridges of Goodness through education and cultural exchange. We keep tuition as accessible as possible and support monastics with a 30% discount.