Urdu Program

Classes and private tuition is available for those students desiring to study Urdu. Many of them will want to study Hindi first because of the abundant overlap. Urdu instruction in this case focuses on the unique script/writing system and the unique vocabulary. Others may wish to study only Urdu without first starting with Hindi. Both approaches have their advantages and disadvantages. Some choose to study Hindi and Urdu simultaneously.

If you are considering enrolling in the EWLI Urdu program, please also read the information under “Hindi Program” as much of the information needed is similar.

Hindi / Urdu On-site classes

East West Language Institute conducts on-site University credit classes for Brown University, Rutgers University and the Institute for the International Education of Students (IES) in Delhi.

Intensive courses have also been conducted in Lucknow, Pune, and Bangalore. If your organization or group is interested in hosting an on-site class, please contact the Director for more details. We may be able to customize a course for your specific needs.

It is occasionally possible for us to cater to individuals who want Hindi instruction in their home. This will be a much more expensive option for individuals, since the time and cost of transportation both coming and going from our facilities in Nizamuddin will be chargeable. Also, scheduling considerations often prohibit it, but when there is such a possibility, as when a teacher has an afternoon without any regular students, we are open to considering it. Contact the Director with such requests.

History & Background

For several centuries until 1947 Urdu was the official language of North India--the first police report about Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination in Delhi was written in Urdu. After independence and the partition of India and Pakistan, Pakistan chose Urdu as its national language and India chose Hindi. These languages share most of their grammar and 70% of their vocabulary. Some linguists have classified them as two different styles of speaking the same language-Hindustani the common denominator. Urdu is regarded by Hindi speakers as a sweet poetic language and shows much influence on Hindi films, especially the music. Its influence in the general population is declining, though many Muslims have come to treasure it as part of their unique heritage within Indian culture.

Urdu has typically been written in Persian script and Hindi in Devanagri script, though more and more Urdu speakers in the 21st century are unable to read the Persian script. East West Educational Foundation has published a series of Urdu language Bible study booklets in both Persian and Devanagri scripts [www.kalaam-e-khuda.org].

Texts

Much of the EWLI Hindi course is based around the Landour Language School text from the famous Landour Language School in Mussoorie. After partition a sister language school was begun in Murree, Pakistan and the MLB COURSE, published by Nirali Kitaben of Lahore, was developed. This roughly corresponds to the old “hari kitab” of Landour Language School. This is a thorough coverage of Urdu grammar, speaking, and writing that can take nine months to complete. Some of the Urdu students are initially also using Teach Yourself Urdu which includes two listening cassettes.