- Online
- $460
This beginner-level course is appropriate for learners with limited or no prior knowledge of Hindi. It introduces you to the essentials of Hindi writing and sound systems, common vocabulary, useful day-to-day expressions and the foundational grammatical and cultural knowledge necessary for holding simple conversations.
As you build your language skills, become familiar with Indian culture and its post-Vedic roots. From day one, gain the basic conversational skills to communicate about yourself, your work and your daily life.
Come away from the course with the ability to read and write simple words and hold basic conversations.
By the end of the course, you’ll be able to:
- greet and introduce yourself and others
- ask how someone is doing and answer for yourself
- ask and give directions
- read and write simple words in Hindi
- count in Hindi and tell time
- learn about Indian currency and numbering system
Course outline
This is not a prescriptive list. Exact course outlines are determined by the instructor to best meet the needs of the class. This is meant to serve as a guideline and suggest what may be covered at this level. It is often necessary to repeat levels in order to become completely comfortable with the skills at each stage with a different teacher and style.
Overview, greetings and introductions
- Overview of Hindi and its relationship with Sanskrit and Urdu
- Common greetings and expressions in different socio-cultural contexts
- नमस्ते (Namaste)/ नमस्कार (Namaskar)– Hello, Goodbye
- धन्यवाद (Dhanyavaad) – Thank you
- आप कैसे हो? (Aap Kaise ho?) – How are you?
Hindi alphabet and writing system
- Introduction to the देवनागरी (Devanāgarī) script of Hindi: 13 vowels and 39 consonants
- Pronunciation and Roman transliteration rules
- Identifying, reading and writing simple words
Numbers, time, days, months
- Numbers 1-20 and basic counting
- Days of the week, months and telling time
Vocabulary, basic grammar and courtesy expressions
- Vocabulary related to everyday relationships and activities
- Gender (masculine/feminine): forms and patterns
- Singular and plural forms
- Articles and demonstratives: यह (yah – this), वह (vah – that)
- Sentence structure: Subject–Object–Verb (SOV)
Everyday communication in different socio-cultural contexts
- Useful daily expressions: asking basic questions, giving polite replies
- Cultural variations of formality (आप, तुम, तू)
- Reading short passages about daily life in India
- Cultural component: basic etiquette, festivals, and gestures
Expected effort
You can expect to spend about three hours per week attending live, virtual classes and completing course work on your own time. Expect double this amount during the intensive summer term.
Textbook
This course requires the purchase of Complete Hindi: From Beginner to Intermediate, Level 4 available through the UBC Bookstore.
Course format
This course is offered online and/or in-person. See Available Sessions for details on the course format.
Our online conversational courses offer a virtual classroom experience where you can see and interact with your teacher and classmates over Zoom. Log in at a set time to participate in individual, pair and group work, ask questions and receive feedback from your instructor.
Outside of class time, access course materials online at your own pace for up to three weeks after the course ends.
In-person classes are offered at UBC Robson Square in downtown Vancouver.
Learn more about online learning at Extended Learning.
How am I assessed?
This is a non-credit course without letter or numerical grades. You receive verbal feedback on your conversation and grammar skills from your instructor during class. Written homework is typically corrected in class. Some lesson modules may include quizzes.
Record of completion
Students who have successfully completed a course can access completion documents two weeks after the course ends. Course completion means 80% attendance and/or 80% completion of mandatory assignments.
Technology requirements
You’ll need a computer or tablet with a video camera and a microphone, access to the internet, an email account and an up-to-date web browser. The day before your course starts, you will receive an email with instructions on how to access the course.