Hindi-Urdu

Department Contact:
Rakesh Ranjan
411 Knox
212-851-4107  
rr2574@columbia.edu

The Hindi-Urdu Program in the MESAAS Department of Columbia University, one of the leading centers for the study of South Asia in the country, now offers intensive summer Hindi-Urdu courses at elementary and intermediate levels. The courses are comprehensive and taught by experienced teachers. The curriculum offers interpersonal, presentational and interpretive tasks supported by multimedia materials in smart classrooms. The courses are designed for students to achieve a higher level of proficiency. They target academic and professional needs, enabling students with different backgrounds and goals to communicate with Hindi-Urdu speakers in a variety of contexts. The curriculum is based on national standards and proficiency guidelines as set by ACTFL.


The Urdu script is taught in the second session of Elementary Hindi-Urdu.  Columbia’s is the only Hindi-Urdu summer program in the country to offer training in both Hindi and Urdu scripts. Students can expect to have reading and writing facility in both languages by the end of the elementary course. Intermediate Hindi-Urdu builds upon the skills of elementary Hindi-Urdu and broadens students’ awareness of South Asian culture and society.

Courses are offered in two six-week sessions.
Elementary Hindi-Urdu I and II
Intermediate Hindi-Urdu I and II


Students applying for Elementary Hindi-Urdu I are not required to take a placement test. Students who have taken Elementary Hindi-Urdu at Columbia University and want to take Intermediate Hindi-Urdu I are also not required to take a placement test. However, non-Columbia students applying for Intermediate Hindi-Urdu must take a placement test and consult the coordinator.

Students are encouraged to take courses in both sessions.

Some features of the summer program:
•    Instructors hold daily office hours
•    Daily tutoring provided by a teaching assistant
•    Field trips to South Asian neighborhoods and restaurants of New York City
•    Mandatory cultural activities on Wednesday or Thursday afternoons
•    Screening of Bollywood movies
•    Cooking lessons
 

Hindi-Urdu courses are offered at a special flat tuition rate.

OFFICIAL MAKEUP DATES FOR UNIVERSITY HOLIDAYS

May 31, replaces the Memorial Day holiday.

July 5, replaces the Independence Day holiday

NOTE

The University reserves the right to withdraw or modify the courses of instruction or to change the instructors as may become necessary.

Click on course title to see course description and schedule.

Summer 2013

Hindi-Urdu Language Program (CE)

  • MDES S1610H. Elementary Hindi-Urdu I. 4 pts.
    Runs from the week of Jun 10 to Jul 05

    This introductory course is designed to develop reading, speaking, listening, writing and cultural skills in Hindi-Urdu. Students learn the Devanagari script, sound system, basic greetings and social phrases. They learn basic grammatical patterns in Hindi-Urdu and develop vocabulary related to aspects of Indian lifestyle, social traditions and education, etc. At the end of the session, students will be able to read, write and understand texts on familiar topics and speak about themselves and their environment. Course Materials (available at Bookculture): Introduction to Hindi Grammar by Usha Jain.. Get Started in Hindi (Teach Yourself series) by Rupert Snell et al. vocabulary. Hindi Dictionary by Rupert SnellCourse Fee: $80.00
    Materials Fee: $10.00
    Language Resource Center Fee: $15.00

  • MDES S1611R. MDES S1611Q. Elementary Hindi-Urdu II. 4 pts.
    Runs from the week of Jul 08 to Aug 02

    URDU: This session will introduce the Urdu script. It will further enrich students' vocabulary and reinforce grammar learning. This will prepare students for the Intermediate Hindi-Urdu Course. Students will continue to develop skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing. They will learn more patterns of Hindi-Urdu grammar and keep on expanding their vocabulary. Upon successful completion of this course, they will be able to initiate and sustain conversations on a range of topics related to different aspects of Indian culture, social and family life; and carry out written correspondence related to daily life. 1. Books used in Elementary Hindi-Urdu I 2. Let's Study Urdu": Ali Asani and Syed Akbar HyderCourse Fee: $80.00
    Materials Fee: $10.00
    Language Resource Center Fee: $15.00

  • MDES S1612H. Intermediate Hindi-Urdu I. 4 pts.
    Runs from the week of Jun 10 to Jul 05

    This course will build upon the skills of elementary Hindi-Urdu learners in the areas of speaking, listening, reading, writing, vocabulary and grammar skills. It will also seek to broaden students' knowledge base of the South Asian society and culture. To achieve these goals students will be introduced to a variety of materials (in Hindi and Urdu scripts) including literature, newspapers, folk tales, magazine articles, films, songs, commercials, and other kinds of audio-visual materials. These materials will be related with language functions in daily personal and social situations. Upon completion of the course, students should be well-equipped to initiate and sustain general conversations and should be able to write short compositions.Course Fee: $80.00
    Language Resource Center Fee: $15.00
    Materials Fee: $10.00

  • MDES S1613R. Intermediate Hindi-Urdu II. 4 pts.
    Runs from the week of Jul 08 to Aug 02

    This course will continue to emphasize the goals outlined above for the first session of the intermediate course while adding additional complexity to course materials in anticipation of the advanced proficiency level in Hindi-Urdu.Course Fee: $80.00
    Materials Fee: $10.00
    Language Resource Center Fee: $15.00