Classical, Colloquial, and Translation

Why learn Tibetan?

Tibetan is a language that opens doors most language study never touches. Behind it lies one of the richest surviving literary and contemplative traditions in the world — centuries of philosophy, poetry, ritual, and meditation instruction, much of it still untranslated or only partially so. To read Tibetan is to meet these texts on their own terms, rather than through the necessarily narrow lens of someone else’s translation. For those on a Buddhist path, it means direct access to root texts, prayers, and teachings as they were composed, and a deeper connection to teachers and lineage. For scholars, travellers, and the simply curious, it means real conversation, real reading, and a language that rewards patience with genuine intimacy.

Whatever draws you to it, learning Tibetan is learning to think in a different shape.

What’s on offer

Three tracks are available, each addressing a different relationship to the language:

– Classical Tibetan (chöke) — the literary and liturgical language of canonical texts, philosophical treatises, prayers, and ritual manuals. This is the Tibetan of the scriptures.

– Colloquial Tibetan — the spoken language, for conversation, travel, and connecting with Tibetan communities and daily life.

– Translation — for those who already have a foundation and want to develop the practical craft of rendering Tibetan texts into clear, faithful English.

All three run from complete beginner through upper-intermediate level, so there’s a place to start regardless of prior experience, and room to keep progressing once you’re underway.

How it works

Teaching is built around steady, cumulative progress: script, pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary laid down carefully at the start, then built on through guided reading and conversation as you advance. Classes are paced to the individual or group working through them, rather than to a fixed syllabus schedule.

Each track can be studied either privately, one-to-one, or in a small group — whichever suits your learning style, budget, and schedule. Private sessions allow the pace and material to be shaped entirely around you; group classes offer the companionship and momentum of learning alongside others.

Who this is for

These classes are for anyone with a genuine interest in the language — no background in Tibetan, Buddhism, or linguistics is assumed. That includes:

– Practitioners wanting direct access to their own tradition’s texts and language

– Students and scholars of Tibetan Buddhism, Himalayan studies, or Central Asian history

– Aspiring or working translators looking to sharpen their craft

– Travellers and those with personal or family ties to Tibetan-speaking communities

– Anyone simply drawn to the language for its own sake

What if…?

What if I don’t know the script at all? That’s the normal starting point — the script is taught from the very first lesson.

What if I’m not sure which track is right for me? Get in touch and we can talk through your goals; it’s also entirely possible to combine or move between tracks as your interests develop.

What if I can only commit to occasional or irregular sessions? Private study can flex around your availability; group classes run on a more fixed schedule, so private tuition may suit an irregular routine better.

What if I want to switch from group to private, or back again? That’s no problem — it can be arranged as your needs change.

What about cost? Fees are offered on a sliding scale, so that cost isn’t a barrier to studying. Get in touch to discuss what’s workable for you.

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Interested? Please fill out the form here.