Saṃskṛta Bhāratī UK is an academy for the promotion of the Sanskrit language, and for the teaching of Spoken Sanskrit as a medium of general everyday communication for the general public based in the UK in particular and in Europe generally.
Saṃskṛta Bhāratī UK is dedicated to preserving Sanskrit’s cultural heritage and promoting a better understanding of it through a comprehensive programme of education, events, publishing, and research.
Our primary purpose is to popularise Saṃskṛtam as a spoken language. Conversation taught in a meaningful context allows learners to hear the language first, before studying it in a written form.
The oral-based teaching method employed by Saṃskṛta Bhāratī teachers renders language learning simple, relevant and very enjoyable.
A version of direct method approach is used where classroom interaction is conducted in Saṃskṛtam and oral skills are built up in a carefully graded progression. Concrete vocabulary is taught through demonstration, objects and pictures while abstract vocabulary is taught by association of ideas. Translation is avoided, although the mother tongue is sometimes used to explain new words or to check comprehension.
We recognise that individual learners have different learning styles as well as different reasons for learning the language. We try to meet learners’ needs by offering a variety of opportunities including:
- Praveśa (entry level), Paricaya (2nd level), Śikṣā (3rd level) and Kovida (4th level) weekly classes on Skype
- Conducting Sanskrit exams (at four levels) twice a year
- Annual saṃbhāṣana shibirams (residential camps) for spoken sanskrit
- Organizing workshops and lectures by Sanskrit scholars
- Promoting Sanskrit textbooks and literature.