LANGUAGE COURSES
Colloquial Tibetan Language Courses
The Heart of Tibetan Language at SINI offers innovative, joyful online colloquial Tibetan courses for learners worldwide — whether you’re studying for travel, Dharma, research, or pure love of language. Our courses are available both as live classes with a global community of fellow students, and as self-paced options for independent learners who prefer to study on their own schedule.
Start with the alphabet if you’re new to Tibetan script, then build everyday conversational skills through our Beginner and Intermediate levels. Our Advanced courses blend colloquial language with Dharma vocabulary, guiding you toward understanding teachings directly in Tibetan. No matter where you are in your journey, there’s a place for you here — and a supportive community to learn alongside.
ཕྱག་ཕེབས་གནང་བྱུང་། Welcome!
Live Courses
Colloquial Tibetan 101
Instructor: Colloquial Language Team
Learn basic modern spoken Tibetan through our innovative program based on The Heart of Tibetan Language Volume 1 – Lessons 1-5. Begin to grow your first conversational skills and gain insight into Tibetan thought, grammar and culture. You’ll also begin to grow your metacognitive skills, “learning how to learn”.
Colloquial Tibetan 102
Instructor: Colloquial Language Team
Dates: Sun, Jan 11 – Sun, Jul 19, 2026
Continue to grow your basic language skills of listening, reading, grammar and conversation based on The Heart of Tibetan Language Volume 1 – Lessons 6-10. You’ll learn how to conjugate verbs and have basic conversations about everyday topics. Cultural as well as intra- and inter-personal skills are also being fostered.
Colloquial Tibetan 201
Instructor: Colloquial Language Team
Continue your journey of studying colloquial Tibetan by engaging in intermediate grammar and conversational topics based on THoTL Volume 2 – Lessons 11-15. Based on a variety of resources and assignments, you’ll continue to grow your speaking, listening, grammar as well as the soft skills (caring, human dimension and meta-cognition).
Colloquial Tibetan 202
Instructor: Colloquial Language Team
Dates: Sun, Jan 11 – Sun, Jul 19, 2026
You’ll continue to familiarize yourself with important intermediate grammar topics, such as reported speech, comparison, nominaliser and more. The conversational topics include ལོ་གསར།Tibetan New Year, pilgrimage, health and more. This course is based on THoTL Volume 2 – Lessons 16-20.
Colloquial Tibetan 301
Instructor: Colloquial Language Team
Begin to familiarize yourself with relevant Dharma vocabulary and topics, such as the life of the Buddha, the Three Turnings of the Wheel, refuge and more, uniquely blended with colloquial language, based on the yet to be published THoTL Volume 3 – Lessons 21-25.
Colloquial Tibetan 302
Instructor: Colloquial Language Team
Dates: Sun, Jan 11 – Sun, Jul 19, 2026
Grow more comfortable hearing and reading Dharma vocabulary blended with colloquial language, you’ll explore more Dharma topics, such as The Four Seals, bodhicitta, meditation and more, all while still deepening your insight into Tibetan language and culture as well your path of learning. Based on THoTL Volume 3 – Lessons 25-30.
Self-Paced Courses
Self-Paced: Learn to Read
Instructor: Colloquial Language Team
This self-paced course is designed for anyone who wants to gain fluency in reading the Tibetan དབུ་ཅན། (U-chen) script and Wylie transliteration. With engaging videos, detailed explanations, and individual tutoring sessions, you’ll gradually build the confidence to read Tibetan script accurately.
Self-Paced: Beginner
Instructor: Colloquial Language Team
The Beginner self-paced learning gives you the freedom to study Tibetan on your own schedule while still following the trusted structure of The Heart of Tibetan Language, Volume 1. Whether you want the full set of resources or prefer to focus on the webinars and key-point videos, you’ll find clear explanations, engaging media, and practical tools that help you build a strong foundation.
Self-Paced: Intermediate
Instructor: Colloquial Language Team
The Intermediate self-paced learning is designed for learners ready to go beyond the basics and take on more complex grammar and conversation. Building on The Heart of Tibetan Language, Volume 2, these resources support you in expanding your skills so you can share stories, express opinions, and connect more deeply with Tibetan culture.
Self-Paced: Advanced
Instructor: Colloquial Language Team
The Advanced self-paced learning is designed for students who want to deepen their Tibetan while exploring dharma vocabulary and advanced grammar. Using materials from The Heart of Tibetan Language, Volume 3 (beta version), these resources take you beyond everyday conversation into meaningful discussions about Buddhist themes such as the life of the Buddha, the Three Turnings of the Wheel, and the practice of refuge.
Tibetan Language Programs Team
SINI’s Tibetan Language Program includes an international team of dedicated native and non-native speakers delivering both Classical and Colloquial Tibetan courses through innovative teaching methods.
Franziska Oertle
Director
Paul Wobig
Assistant Teacher
Tenzin Ghegay
Teacher
Ania Sambroska
Assistant Teacher
Tzoe Wong
Registrar
Nat Thammamitr
Assistant Teacher
Lhakpa Tsering
Teacher
Bhargavi Viswanath
Assistant
Alexandra Sukhanova
Teacher
Melissa Katz
Assistant
Pema Woeser
Assistant Teacher
Juan-Felipe Garcia Peña
Online Learning Developer
Volunteer with Us
Preserve Sacred Wisdom Through Service
Join our Classical Tibetan program team and help preserve one of the world’s most precious literary traditions! We welcome volunteers to support the administration and teaching of this sacred language program. Help bridge ancient wisdom with modern learning by assisting with course coordination, student support, and educational activities while working alongside dedicated instructors and scholars in the sacred setting of Sarnath. Your contribution will help students access millennia of Buddhist philosophy, meditation, medicine, and poetry in their original form.
Ready to make a meaningful impact? Apply today by contacting us.
