Several organisations in Bengaluru are offering short-term courses in Kannada. And the demand for conversational Kannada lessons is high.
Kannadigas are proud of their language, and rightly so. Since the 1990s, as Bengaluru grew as an IT hub, it has attracted people from all over India with no exposure to the language. The city is known today for its ethnic diversity, but sadly, a whole generation is growing up chanting ‘Kannad gothilla.’
The Kannada Prasaara Parishat (KPP) is among the many groups imparting Kannada lessons. It began in 1990. It teaches spoken, written and advanced Kannada every year in July, August and September for a nominal fee of Rs 600. The three-month course is conducted every Sunday from 10.30 am to 1 pm.
“We have students from all walks of life, from IAS and income tax officers to Infosys and IBM employees. We use real life situations to train our students,” says B V Raghavan, on the faculty. He has 40 years of experience in teaching Kannada. This year, the classes begin on July 8. Many other groups offer Kannada lessons. A two-month Kannada course is offered by NILE Institute of Language and Education.
It includes free conversation workshops with creative games and theatre in Kannada.
Kannada Language School offers spoken Kannada (four weekends), Kannada reading and writing (five weekends), advanced conversation (three weekends) and online courses. It provides its own material and curriculum. The team also teaches at corporate companies across the city.
Good To Excellence offers a five-week course and a three-week course. Its fees range from Rs 5,200 to
Rs 6,200.
The institute Speak offers a one-month course, with batches from 6 am to 9 pm on weekdays and weekends. It provides all study material. Fees start from Rs 3,950.
Kannada teaching centres
Kannada Prasaara Parishat: Medical Plaza, 24, Bowed Ln E St, Ashok Nagar, Bangalore 560 025 (Opp Lifestyle, Richmond Road); Contact: 94488 78569.
NILE Institute of Language and Education: #145/1, 9th main, Malleshpalya, Bangalore 560075; phone 9844908388, 9019891318.
Kannada Language School: 2nd Floor, Seva Sadan training Institute, Above South Indian Bank, #3417, 8th Main, 3rd Cross, Koramangala, Bengaluru 560034; phone 099005 77225.
Good to Excellence: 18, ‘BMR Sankirana, 6th Main, 1st Cross, BTM Layout 2nd Stage, Bangalore - 560 076 (landmark - behind Indian Oil petrol pump); phone 94835 07050, 9739607050.
Speak: Kumaraswamy layout, Banashankari, next to Dayanand Sagar College, Bangalore 560 078; phone 98452 40492.