Tibetan Study Programs
Explore our structured levels of Tibetan study programs designed for comprehensive learning.
This level establishes fundamental competencies in the Tibetan alphabet, basic grammar, and introductory conversational skills.
This level expands your linguistic repertoire and grammatical understanding, fostering enhanced comprehension and conversation skills in Tibetan.
This advanced level focuses on mastering intricate grammatical principles crucial for both the comprehension of classical Tibetan texts and spoken Tibetan.
Weekly classes for OSP Alumni to engage in continued study and keep their skills fresh.
Overview
Each OSP Travel Term runs for one intensive month, designed to immerse you fully in both the Tibetan language and the rich monastic environment. This month-long experience marks the completion of a full level of study within our curriculum.
Our daily schedule is designed to blend rigorous academic learning with unique cultural immersion:
Beyond the classroom, this structure offers opportunities for informal practice and cultural exchange, helping you integrate your learning directly into daily life at the monastery.
Class sizes are small to ensure every student gets individualized attention and personalized feedback on pronunciation.
OSP Level One: Your foundation in Tibetan Language
Course Content
Introductory spoken Tibetan: basic greetings, introductions, everyday essentials, classroom communication, numbers and simple vocabulary
Tibetan Alphabet Basics: You'll start by learning the thirty consonants and four vowels that form the core of the written language.
Essential Grammatical Components: We'll guide you through the rules of prefixes (five) and suffixes (twelve total), which are crucial for understanding word structure.
Complex Letter Forms: You'll learn to recognize and use fifteen subjoined letters, six reversed letters, and five "thug-po" letters that modify pronunciation and meaning.
Understanding Superscribed Letters: We'll explore how letters like RA, LA, and SA can appear above others, influencing pronunciation and meaning.
Mastering Root Modifications: You'll grasp the various Ya-tags (eight), Ra-tags (thirteen), and La-tags (six), including how they combine with vowel sounds like Shab-kyu.
Pronunciation Nuances: Finally, you'll learn to identify letters with the same tone and understand the ten letters with changing tones, refining your spoken Tibetan.
By the end of OSP Level One, you will be able to:
Read and write the Tibetan alphabet, including complex letter combinations.
Pronounce Tibetan words with increasing accuracy, understanding key tonal and phonetic rules.
Understand and apply foundational grammatical components like prefixes, suffixes, and letter modifications.
Engage in basic spoken Tibetan interactions, including greetings, introductions, and essential daily phrases
Possess a solid foundation in both written and spoken Tibetan for continued study.
OSP Level Two: Building Fluency & Deeper Grammar
Building on the strong foundation from Level One, this stage will empower you to construct more complex sentences, understand nuanced grammar, and engage in richer conversations. You'll move beyond the basics, gaining the tools for more fluent and confident communication.
Here's what you'll explore:
Crafting Sentences & Parts of Speech: You'll dive into the fundamental parts of speech and learn how to precisely talk about individuals, including indicating possession, location, and identification using specific ending letters. We'll also introduce you to the roles of subjects and objects in Tibetan sentences.
Mastering Time & Comparison: Gain the ability to express yourself across different timeframes by learning the four essential tenses of spoken Tibetan (present continuous, simple present, past, and future). You'll also discover how to make comparisons, using adjectives to describe and differentiate.
Five Golden Rules & Connectors: We'll introduce you to the "Five Golden Rules", focusing on how to effectively use genitive and agentive case particles—the key connectors that clarify relationships between words. You'll also learn about residual particles to enhance your spoken language.
Everyday Communication & Practical Skills: Expand your conversational toolkit by mastering interrogative words (asking questions), understanding plural and singular words, and becoming proficient with numbers (ordinal and cardinal). You'll learn to tell time, navigate the twelve months, weeks, and four seasons in Tibetan. This section also includes thirty essential spoken phrases for daily use.
Understanding & Using Verbs: Develop a deeper understanding of Tibetan verbs, differentiating between transitive verbs (where an action is performed on an object) and intransitive verbs (where the action doesn't require an object), which is key for accurate expression.
Real-World Fluency & Comprehension: Level Two culminates in extensive practical application. You'll engage in twenty spoken conversations, hone your listening and reading skills through stories, practice translating from Tibetan to English, and significantly improve your overall comprehension skills.
By the end of OSP Level Two, you'll possess a robust grammatical understanding and practical communication skills, allowing you to engage in more meaningful exchanges and deepen your study of the Dharma.
OSP Level Three: The Art of Tibetan Grammar
Course Content
OSP Level Three is where you truly unlock the intricacies of Tibetan grammar, transforming your understanding from foundational to more comprehensive understanding. This level marks a significant step, as we begin to weave scriptural grammar into your learning.
You'll dive deep into classic texts like Sum Cu Pa, Lek She Jung Wa, and "Auspicious Tree of Eloquence," gaining a nuanced grasp of how the Tibetan language works. Throughout this journey, Norbu will masterfully relate these complex scriptural concepts back to spoken Tibetan, ensuring a deeper and more intuitive understanding. This level is designed to refine your ability to speak conversational Tibetan, read, comprehend, and translate scriptural texts.
Here's what you'll explore:
Understanding the Eight Cases: These are essential grammatical tools that clarify the roles words play in a sentence, showing relationships like who is doing an action, where something is located, what belongs to whom, or where something originates. By understanding these fundamental connectors, you'll see how Tibetan sentences are logically built, not just in written texts, but in everyday spoken communication.
Building Richer Sentences & Nuanced Meaning: Beyond the cases, you'll learn to use various particles that seamlessly link phrases and sentences, adding depth and flow to your communication. You'll discover how to express comparisons, emphasize specific points, ask questions, or negate statements with greater precision. This knowledge empowers you to understand and create more complex and subtle meanings, both when reading ancient texts and conversing in modern Tibetan.
By the end of OSP Level Three, you will have a profound understanding of how Tibetan sentences are built, enabling you to confidently approach complex texts and engage with the Dharma on a much deeper linguistic level.
The OSP Bridge Program:
Stay Connected & Keep Learning
Our OSP Bridge Program ensures your Tibetan language journey continues seamlessly between annual travel terms. Designed for returning students, this online program is your dedicated pathway to keep your skills fresh, deepen your understanding, and remain connected to the OSP community.
Through engaging twice-weekly live sessions, you'll continue to hone your translation skills and delve into essential texts. The program also includes applied conversational practice and targeted grammar and vocabulary clinics, supporting your continued linguistic growth. Stay sharp, stay connected, and prepare confidently for your next immersion experience!