Bengali Language Seminar in Erlangen: An Introduction to the Language of Tagore
Bengali Language Course in Erlangen
On 21 November 2026, I will be teaching a one-day Bengali language course in Erlangen at the Volkshochschule Erlangen.
This seminar is designed for anyone who is curious about Bengali and would like a practical introduction to the language, its sounds, its script and the culture surrounding it.
Bengali — or Bangla — is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world and has a rich literary, musical and cultural tradition. For me, it is also the language I grew up speaking in Kolkata.
This course brings those two perspectives together: language learning and lived cultural experience.
What will we explore?
During the seminar, we will work with the language interactively rather than simply learning vocabulary from slides.
Participants will get an introduction to:
- Bengali pronunciation and sounds
- the Bengali script and alphabet
- useful everyday words and expressions
- simple sentences and conversation
- cultural context behind the language
- Bengali literature, music and everyday life
- the world of Rabindranath Tagore and Bengal
There will be opportunities to listen, speak, practise and experiment with the language throughout the day.
Who is this Bengali course for?
The seminar is suitable for complete beginners.
You do not need any previous knowledge of Bengali.
It is particularly suitable for people who are interested in languages, South Asian culture, India, Bangladesh, literature or simply want to discover something new.
More than vocabulary
A language carries much more than grammar.
It carries humour, relationships, food, music, history, habits and ways of seeing the world.
That is what I want to make visible during this workshop.
The aim is not to become fluent in one day. Instead, participants should leave with a first feeling for how Bengali works, how it sounds and what makes the language distinctive.
And, ideally, with a few Bengali sentences they can actually use.
Event details
Bengali Language Course – “Discover the Language of Tagore”
Date: Saturday, 21 November 2026
Time: 10:00–16:00
Location: Volkshochschule Erlangen, Germany
Language of instruction: German
Bengali level: Beginner / no previous knowledge required
Instructor: Tannistha Roy
Registration is handled directly through VHS Erlangen.
You can use the QR code in the event image or follow the registration link below.