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ALL News – March 5th, 2026

Open House at the Language Lab: Honouring International Women’s Rights Day

International Women’s Rights Day is being observed globally on 8 March, and the UN’s 2026 call is “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls.” In India, this day carries particular meaning: women were granted equal voting rights from the very beginning of the Republic through universal adult franchise, and they went on to participate in the country’s first general election in 1951–52.

In this spirit, the Auroville Language Laboratory warmly invites you to a special Open House on Saturday 07 March, from 9:30 to 12:30, with speakers reflecting on the theme of International Women’s Rights Day. It will be a morning of sharing, listening, and togetherness — an opportunity to gather in community, honor women’s voices and contributions, and reflect on the ongoing journey toward equality, dignity, and participation for all.

Come discover our space, meet members of the Language Lab community, and join us in marking this important occasion in a spirit of dialogue, learning, and welcome. As we celebrate the strength of women’s voices in India and around the world, we also celebrate the values that sustain a living democracy: inclusion, respect, and the right of every person, regardless of gender, to be heard. India’s democratic framework has long rested on universal adult suffrage, and that legacy remains central to conversations about women’s rights and public participation today.

Language Lab Building Tours with Mita

Mita warmly invites you to discover the Auroville Language Lab building through a guided tour that highlights its thoughtful design and an inspiring approach to sustainable, healthy, and conscious construction.

  • When: Every Saturday, resuming this Saturday, 7 February
  • Time: 3:00 – 3:45 pm
  • Contribution: By free contribution
  • Registration: Mandatory by Friday, NO Drop-Ins.
  • Please register via WhatsApp +91 98430 30355
  • Open to: Everyone

Come explore this stellar example of mindful architecture and learn more about the vision behind the building. We look forward to welcoming you!

Courses

Current Schedule of Classes as of 5 March, 2026
See details here > https://aurovillelanguagelab.org/current-schedule/.

NEW! Symbols, Stories & Speech

Mandarin Chinese Through Art and Culture

Level A1 | Beginner Friendly

We are delighted to invite you to a unique and creative Mandarin learning journey at the Auroville Language Lab. This special beginner course blends language, art, culture, and conversation into one joyful experience.

👩‍🏫 Teacher

Shiju Hsieh
National Taiwan Normal University
PhD student in Teaching Mandarin Chinese as a Second Language

📅 Course Details

Duration: March 9 – April 30
Total: 16 sessions (16 hours)
Schedule: Tuesday & Thursday
Time: 14:30 – 15:30
Level: A1 (Complete Beginners Welcome)

🌏 Course Description

Discover Mandarin through art, stories, and real-life conversations.
In this course, you will:

  • Paint ancient Chinese characters
  • Speak with growing confidence
  • Explore vibrant cultural traditions
  • Build practical survival communication skills

This joyful beginner course nurtures global awareness and intercultural friendship, while developing strong foundational language skills.

🎯 Course Goals

  • Functional survival communication in Mandarin
  • Foundational literacy in Traditional & Simplified Chinese
  • Cultural immersion & intercultural awareness
  • Embodied learning through calligraphy & symbolic thinking
  • Community-based dialogic learning

✨ Each Session Includes

  • 1️⃣ Oracle Bone Script (甲骨文) Brush Exploration
  • 2️⃣ Survival Conversation Practice
  • 3️⃣ Cultural Experience

This course is ideal for anyone curious about the Mandarin language and Chinese culture, and especially for learners who enjoy creative, embodied, and community-based learning. Please register through the following contact options
Phone: +91 413 262 3661 | +91 98430 30355 (WhatsApp)
Email: info@aurovillelanguagelab.org
Web site: https://www.aurovillelanguagelab.org/registration

We look forward to learning together. 🌿

NEW! Mandarin Survival Conversation for Living in Taiwan & China

Planning to live, volunteer, study, or travel in Taiwan or China? This Mandarin Survival Conversation course is designed to help you communicate with confidence, cultural sensitivity, and ease in everyday situations. Led by Shiju Hsieh, a PhD student at National Taiwan Normal University, specialising in teaching Mandarin Chinese as a second language, this course offers a highly practical and interactive approach to spoken Mandarin.

  • Level: A1–A2
  • Duration: 2 March – 2 April
  • Schedule: Monday to Friday
  • Time: 11:00 – 12:00
  • Total duration: 24 hours
  • Format: 100% interactive speaking class

Course Focus
This course emphasizes mindful communication, respectful intercultural dialogue, and real-life survival skills, supporting learners as they navigate daily life in Mandarin-speaking environments.

Students will:

  • Recognize basic Chinese characters and build speaking confidence
  • Practice authentic daily conversations
  • Develop listening comprehension
  • Understand Taiwanese and Chinese social norms
  • Engage in cooperative pair and group dialogue

Each class includes:

  1. Warm-up (10 min)
  2. Core functional language (20 min)
  3. Guided dialogue practice (20 min)
  4. Reflection & cultural insight (10 min)

Topics include:
Self-introduction • Numbers & phone communication • Ordering food in local restaurants • Bubble tea culture • Asking for directions • Daily life & transportation • Shopping at traditional markets • Talking about food preferences • Invitations & plans • Health & practical matters • Festivals in Taiwan & China

This course is ideal for learners seeking practical Mandarin for real-world use, taught in a supportive and engaging learning environment.

Contact: +91 413 262 3661 | +91 98430 30355 (WhatsApp)
Email: info@aurovillelanguagelab.org
Register: www.aurovillelanguagelab.org/registration

New Beginner German Course (A1.1) with Verena
We are happy to announce a new Beginner German (A1.1) course starting Tuesday,
3 March 2026, with Verena, a native German speaker.

Schedule:
• Tuesdays & Fridays
• 9:00–10:30 am … early bird time 🐔

Duration:
36 hours total, spread over 3 months

This course is designed for complete beginners and offers a balanced introduction to listening, speaking, reading, and writing, with a strong focus on practical, everyday communication. A warm welcome to anyone curious to begin their journey with the German language. Registering early will help ensure the minimum number of students to launch the course is met.
https://aurovillelanguagelab.org/registration/

Gibberish Lab — Beyond Words
A new experiential course with Siddharth

The Gibberish Lab is a 3-month experiential journey inviting participants to step beyond structured language and rediscover the joy, spontaneity, and deep connection that can arise through communication without words.

Through playful exploration and embodied expression, this course opens a space where meaning emerges naturally—beyond grammar, beyond labels.

  • Starts: Saturday, 28 February 2026
  • When: Every Saturday, 4:00 – 5:00 pm
  • Facilitator: Siddharth
  • Drop-ins: Possible

Open to anyone curious to explore communication in a freer, more intuitive way.

English Intermediate with Ashwini
Ready to take your English to the next level? Join Ashwini for a practical and engaging Intermediate English course designed to strengthen your spoken English through real-life conversations and clear, useful grammar.

New English for Beginners with Ashwini
Join our beginner English course and build confidence in listening, speaking, and everyday communication. Learn essential vocabulary for daily life, shopping, travel, and simple conversations.

It’s back! Dive into French with Isabelle – Intensive 2-Week Course

The very popular course combines one hour of lively conversation sessions with Isabelle with one hour of interactive practice in our Mediatheque. With this balanced approach, you’ll gain confidence, fluency, and a deeper understanding of French. Classes begin 2 March 2026 and run Monday to Friday, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, for a total of 20 hours (10 hours with the teacher and 10 hours of Mediatheque practice). Spots are very limited — only five (5) participants will be admitted — so early registration is highly recommended.

Beginner French with Jean-François

This 16-hour, 2-month course is ideal for those who want to learn French. The classes are highly interactive, covering everyday vocabulary and the basics of grammar. By the end of the course, you will be able to make simple sentences useful for interaction and talk about your work, hobbies, and daily life in a simple way.

  • Course started 28 January
  • Classes every Monday and Wednesday, 2:30–3:30 pm.

French with Jean-François (Intermediate level)
This 16-hour, 2-month course is ideal for those with some knowledge of French but who are not yet comfortable conversing. The course will focus on day-to-day topics and will be a good mix of grammar, verbal as well as written exercises. By the end of the course, students will be able to communicate in the present, past and future tenses. Students can join the class at any time.

  • Course started 27 January
  • Classes every Tuesday and Thursday, 2:00–3:00 pm.

Elementary French with Jean-François (post-beginner level)
This 16-hour, 2-month course is ideal for those who already possess a beginner-level knowledge of French. Perfect for learners beyond the basics, the course will focus on day-to-day topics and will be a good mix of grammar, verbal, and written exercises. Students can join the class at any time.

  • Course started 29 January
  • Classes every Tuesday and Thursday, 3:00–4:00 pm.

Tamil (Intermediate) with Saravanan
Learn Tamil in a friendly group setting. This Intermediate Course takes you to the next level, paying more attention to grammar and verb tenses.

  • Start Date: 17 February
  • Schedule: Tuesdays & Fridays, 9:30–10:30 am
  • Instructor: Saravanan
  • 24-hour course over 3 months

Tamil (Beginner) with Saravanan
Learn Tamil in a friendly group setting. This Beginner Course focuses on spoken Tamil and everyday communication with practical, simple activities.

  • Start Date: 16 February
  • Schedule: Mondays & Wednesdays, 5:30–6:30 pm
  • Instructor: Saravanan
  • 24-hour course over 3 months

Film Shows

Two documentary films, one on the Alfred Tomatis method (48 minutes) and one on the special features of the Language Lab building (27 minutes), are available on our new website and at the Lab, where you are welcome to come and watch them. All are welcome.

Reminder about our free Evening Programs
The evening conversation sessions are a chance for everyone to practice speaking with native speakers and offer their time. Barring indicated exceptions, these sessions usually happen weekdays from 5–6 pm (barring exceptions) as follows:

  • Mondays: French with Isabelle (1st, 3rd and 5th week of the month)
    … with Coco and Gaspard (2nd and 4th week of the month) 5–6 pm
  • Wednesdays: Sanskrit chanting with Remesh 5:30–6:30 pm
  • Wednesdays also: The Mother’s Entretiens: A series of Reading and Discussion Sessions
    Practice French and Explore the Mother’s Vision.
    Facilitated by Jean-François, French teacher at the Auroville Language Lab
    Every Wednesday, 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
    Started 12 November
    Open to all
  • Thursdays: English conversation with Alex 5:30-6:30 pm
  • Fridays: Hindi conversation with Anu, 5:00 to 6:00 pm

Communication with the Lab
Service through our BSNL phone numbers 262-3661 (Lab) and 262-2467 (Tomatis). For language-related matters, you can also use +91 98430 30355 (WhatsApp). For Tomatis, please use the 350-9932 number.

Mita, Riki, Smriti & Louis for the Auroville Language Lab