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You are currently viewing ALL News – March 19th, 2026

ALL News – March 19th, 2026

Language Lab Building Tours

The Language Lab 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 19 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: 16 March – 16 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 Conversation with Ashwini
Would you like to speak English more confidently in daily life, work, and community conversations? Join our 3-Month English Conversation Course designed to help learners move from basic to advanced conversation skills in a supportive and interactive environment.

  • Starting: 18th March
  • Days: Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays
  • Time: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

What You Will Learn

  • Vocabulary building for everyday communication
  • Correct pronunciation
  • Simple grammar for daily use
  • Public speaking practice
  • Interactive activities and role play

This course focuses on practical speaking skills, helping you gain the confidence to communicate clearly and effectively in English.

Improve your confidence and communicate effectively.

Enquiries / Registrations Landline: 0413-2623661
WhatsApp: +91 98430 30355
info@aurovillelanguagelab.org
www.aurovillelanguagelab.org/registration

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.

Intermediate English Conversation with Riki Dwivedi
Would you like to speak English more confidently in daily life, work, and community conversations? Join our 3-Month English Conversation Course designed to help learners move from basic to advanced conversation skills in a supportive and interactive environment.

  • Starting: 18th March
  • Days: Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays
  • Time: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

What You Will Learn

  • Vocabulary building for everyday communication
  • Correct pronunciation
  • Simple grammar for daily use
  • Public speaking practice
  • Interactive activities and role play

This course focuses on practical speaking skills, helping you gain the confidence to communicate clearly and effectively in English.

Improve your confidence and communicate effectively.Enquiries / Registrations

Landline: 0413-2623661
WhatsApp: +91 98430 30355
info@aurovillelanguagelab.org
www.aurovillelanguagelab.org/registration

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.

Intermediate Tamil Conversation with Saravanan
Spots available!

Improve your speaking, listening, and everyday Tamil communication!

Our Tamil Intermediate Class offers a friendly and interactive space for learners who already know basic Tamil and want to develop greater fluency and confidence in conversation.Class Details

  • Teacher: Saravanan
  • Sarting: 21 March
  • Day: Saturday
  • Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

What You Will Practice

  • Real-life conversation practice
  • Interactive activities
  • Vocabulary building and practical exercises
  • Cultural insights into Tamil language and life

This course is designed to help learners strengthen everyday communication skills through engaging discussions, practical exercises, and guided conversation practice.

A welcoming learning environment for students who already know basic Tamil and want to go deeper.Enquiries / Registration

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
  • 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