1. What will I learn in the Sambhashana Shibiram/Online Sambhashana Vargah?
The sambhashana Shibiram classes and the content are structured to impart maximum learning using the spoken word, in the 10 days, 2 hours a day. You will be learning how to speak samskrutham easily. You will get ample opportunity to "Listen" to samskrutham. Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing - is the order in which a language is and should be learnt!! If your mother tongues is an Indian Language, you will find out how natural it is for you to learn Samskrutham.
2. Is there a age limit for the Sambhashana Shibiram or any of these courses? Do I need to learn anything before coming?
No there are generally no age limits for the Sambhashana Shibiram. (Spoken Sanskrit Workshop). However when you come here be prepared to learn like a child and show the enthusiasm of a child and participate in all activities guided by the teacher/instructor.
The Sarala pareeksha is generally recommended for beginners, The postal course is generally recommended for students over 14.
3. Do I have to know to write Devanagiri ? Does the 10 Day Spoken Sanskrit course teach Devanagiri Lipi writing ?
For the Spoken Sanskrit course - you do not need to know to read or write in Devanagiri. No. In general the primary focus is on the spoken word. However depending on the student group a teacher may introduce the varnamala. Followup weekly classes that are usually arranged after the spoken Sanskrit workshops can help with writing/reading practice.
4. Lot of people in my neighbourhood are interested - can we do once a week classes?
No. The 10 day course is 2 hours a day 10 continuous days is structured for maximum practice and retention and recall. Doing this weekly will likely not yield best results. Once the 10 day course is over and you have taken part in it - weekly classes/weekly classes are arranged for furtherment.
5. Can the Spoken Sanskrit Shibiram/10 day course be delivered online?
No. If you are a teacher you shouldn't. If you are a new Sanskrit student you should avoid this and find a class where there is lot of interaction and other students to learn from and interact during the 10 days.
6. How long before I am able to speak in Sanskrit fluently?
If you pay attention and participate in all classes and all the activities and interaction in the class - you will be able to
1. Within the 10 days understand simply spoken sanskrit very easily,
2. You will be able to receive Sanskrit based instruction easily.
3. Within the 10 days you will be able to create and deliver simple Sanskrit sentences by yourself
4. If you attend the weekend classes scheduled after the shibiram/sambhashana varga and do your own reading and listening - Within 3 to 6 months you can be be very fluent in conversational sanskrit - you will be surprised.
Samskrita Bharati has a well established set of steps you can go through for your Samskrit Learning - the Sambhashana Shibiras and Weekly meets are the foundation to that learning. See here सोपानानि - Steps for additional details.
7. Will I have to by-heart the Rama Shabda ? - I hated it when I was a child!
The 10 day courses are run using Samskrita Bharati's proven method of teaching. The structure in which the 10 day course is taught - you will not even observe you are learning. The teaching method focuses on examples and lots of practice and interaction rather than rules and grammar. Most students don't even use pen and paper during these 10 days.
For the 10 day course you won't need go through complete Rama shabda etc. However as time goes it will come to you naturally.
8. Is there a fee for these courses?
There are no fees for the Spoken Sanskrit Course (10 days) - Completely free. You may purchase books if you need them.
Other details (see सोपानानि - Steps)
For the Postal courses - there are no fees for the weekly patrachara contact classes conducted in your locality or at aksharam.
The patrachara / postal samskrutham course fee is about 300 rupees for the book and the exam per level (4 levels)
The Sarala Samskrutha Pareeksha book costs 50 per level (4 levels). There is a 25 rupee exam fee for each level.
The Diploma in Teaching course has a fee. Contact Aksharam for details
9. I work - Can the classses be run in the morning? I am stay-home mom - can the classes be run mid day when children are away? I come late from work - what about late evenings?
This depends on the availability of teacher and the enthusiasm of the participants. We need a group of 10-15 people to run on set of classes - that is the best environment for interactive learning. Please register your name/email and convenient timings and location - we will finda way to accomodate your request and bring a class to you your area as soon as a quorum is available. Please register here :- we will contact you when classes are being arranged : पञ्जीकरणम् - Register
10. Are there books for learning sanskrit>? Is there a sambhashana shibiram book ?
Yes there are 100s of books published by Samskrita Bharati and others for beginners you may order them from Samskritabharati.in website. However we suggest you first complete the 10 day interactive course, and start attending the weekly classes, then follow it up with self-learning from books and youtube and other resources. There are several wonderful resources for learning Sanskrit made available by Sanskrit Promotion Foundation, Vyoma Labs and other such organizations. You may look them up on Google.
11. Will I be able to understand the vedas after this course ? Or HOw long before I will be able to read and understand the vedas myself
Your pursuit is noble. However the answer is No. Self Reading and understanding the vedas takes years of understanding of language, grammar. However you will be able to listen to someone explaining this in simple sanskrit and understand.
11. Will I be able to understand the shastras and kavyas say after 6 months or one Year.
Your enthusiasm is greatly appreciated. This entirely depends on how much time you put in the your studies every day. The general path lots of beginners have taken is to finish the 2 year Kovida postal course. Generally people find a guru/teacher to work with and learn. This is the best approach. You may also take courses such as BA, MA or other bridge courses, - several of which are offered online and finished those also. All of this depends on you. While you are studying the BA, MA you will be able to self learn several of kavyaas and shastras yourself. You will continue to need to build your vocabulary with daily practice - Over time you will be can get proficient with constant practice and study.
Look up Vyoma Labs, Sanskrit Promotion Foundation, Samskrita Bharti etc..