Learn To Read
These courses are designed to teach the alphabet in a structured and efficient method. Desipora currently has courses in Hindi, Urdu, Tamil, and Punjabi (Gurmukhi and Shahmukhi). We have more courses currently in development and are hoping to release ones for Bengali and Telugu by the end of the year.
How this course works
Each lesson takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Each lesson follows the same structure
- Letters are introduced. Each is shown with an example word in your heritage language and an English word with the same sound (or a similar sound, and instructions on how to modify it).
- Explanations and examples: a short briefing on how the sounds combine, with a few example words.
- Recognition practice: a short flashcard test on the letters you have just learnt, and on how the consonants combine with vowels.
- Vocabulary transliteration: you read your new letters in whole words. You do not need to know what the words mean, only how to read them. You can add them to a flashcard activity to learn the meanings if you wish.
- The test: passing it unlocks the next lesson.
There are some recommended activities to do between the lessons. These are to ensure that you retain the letters for longer and do not speed through the course to forget it in a week or two. They include short practice activities depending on where you are in the course and how long it has been since you progressed. There is also an optional flashcard set you can add to for learning the meanings of words. This is just in case you come across any unfamiliar vocabulary that you would like to learn.
An example card
ਸੱਸਾ sassa
s · as in “sun”
This consonant is a simple "s" - the same sound English uses. Remember, its default reading with the built-in vowel is "sa".
This is one card from the first lesson of the Gurmukhi course. Most of the courses have 12 lessons, with 4-5 letters introduced each lesson.
Courses Offered
Currently we offer courses for Hindi, Urdu, Tamil, and Punjabi (both for Gurmukhi and Shahmukhi). There are always more in development, if you would like to stay up to date, follow our Instagram page.
Free Trial and Discounts
Trial it before you purchase it, we offer the first 3 lessons (25% of the course) for free, even without an account. After that it is a one-time purchase of $20 for access to the rest of the course. After completion, you will get a code for a free month for the vocabulary course.
If you want to do another alphabet course, like doing our Hindi course then moving on to the Urdu course, there is a 50% off discount for any others, so only $10.