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Conversational Sanskrit - A breakthrough (FWD)
The following is from IndiaD digest.
jit
------------------ Forwarded Message -------------------------
From: SHAMASS@ml.wpafb.af.mil (Shamasundar)
Subject: Conversational Sanskrit - A breakthrough
While Krishna Shastry (**) was studying for his PG degree in Sanskrit, he
wondered " Why do we need to learn Sanskrit the hardway,... study the
grammar first, and read the difficult texts and never speak the language.."
Krishna Shastry was comparing the language learning process of, say, our
mother tongue to learning Sanskrit.
He did not feel comfortable with the situation and it inspired him to come
out with a revolutionary idea not only in the instruction of Sanskrit, but
in language instruction.
He concieved the idea of Sarala Samskrita Sambhasana Paddati (Simple
Sanskrit Conversational Technique). The Technique is very simple but
extremely effective. A Shibira" has been developed now. The course involves
group dynamics, games, experiential learning etc.
The Samskrita Sambashana Shibirs are being held routinely in several
schools, colleges and institutions such Indian Instute of Science and IIM-
Bangalore, IIT-M. Shibirs have also been conducted for IAS officers, MP's,
and in several places in USA, Germany and UK.
SUCCESS in Excess.
The Breakthrough instructional technique has recieved massive support and
is scaling from success to success. For example about 4000 teachers have
been trained. Hundreds of thousands of people (many without any prior
knowledge- including myself-) have participated in shibirs and LEARNT HOW
TO SPEAK IN SANSKRIT. (Many of them are now in US if you want to try....)
In some villages (for example Mathur in Shimoga District) more than 80% of
the population converse and transact in Sanskrit on a regular basis. There
are several Taluka places (for example Kundapur in SK District) where all
villages had at least one Sambhasana Shibir.
I have some brochures about this novel experiment and have some first had
experience which I can share to those interested.
(**C.M. Krishna Shastry, Aksharam, Girinagar,Bangalore 560085, India)
