Do you want to learn the mysteries contained within Tibetan texts?
I have long been interested in religion, language, and literature. But when I enrolled my first Tibetan language class at McGill University in 2016, I did it on a bit of a whim. I had originally planned to learn Classical Chinese and to study Chinese Buddhism.
Everything changed one day when I saw a bulletin post about an upcoming Classical Tibetan language course. I recognized that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so I enrolled. And as I delved into the texts, I fell in love with the rich and deep world of Tibetan language, mysticism, arts, and culture. I first became comfortable reading Buddhist texts in Tibetan, and then moved on to study grammatical literature to help others learn the language too.
Do you want to:
- Read Buddhist and Bönpo religious texts directly in their source language
- Learn the art of healing through Tibetan medicine
- Understand religious terms correctly
- Discover your fate through Tibetan astrology
- Enrich your experience of chanting and recitations
- Explore contemporary Tibetan news and novels
- Uncover hidden knowledge never translated into English
Book a lesson to start learning!
Unlike most Tibetan language teachers, I have a background in linguistics and often read linguistics research on the Tibetan language. I’ve also studied multiple classical Buddhist languages, including Classical Sanskrit, Classical Chinese, Classical Mongolian, and Classical Manchu. I have 3 years of experience tutoring Classical Tibetan specifically.
Whatever your background and whatever your goals, I know that you are capable of learning Tibetan. I am committed to sharing what I’ve learned over the past 9 years of study to help you reach mastery of the language. But nothing will happen if you don’t take the plunge.
The Tibetan language is a rare and precious thing.
Don’t wait on the sidelines — start your journey today.
Email template you can use (copy-and-paste)
Hello, my name is [name] and I am interested in your [1 hour / 30 minute / PWC] Tibetan language classes. I am free on [days of the week] at [time + time zone] and [other days of the week] at [time + time zone]. I want to book a class [X times a week / weekly / every 2 weeks / other]. I am interested in the Tibetan language because [reason]. Thank you.
Class types + fees
I have different pricing for high cost-of-living (COL) countries and low COL countries1 because of the vast difference in their average pay and cost-of-living. Classes are taught online through Zoom or other similar software.
- High cost-of-living countries (e.g. Canada, US, England, France):
- Low COL countries (e.g. India, Nepal, Bhutan):
- $17 USD per class
- $8 USD per half-class
- 50% discount: Have a friend that wants to learn Tibetan with you? Ask for a group class with just the two of you, and pay $8 USD per person for a full class.
- Pay-what-you-can (PWYC) for group lessons4
Additional info
One trial lesson of 30 minutes per student is available on request.
Students do not need to purchase any textbooks or course materials. All relevant resources will be provided.
- Here, countries in North America and Europe, plus Australia and New Zealand, are considered “High-COL”. Countries in South Asia such as India, Nepal, or Bhutan are considered “Low-COL”. I will evaluate countries in other regions on a case-by-case basis, and am open to negotiating pro-rated costs based on the local cost of living. ↩︎
- Classes are 55 minutes long if they start on time. I try to make them 60 minutes long, but sometimes may need a 5-minute break between classes. ↩︎
- Half-classes are 25 minutes long if they start on time. I try to make them 30 minutes long, but sometimes may need a 5-minute break between classes. ↩︎
- PWYC students do not immediately get lessons. Instead, they need to send me 3 pieces of information: 1) How much they can pay per hour; 2) What days and times they are available; and 3) How frequently they want to have lessons.
Then, if enough other PWYC students express interest in the same time slot, and if the amount they can pay adds up to $36 USD/hour, then we will book group lessons for those times. It will take time to collect enough expressions of interest to find mutually compatible time slots. The availability of PWYC lessons is therefore not guaranteed. ↩︎