Why OSLS?

OSLS is for you if:

  • You are planning on being in India for 3 months or longer.
  • Communicating with everyday people in everyday language is a priority to you.
  • You desire to facilitate your own learning process.
  • You need a flexible program which accommodates to your schedule.

Which stage should I do?

  • I have little to no experience in Hindi or Urdu. Do stage 1.
  • I have studied Hindi or Urdu or I speak at a low-mid level. Do stage 2.
  • I speak Hindi or Urdu but I would like to deepen my conversational skills or focus on my professional language needs. Do stage 3.
  • See our Stage Comparison Chart.

Basic components of OSLS:

  • Your Needs - If you need to learn something you are motivated to learn it. OSLS begins by teaching you what you need to know to survive in India. You learn to understand and speak the most commonly used phrases and every day vocabulary. As your proficiency deepens you are able to choose topics according to your situation and profession. (For example- a doctor will be able to focus on medical topics, a businessperson on financial topics, etc.) The curriculum is well rounded and covers many areas, but you can tailor your studies to focus on your particular interests and needs.
  • Communication Oriented - You cannot become a proficient communicator through memorizing vocabulary and studying from books. You must interact with people! OSLS puts you in contact with native speakers from the very beginning so that you can practice listening and speaking. You learn to express yourself the way they do. Reading and writing are emphasized only after establishing a solid base of listening comprehension and speaking ability.
  • Language Helper - Your main source of learning will be your language helper. This person is a native Hindi or Urdu speaker of your same gender. From your language helper you will learn the way that people actually express themselves. It is not necessary for your helper to be trained in teaching or tutoring. Your goal is to learn Hindi that people actually use so that you can communicate with them. Your helper will be able to give you that.
  • Personal Resources - OSLS provides a variety of creative resources and teaches you how to use them in order to effectively understand and produce spoken and written Hindi or Urdu.
  • 6 hours per day - It is most beneficial for a full time language learner to focus on language 6 hours per day, 5 days per week.
    We suggest:
    1 ½ hour of time with a language helper
    2 hours of personal study time
    1 ½ hour of community practice time
    This can be adjusted according to your personal schedule.

How do I get started?

Determine which stage you could begin or contact us.
Enroll in the appropriate Camp online.
Attend the OSLS Camp and get learning!