This story is from July 11, 2017

Telugu diaspora teaches language to the new generation

In a bid to ensure that children learn their mother tongue, Telugu diaspora in the US, UK, Brunei and other countries have launched a mission to teach their children the language. So far, if children were watching Telugu films to be familiar with the language, it will henceforth be a formal affair to learn it.
Telugu diaspora teaches language to the new generation
HYDERABAD: In a bid to ensure that children learn their mother tongue, Telugu diaspora in the US, UK, Brunei and other countries have launched a mission to teach their children the language. So far, if children were watching Telugu films to be familiar with the language, it will henceforth be a formal affair to learn it. While the effort is a serious one, it will be but fun and action is included too.
The Telugu Association of Scotland (TAS) in UK which recently screened ‘Bahubali-2’, ‘Duvvada Jagannadam’, ‘Raarandoi Veeduka Chuddam’ and actor Nani’s latest film ‘Ninnu Kori’ is organizing a Telugu learning course from August 26.

“This is as part of our ongoing commitment to safeguard our culture and traditions,” TAS committee announced saying that the from the beginning of the new academic year, children in Scotland with learn Telugu.
What is being stressed about the classes is that they will be held ‘face to face’ for children in the age group of 4-6, and for those above six years of age in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and also in Livingston. The 36-week course will follow Mana Badi curriculum drawn up by Silicon Andhra, USA. Examinations will be conducted and certificates will be awarded.
The initiative in Scotland is being applauded by Telugu associations in other countries too. Dr Achaiah Kumar Rao President, Telugu Association of Malaysia lauded the effort. Ramana Rao of Brunei Telugu Association has also informed that Telugu language classes had begun from July 9 at Darrusalam.
“At present we do not have any structured way of doing it but we are taking Telugu class books from AP/Telangana and trying to follow those,” he said. He sought to know from the Telugu Association in Scotland if there were any other better methods.
Silicon Andhra Manabadi, in the US, has in the last one decade taught Telugu to 27,000 children across the US. Now another method is being adopted to get children interested in Telugu. SiliconAndhra Manabadi is organized national drama competitions and Children’s drama festival on July 15-16 for junior students and senior students. A drama skills workshop will also be conducted by D S Dikshith at University of Silicon Andhra, in Milpitas, California. The ‘ManaBadi’ programme to teach Telugu was also organised in New Jersey from July 7-9.
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About the Author
Ch Sushil Rao

Sushil Rao is Editor-Special Reports, at The Times of India, Hyderabad. He began his journalism career at the age of 20 in 1988. He is a gold medalist in journalism from the Department of Communication and Journalism, Arts College, Osmania University, Hyderabad from where he did his post-graduation from. He has been with The Times of India’s Hyderabad edition since its launch in 2000. He has also done an introductory course in film studies from the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune, and also from the Central University of Kerala equipping himself with the knowledge of filmmaking for film criticism. He has authored four books. In his career spanning 34 years, he has worked for five newspapers and has also done television reporting. He was also a web journalist during internet’s infancy in the mid 1990s in India. He covers defence, politics, diaspora, innovation, administration, the film industry, Hyderabad city and Telangana state, and human interest stories. He is also a podcaster, blogger, does video reporting and makes documentaries.

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