Bangla School – Ankur

What is Ankur

Ankur is a volunteer based and participatory study group that meets on a regular basis to provide a structure for students to learn the Bengali language and value the culture. It operates like a co-operative where parents and other adults are required to contribute to and participate in its administration and operation. Ankur is based on the philosophy that learning a language beyond mainstream education requires the active involvement of parents. This not only stresses the importance of this endeavor to the children, but helps parents keep abreast of course material and home instruction tasks.

In Ankur students are:

1. Exposed to the language and culture of Bengalis;
2. Taught through immersion and role modeling;
3. Encouraged to understand and appreciate the Bengali language and heritage.

What a student gets out of Ankur depends on the following:

1. The amount of follow-up at home.
2. How much time/effort/thinking Ankur group members collectively decide to put into making Ankur successful.
3. Parent involvement in the academics of the section the student is in.

What Ankur is not

Ankur is not a school. Ankur is not designed for parents to drop their children off for lessons.  Though some exceptional instances may occur, it is requested that at all time, at least one parent be present during class.

Class Content

Ankur classes provide a non-competitive and supportive environment for students to develop the confidence to think, read and write Bengali, and to become familiar with Bengali culture

How to be part of Ankur

A prospective student wishing to be part of Ankur is advised to attend two classes to determine the appropriateness of Ankur for their educational objectives.. Please write to ankur@uttoron.org to know more and be a part of Ankur.