Even those who cannot comprehend it are moved by its beauty. Few can hold back applause when they listen to a ghazal. The language of love cuts across barriers of faith and frontiers. Now one can learn Urdu without much fuss. What’s more, one can do this in a swift way.
Khalid Saeed, a professor at Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU), brings a rare freshness to Urdu learning. He adopts a linguistic approach to impart the language with ease and comfort. Twelve units and 24 lessons – that’s all required to master this zubaan of poetry.
Invaluable guidesProf. Saeed, who heads the Centre for Urdu Language, Literature and Culture at MANUU, has come up with two books - Learn Urdu and Khel Kahawat - to teach the language in a fast track mode. The books are developed in a scientific way keeping the ‘learned learners’ in view. They also serve as self-learning material should one want to learn on his or her own.
The whole thing is the result of Prof. Saeed’s tutoring of IAS and IPS probationers during the last four years. Some due to the compulsion of job and some driven by the love of ghazal s have been learning Urdu. The handouts given at the end of each lesson are now produced in book form with further improvement.
Prof. Saeed has adopted a non-formal pedagogy approach. Instead of teaching alphabets in the traditional way, he takes four to five letters along with linguistic mark and symbol. “This way, learners feel that from day one they are able to read and write,” he says.
Unique featureProf. Saeed, who was associated with the Central Institute of Indian Languages, Mysore, brings his knowledge of language teaching and application in his books. Another unique feature is the use of ash’aar (couplets) to improve communication skills.
The other book, Khel Kahawat , lists 29 proverbs with their meanings and usage for children aged between 10 and 14 years. “Proverbs are condensed wisdom of a language and help in learning,” Prof. Saeed remarks.
He takes time off to teach Urdu at MANUU study centre in Haj House, Nampally, on Sundays. He can be reached on phone 9849359660.
