Hindi and Urdu intensive course 
For beginners and advanced student

Contacts

Three-week intensive course in spoken and written Hindi and Urdu

Beginners

This course offers joint classes aimed at providing basic knowledge of both the Hindi and the Urdu writing systems, combined with an intensive drill in improving oral communication skills in Hindi-Urdu as a single spoken language.

Advanced

On the basis of their previous knowledge of either or both languages, participants will consolidate and expand their knowledge of written Hindi and Urdu and hone their communication skills in both languages. At the same time, for those students advanced in only one of the two languages, opportunity will be given to get acquainted with either the devnagari (Hindi) and/or the nastaliq (Urdu) script at beginners’ level. 

Accompanying programme

  • Film screening, South Asian music and cooking programme
  • Local excursions to Venice and surroundings
  • Exchange with Pakistani and Indian lecturers and doctoral students

Teachers

Teachers of the Hindi-Urdu Intensive Course - for beginners and advanced students:

  • Thomas Dähnhardt (Department of Asian and North African Studies, Ca' Foscari University of Venice)
  • Andrea Drocco (Department of Asian and North African Studies, Ca' Foscari University of Venice)
  • Arian Hopf (Südasien Institut, Universität Heidelberg): teacher for beginners and advanced Urdu 
  • Justyna Kurowska (Philosophische Fakultät, University of Würzburg)
  • Shyama Medhekar (Hindi mother tongue, Department of Asian and North African Studies, Ca' Foscari University of Venice)
  • Shaheera Naeem (Urdu mother tongue, PhD candidate, Ca' Foscari University of Venice)

Course Fee

  • 400 €
  • 250 € for Ca’ Foscari students

Application and payment deadline

June 30, 2026

Applications for both courses of the Summer School must be submitted online.

All payments must be made via PagoPA by the deadline.
Participants will receive a payment link by which they can make the payment. All further instructions will be sent via email.

Last update: 11/02/2026