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  • Beginners’ Tamil: a taster course
Free course

Beginners’ Tamil: a taster course

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Course description

Course content

Course reviews

This free course, Beginners’ Tamil: a taster course, provides a brief introduction to the Tamil language and its scripts and sounds. You will learn how to greet people and introduce yourself, as well as how to count from one to ten. You will also be introduced to Tamil society and culture and will learn about the food and music popular in Tamil-speaking societies.

This introductory course offers you a chance to start an exciting new learning experience and learn a new language, with a range of activities.  

Watch the video below to get a taste of the course. 

Transcript

Course learning outcomes

After studying this course, you should be able to:

  • demonstrate an awareness of the Tamil alphabet and sound, and a basic understanding of the Tamil language
  • count up to 10 in Tamil
  • name some of the traditional musical instruments used by Tamils
  • name some of the fruits grown in Tamil Nadu
  • greet a person in Tamil, and say simple phrases related to numbers, musical instruments and fruits with confidence.
Enter course

First Published: 12/07/2021

Updated: 12/07/2021

You can start this course right now without signing-up. Click on any of the course content sections below to start at any point in this course.
If you want to be able to track your progress, earn a free Statement of Participation, and access all course quizzes and activities, sign-up.

Course content

  • Introduction
  • Learning outcomes
  • 1The Tamil language
    • 1 The Tamil language
  • 2Tamil script
    • 2 Tamil script
    • 2.1 The sound of Tamil
  • 3Tamil greetings
    • 3 Tamil greetings
  • 4Tamil names and introductions
    • 4 Tamil names and introductions
  • 5Numbers
    • 5 Numbers
    • 5.1 Using numbers
  • 6Food and drink
    • 6 Food and drink
    • 6.1 Fruits
  • 7Music
    • 7 Music
    • 7.1 Examples of Tamil music
  • Conclusion
  • References
  • Acknowledgements
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1 2 3 4 5
Average rating 4.3 out of 5, based on 6 ratings.

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Course reviews

  • Gwenan Richards
    Gwenan Richards 11 August 2025 1:46AM
    1 2 3 4 5
    Rating entered.
    Some interesting points about Tamil culture, but as an introductory course to a language, this was hugely disappointing.. I would suggest reading through the cultural notes, but finding a language course elsewhere (I am both a linguist and language teacher)...
    Flag As Offensive
  • Imoni Umughele
    Imoni Umughele 14 February 2025 8:28PM
    1 2 3 4 5
    Rating entered.
    Very engaging and educational ☺️
    Flag As Offensive
More reviews Total 4 reviews

Your course resources

As you work through this course you will need various resources to help you complete some of the activities.

  • Compound characters_1 File
    Download Resource
  • act3_yes_im_fine_thank_you File
  • act3_i_have_to_leave_now_goodbye File
  • act5_1_numbers File
  • tam_1_act_5_my_house_number_3 File
  • act_6_coffee_murukku File
  • act4_introducing_yourself File
  • act3_are_you_well File
  • act_4_hello_my_name_is File
  • Trailer transcript File
    Download Resource
  • thumbnail image File

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Copyright information

creative commons licence type by-nc Creative commons: The Open University is proud to release this free course under a Creative Commons licence.

However, any third-party materials featured within it are used with permission and are not ours to give away. These materials are not subject to the Creative Commons licence. See terms and conditions377  and our FAQs378.

Full copyright details can be found in the Acknowledgements section of each week.

For further information, take a look at our frequently asked questions which may give you the support you need.

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About this free course

About this free course

4 hours study

Level 1: Introductory

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4.3 out of 5 stars

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