Georgian Language, Kartvelian Studies

  Georgia

Tbilisi

Description: ICGL was founded in July 1997. The course we use has been designed over twenty ears by the Director, Ms. Rusudan Amirejibi.

The overall organizational goals of ICGL are to promote language education, particularly that of the Georgian Language. We are active in trying to improve the standards of Georgian Language instruction for ethnic minorities in Georgia including Azeris, Russians, Armenians, and Abkhaz as well as trying to improve the standards of teaching in schools to Georgian children. In addition to this, we are very active in preparing for the return of the Meskhetian Turks and in working with non-Georgian speakers abroad.

Georgian is a non Indo-European language and is by far the largest language in the Iberian-Caucasian family. It is not related to its neighboring languages of Russian, Turkish, Azeri, and Armenian. Still using its own alphabet, one of the oldest in the world, it is currently spoken by approximately six million people. Georgian language is extremely important to the Georgian people. A complex but rich language it is very worthy of study. We offer the most comprehensive and systematic curriculum and the most qualified and dedicated instructors. Whether you are an armchair traveler, a potential tourist, a conscientious expatriate business executive, or a dedicated kartvelologist, we can offer a tailor made program to fit your interests.

Our goal is, for those that sign up for the course, 1) to bring speaking, reading, and listening proficiency as quickly as possible, 2) to provide students with knowledge of the structure of the language studied and necessary building blocks for future study, 3) to provide an understanding of the cultural traits of Georgian communication.

Our methods are based on more than twenty years of practical experience and applied research. Our teachers are all highly educated linguists and experienced university level professors who are fluent in English. In addition to their excellent qualifications and practical experience they are specifically trained in our methods for our program. Friendly and helpful, our instructors give students every encouragement to communicate in the languages we teach, Georgian and Russian. The staff of ICGL meets often to assess our programs and methods and refine them, using reflective practice, action research and application of functioning principles. As mentioned before, we are actively expanding our schedule of languages for instruction.

Beginner Course - Our Beginner's Course is composed of twenty-five, carefully scripted lessons with graduated levels of grammar, vocabulary, functions and fluency. Our programmed lessons build upon each preceding lesson in a logical sequence that gives the learner that continuity that is so necessary to comprehend the content and purpose of each lesson; you will know what you are studying and why, you will use what you know and improve. How quickly a student progresses through the Beginner's Course depends on the student's willingness to study and apply the principles and content of our program. Study is always crucial to learning any language and here in Georgia we have the best possible environment for your language study. By the end of the Beginner's Course, ICGL studen's know the entire alphabet, read simple texts, and are able to conduct basic conversations with native speakers on common topics such as weather, relationships, family, age, work, buying and selling.

Intermediate Course - Intermediate level study is conducted manly in Georgian (or Russian). Focus will be in spoken conveyance of more complex ideal, ability to read at a newspaper level and more subtle comprehension. At the end of the intermediate course, students will be able to hold or understand a conversation and to read and write simple texts at a newspaper level.

Advanced course - Advanced level of study gives the ability to carry on the conversation on a large variety of topics in proper Georgian (or Russian).

Tailor-maid programs - Upon your request we will design a program specially to meet your specific requirements, including but not limited to crash courses.

Evaluation - We offer examinations in order to move from the beginning to the intermediate level and from the intermediate to the advanced level. The examination will include speaking, writing, reading, translating and listening comprehension according to the materials covered.

After the examinations, students will receive a report and a certificate, which states the course they have attended and the level attained.

Highlights: ICGL has published 'Basic Georgian' by Nana Danelia. The book is designed to be used either in the classroom or for self instruction. It can be used also as a workbook, with space for practicing / writing right in the book. The book also has an appendix which is organized thematically, beginning with 'survival' topics for students. The verb list is arranged by the topics in which verbs can be found.

ICGL in cooperation with Transparency International Georgia received a grant from European Commission representation in Georgia for a micro project "Civic Forum for Ethnic Azeris in Kvemo Kartli". The aim of the project is to facilitate social and political integration of the Azeri population, which includes developing Georgian language skills among them. For this ICGL is developing Georgian language acquisition program based upon civic education. This program will be published and may be used in other civic programs.

ICGL has received a grant from Swiss Embassy for putting together a handbook of Megrelian, which will contain an academic overview of the language and practical part for mastering conversational language.

Cost in US$: 10-15$ per hour

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Georgia Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Phone Interview
• Written Application

International Center for Georgian Language's Mission Statement: We offer tailor made courses in Georgian, Russian and Caucasian languages for scholars and students.We can make all travel and accommodation arrangements and set a class schedule that suits your needs.We also arrange meetings with Georgian linguists, access to private and public libraries, fieldwork or any other academic needs you may have.Trips to all parts of Georgia are possible including the Black Sea coast and hard to reach areas like Kevsureti and Svaneti.Our method for this difficult language group is tried and true with many of academic and diplomatic references.

Year Founded: 1997