Background: These children are mostly from a Bengali background but have no knowledge of Bengali language and can’t speak fluent Bengali. 

Knowledge of the language is essential to relate to one`s roots as well as communicate with near and dear ones back in the originating country (West Bengal, India /Bangladesh). It is also the means to access one`s heritage.

Achievement: Started with 6 students (age 5-12); initial emphasis was identification of the alphabets and then we proceeded to word building and making sentences.
Presently they are able to read level 3 (Sahaj Path Part I & II) Bengali books and write small passages.

After a year of effort, all the students can understand and express themselves in Bengali effectively. Their use of English words while trying to express themselves in Bengali is negligible.

In the process, these children have performed two Bengali skits and have excelled in recitations, songs as well as dances (from works of Rabindra Nath Tagore , Kaji Najrul Islam and Sukumar Roy.)

Future Aim: Consolidate on this foundation of Bengali language by gradual exposure in a graded manner to Bengali literature, films, drama, songs and dance-drama.

We aim to organize Bengali language workshops in the future. On behalf of Bengali Cultural Association we express our gratitude to Awards for All for their generosity.




Madhumita Das
Bengali Cultural Association
Peterborough