Anil is both a teacher and a guide in Sanskrit. He certainly has the expertise you look for in Sanskrit. But a teacher who can share their knowledge in a simple and direct way is rarer. As a student, if you wish for a guide who can make your exploration into Sanskrit a joyful experience, Anil will be the teacher for you. He understands what the student needs to learn in the language and frankly it will not be a facile undertaking with him as your teacher. Anil’s teaching is disciplined and methodical: difficult subjects are mastered step by step, allowing success with application and resulting feelings of reward at the end. I am grateful that Anil has been my teacher these last three years and look forward to delving deeper into Sanskrit in the future. C (Sevenoaks)
This Sanskrit course has been an exceptional learning experience from the start. The online delivery has allowed me to enjoy this programme from the comfort of my own home. In addition to a well-chosen textbook, there are ample supplemental materials that bring the language to life, adding plenty of contextual knowledge as we learn. This is, however, so much more than a language course; South Asia’s long and varied history and archaeology are incorporated into the sessions. I’ve found the course to be very approachable considering I don’t have a strong background in languages. The lessons are dynamic, interesting and varied, making good use of multimedia resources. I thoroughly enjoy this modern take on an ancient language. T (Farnborough)
I started learning Sanskrit in 1996 but life intervened and my studies ground to a halt. Very happily, I discovered Anil on Zoom. I have been learning Sanskrit with Anil for two years. He has a great knowledge of the language and is very willing and able to pass this on. He has the patience of a saint, a vital quality when teaching a language like Sanskrit. Using Zoom works very well and is not a barrier to learning. The course has proceeded at a very sensible pace and the homework, set each week, is of reasonable proportions as well as being a vital part of the learning process. J (Aberdeen)
I have been a student of Dr Anil Biltoo for two years. Although for many years I harboured a desire to learn Sanskrit, the fear of tackling a language with such a formidable reputation was an obstacle. A particular constellation of circumstances led me to Anil’s class, and I consider myself extremely fortunate to have such a fantastic teacher. There are many who are passionate about their subject but are often unable to translate that into passionate teaching. Anil conveys his vast knowledge of Sanskrit and linguistics to his students with enthusiasm and generosity. He not only relies on available textbooks on Sanskrit, but because he can anticipate and is attuned to difficulties that students might encounter, he frequently produces documents tailor-made to fit the needs of his students. I particularly appreciate Anil’s holistic approach to language learning where students are immersed in the socio-political-historical-linguistic context of Sanskrit. Learning Sanskrit with Anil has been challenging and thrilling. M (Hove)
Anil has made learning Sanskrit an enjoyable and rewarding experience. As well as making the daunting aspects of Sanskrit grammar both intelligible and digestible through clear learning materials, he enhances the learning process by sharing his deep knowledge of the history and development of the language. He enriches the study of texts by bringing out layers of meaning that require a profound insight to the tradition which would not otherwise be apparent to the general reader. Anil also uses his broad knowledge of other Indo-European languages to bring Sanskrit’s relationship to these to life. After three years of study, it is satisfying to look at the progress we have made which is in main down to the quality of the teaching we have received. G (London)
When one decides, for whatever reason, to learn a new subject, the question of the teacher is perhaps one of the most important, for, to find one’s way into the class of a dedicated and experienced teacher is a supreme advantage. Anil Biltoo’s experience and skill in teaching is apparent in his clear, economical explanations, in the sureness of his guidance, in his ability to provide depth yet avoid complication. While demanding real input from his students, he manages to cultivate humour, fun, and that essential sense of mutual achievement that means so much. Though Sanskrit is complex - and its complexity becomes increasingly evident - the student receives constant indications on how to proceed: how to look for patterns, how to develop understanding of the language and culture, and how to make use of this knowledge for him/ herself. And is it not precisely that, that one came here to learn? C (Austria)
I have been studying Sanskrit on-line with Anil for two years. He is a wonderful teacher. He is very generous with his time and his truly amazing knowledge. Whilst he uses The Sanskrit Language by Maurer, Anil provides us with lots of additional material, to help us get to grips with the various conjugations and declensions we need to learn. He is very patient and good humoured, and his classes, whilst challenging, are surprisingly fun. He has actively encouraged us to form study groups, which meet between classes. This has enabled us to get to know each other and helped us to stay on track with our Sanskrit studies. J (Brighton)
