Frequently Asked Questions
When will the classes begin?
Classes start on Saturday, Jan 21st, 2023.
All classes will be virtual until further notice.
Current class timings are as follows:
Level 1 : Sundays at 4:00 pm
Level 2 : Sundays at 5:00 pm
Level 3 : Saturdays at 5:00 pm
Level 4 : Saturdays at 5:00 pm
Note: These timings are subject to change with advanced notice.
What is the weekly class schedule?
Classes will be on all Saturdays/Sundays, except long weekends and weekends when there is a GAMA event is scheduled. However, additional home works will be sent on these weekends to keep students engaged.
Are there different levels of classes?
We’ll have four levels – Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 & Level 4. Students will be assessed on their Malayalam language skills and allotted to the appropriate level. If we do not have enough kids in Level 3 and Level 4, then we will combine those two classes.
How much is the fee per kid?
For this year, the fee for GAMA member is $75 per kid for the whole year. Each additional kid from the same family will be charged $65/year. For Non GAMA Members the fee is $100 per kid for the whole year and each additional kid from the same family will be charged $90/year
Is this program only for GAMA members?
No, this year we are allowing both GAMA and Non-GAMA members to enroll their kids. If you are not already a member, please join GAMA here
Do the tutors have experience in teaching Malayalam?
All of our volunteer tutors have prior Malayalam teaching experience and are passionate about teaching our kids. We will be providing a copy of “Pravasi Shreshta Malayalam” by Prof Joy Pullattumattam, for each kid. While the book will form the basic structure of our daily learning sessions, the actual curriculum will be tailored for each class by the tutor depending on the kids’ language expertise, interests, and pace of learning.Our goal is to make this an interactive and interesting learning experience for our kids.
Will there be any homework for the kids after the class?
Yes, kids will be provided with homework at the end of each class. Homework will be in the form of worksheets, electronic media, and other home projects.
What is the main focus of the class – writing, Reading or Speaking Malayalam?
Our focus will be to develop Speaking, Reading and Writing skills in that order. We believe that the ability to converse in Malayalam will form a good foundation to build reading and writing skills. We’ll exclusively use Malayalam in the class and ask that the parents encourage the use of Malayalam at home. We expect the
parents to be partners in this effort by extending the learning experience to their homes. As a community organization with a history of more than 40 years, GAMA will try to ensure continuity of this program and will coordinate resources and volunteers successfully for this effort. At the end of the term, GAMA will provide a certificate of completion to recognize each kid. We also plan to coordinate a stage program for
the kids to perform at one of the GAMA events to showcase their Malayalam skills.
