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TRIKĀYA
TIBETAN LANGUAGE ACADEMY 

Tibetan Language
Courses & Tuition

​Invest in Your Tibetan Language Journey 
with Personalized One-on-One Expert Instruction

All courses are fully customized for your personal goals.
 

Whether you're learning Classical Tibetan for Buddhist study, Colloquial Tibetan for travel and conversation, or developing professional translation or interpretation skills, you can make significant progress in your studies with specialized courses from the Trikāya Tibetan Language Academy.

Choose Your Course Package.


All course packages include personalized one-on-one instruction from Erick Tsiknopoulos, an active translator, interpreter and scholar with over 17 years of professional Tibetan-English translation and interpretation experience and 11 years of immersive study in the Tibetan communities of India and Nepal.

All Course Packages can be applied to any of the following subjects of study: 

1) Classical Tibetan (Textual, Traditional)
2) Colloquial Tibetan (Spoken, Conversational)
3) Modern Literary Tibetan (20th-21st century Literature & Media)
4) Buddhist Texts in Tibetan (Religious, Philosophical Focus)

The above subjects can also be studied in combination or alternation.
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Package:
Trial Lesson

Hours: 1 hour
Tuition: USD $50
Per Hour: $50/hr

Best For: Single consultation or topic review.

Package:
Introductory Module

Hours: 10 hours
Tuition: USD $450

Per Hour: $45/hr
Best For: Introductory sessions or short study program. Sufficient to learn Tibetan script, cover the building blocks of Tibetan grammar, read through a short Tibetan text, or cover a few chapters in a textbook.

Package:
Foundational Module

⭐Recommended Minimum

Hours: 20 hours
Tuition: USD $880

Per Hour: $44/hr
Best For: Allowing enough time to complete a full introductory grammar overview, build vocabulary, or improve reading skills. Recommended minimum package for steady progress.

Package:
Basic Program Module

⭐Most Popular

Hours: 30 hours
Tuition: USD $1290

Per Hour: $43/hr
Best For: Providing the ideal foundation for reading/speaking. The most effective starting commitment for achieving consistent reading or speaking ability, acquiring a broader comprehension, and developing overall language skills. Most popular package among new and returning students.

Package:
Core Proficiency Module

Hours: 40 hours
Tuition: USD $1,680

Per Hour: $42/hr
Best For: Attaining core mastery by building confidence in your chosen subject. Provides the necessary hours to move from foundational language skills to deeper understanding all course types.

Package:
Higher Proficiency Module

Hours: 50 hours
Tuition: USD $2,050

Per Hour: $41/hr
Best For: Reaching higher mastery through advanced reading, conversation or listening practice. Sufficient time to improve reading proficiency or achieve conversational comfort.

Package:
Advanced Proficiency Module

⭐Best Value

Hours: 60 hours
Tuition: USD $2,400

Per Hour: $40/hr
Best For: Approaching advanced mastery through focused and intensive study. Excellent for dedicated language students aiming for independent reading, spoken fluency, linguistic analysis and overall confidence. Best value for long-term, in-depth study.

What's Included in Every Course Package

✅ Fully Customized Curriculum
Tailored to your specific goals and learning pace

✅ Professional Instruction
Learn from a working translator with 17+ years of experience

✅ Flexible Scheduling
Classes arranged according to your availability

✅ Online Convenience
Study from anywhere via Zoom, Google Meet, or WhatsApp

✅ Course Materials
Recommended textbooks and resources provided

✅ All Course Types Available
Classical, Colloquial, Modern Literary, or Buddhist Texts

Course Types Available

All packages can be applied to any of these subjects of study, each focused on a different aspect of Tibetan language and literature:

Special Training Tracks

In addition to the four main course types above, we offer specialized training modules that can be incorporated into any package:
 

Colloquial Tibetan Conversation Training
Intensive speaking and listening practice + vocabulary deep-dive
 

Buddhist Philosophy in Tibetan
Philosophical texts and doctrinal analysis + special Buddhist terms deep-dive
 

Reading Sūtras in Tibetan
Mahāyāna scriptural study and extensive textual readings + guided commentary
 

Chanting Texts in Tibetan
Pronunciation and intonation for liturgical recitation + reading Vajrayāna practice texts

How It Works

1. Choose Your Package

Select the hour package that matches your commitment level and learning goals.
 

2. Contact Us

Email us at trikayatranslations@gmail.com with your chosen package and preferred course focus. We'll discuss your goals, schedule, and next steps.
 

3. Make Payment

Full payment is required before scheduling your first session. We accept PayPal, Wise, and bank transfer.
 

4. Begin Your Studies

After payment confirmation, we'll schedule your first session and begin your customized Tibetan language journey.

Professional Translation Training

Develop Professional-Level Translation Skills
with Personalized Mentorship from a Seasoned Translator

For dedicated students seeking to transition from language learning to professional translation or interpretation work (textual or oral), we offer comprehensive Tibetan-English Translation Training Programs combining extensive theoretical instruction, supervised translation projects, and portfolio development. These courses are tailored to the individual student's professional goals and particular interests in translation/interpretation.

All aspects of the translation process are covered in these courses, with in-depth explanations of word choice, grammatical adaptation, doctrinal context, advanced Buddhist terminology, linguistic nuance, written composition, and best professional practices for practical Tibetan-English translation methodology. 

Translation Training Programs

Program: Foundation in Tibetan-English Translation Techniques
Hours: 50 hours
Tuition: $2,500
Per Hour: $50/hr
What's Included: Tibetan-English translation fundamentals + 2-3 supervised translation projects

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Program: Professional Tibetan-English Translation Training
Hours: 100 hours
Tuition: $4,500
Per Hour: $45/hr
What's Included: Advanced translation training curriculum + translation portfolio development

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Program: Advanced Tibetan-English Translation Specialization
Hours: 150 hours
Tuition: $6,000
Per Hour: $40/hr
What's Included: Best Value. Comprehensive translation training + publication prep
 

Prerequisites:
Intermediate-to-advanced Tibetan proficiency, i.e. B2+ level in Classical Tibetan and/or Modern Literary Tibetan. Prospective students should ideally have already completed at least one year of serious prior study and/or attained basic reading proficiency in Classical Tibetan.

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Program Structure:

  • Translation theory and methodology

  • Supervised translation of authentic Buddhist texts

  • Detailed feedback and revision guidance

  • Professional terminology development

  • Portfolio building for publication or professional work
     

For more information, contact us.

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Scheduling
& Class Format

Optimal Schedule for New Students
 

—Beginner-Lower Intermediate Students: 2-3 sessions/week (2 to 6 hours/week)
—Upper Intermediate-Advanced Students: 3-4 sessions/week (3 to 8 hours/week)
—Intensive Study (For Students of All Levels): 5-6 sessions/week (5 to 12 hours/week)

Session Length
Available in sessions of 1-hour/60 minutes, 1.5 hours/90 minutes, or 2-hour/120 minutes (price charged per hour).

Frequency
We recommend a minimum of 2 sessions per week (2-4 hours/week) for effective learning. Students may choose to up to 6 sessions/week.


Class Format
All sessions conducted online via video conference (Zoom, Google Meet, or WhatsApp).

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Time Zones
Instruction is usually delivered from Bucharest, Romania (EET/UTC+2-3). We work with students worldwide to find the convenient scheduling for all global time zones.


Flexibility
Classes are scheduled according to your availability and the teacher's work commitments.

PAYMENT INFORMATION
Payment Methods: How to Pay for the Courses
 

We accept secure payment via:

  • Wise (preferred method, low cost)

  • Paypal

  • Direct bank transfer
     

Contact us for payment details at: trikayatranslations@gmail.com

Payment Policy

  • Full payment required before first session

  • Non-refundable after first session begins

  • Must cover all transfer fees

  • Payment in USD only
     

PayPal Instructions

To avoid Paypal transfer fees:

  1. Select "Sending to a friend" or "Friends and Family" option

  2. If not available, add 5% of the total amount to cover transfer fees

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Important information about our Tibetan language courses.

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How long will it take to complete my course package?
Completion time depends on your weekly class schedule. With 2 to 4 one-hour sessions per week:
 

10-hour package: 3–5 weeks (0.6–1.2 months)
20-hour package: 5–10 weeks (1.2–2.3 months)
30-hour package: 8–15 weeks (1.7–3.5 months)
40-hour package: 10–20 weeks (2.3–4.7 months)
50-hour package: 13–25 weeks (2.9–5.8 months)
60-hour package: 15–30 weeks (3.5–7 months)
 

Can I switch between course types during my package?
Yes! Your package hours are flexible. You can combine Classical Tibetan study with Colloquial practice, or switch focus as your goals evolve.

What happens if I need to reschedule a session?
Please provide 24-hour notice for rescheduling or cancellation. Sessions cancelled with less than 24 hours notice may be forfeited.

Can I pause my course and resume later?
Life happens! You can pause your course at any time. We recommend resuming within 3 months to maintain momentum, but contact us if you need a longer break—we're happy to work with you.

Do my hours expire?
Purchased hours must be used within 12 months of payment date. This ensures course continuity and learning effectiveness.

What materials do I need?
We'll recommend specific textbooks and resources based on your course type. Most materials are available as PDFs or can be purchased online. A notebook for practice is recommended.

Is there a refund policy?
Full payment is non-refundable once your first session begins. If you need to cancel before starting, contact us to discuss options.

What level of Tibetan do I need to start?
Complete beginners are welcome! We customize instruction to your current level, whether you're learning the script for the first time or already have intermediate proficiency.


Ready to Start?
Contact us today to enroll in your chosen package.
 

Email: trikayatranslations@gmail.com
 

Questions?
We're happy to discuss which package and course type best fits your goals. Feel free to reach out to discuss options.


Learn More About Our Academy →
Read Student Testimonials →

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