PalukuBadi
(a)Toastmasters-type Spoken Telugu Club
(b)Completely online course using Zoom technology
(c)Members can join the virtual class from anywhere in the US and Canada
(d)Members need to have PC and internet connection
(e)Game-based Learning using games like tarjumata, onima, charcha, tirakatam etc.
(f)Incorporates Telugu General Knowledge
(g)Meetings on weekends in the evenings
(h)Clubs offered in 3 US time zones across 3 age groups
(i)Maximum 10-12 members per club
(j)Membership Fee is $50 per level
(k)Only existing or alumni ManaBadi students are eligible
Registrations Closed
Q: Why is PalukuBadi called a 'Club' and not a 'Course'?
A: PalukuBadi is an informal and casual meeting place where members can learn and practice their spoken Telugu skills. PalukuBadi does not have exams. Members are expected to continue in the club for several enrollments over multiple years. It is very IMPORTANT to understand that PalukuBadi is not a course that you can pass/graduate from.
Q: Is there a course syllabus and will kids be provided a course textbook?
A: There isn't a course syllabus for PalukuBadi but Club Masters will use a series of tip sheets to guide members to learn and improve their Telugu speaking skills. High-level scope and coverage is available on request to palukubadi@v1.manabadi.siliconandhra.org.
Q: What preparation is needed to participate in PalukuBadi?
A: Members requires to join on time and participate actively. They need to have a computer with good internet connection. Computer must have a camera and microphone. Using a headset is recommended. The member should participate in the meeting with a location that does not have external noise. Please AVOID participating in the class while your family is attending a birthday party of some other family event.
Q: Will there be exams during or at the end of the 13-week session?
A: There are no exams. But, self-assessment is encouraged.
Q: Will there be homework for my kid between meetings?
A: Since this is a club, there is no formal home work. However, some homework will be provided so that members can practice at home
Q: Is there any connection with/correlation between the regular ManaBadi classes and PalukuBadi?
A: There is no linkage between regular ManaBadi curriculum and PalukuBadi scope, except that both are focused on the goal of spreading the learning and usage of Telugu language among the next generations of Telugu children.
Q: How will joining PalukuBadi benefit my child if I already registered him/her into the ManaBadi classes currently?
A: Over the period of many years, a consistent feedback has been that their children are not able to speak in Telugu. Therefore, PalukuBadi is being made available to all those who are interested in spending more time to focus on their spoken Telugu skills.
Q: How will PalukuBadi motivate my child to speak in Telugu?
A: PalukuBadi offers an environment that is enjoyable and fun to focus entirely on spoken Telugu. The teaching methodology is based on games and activities. There are no text books or exams. However, it is very important for parents to create an environment that encourages spoken Telugu at home.
Q: Is there a difference in what kids learn or practice in the 'Pichukalu', 'Chilakalu' and 'Koyilalu' age groups?
A: There is no difference in scope and coverage of subject material between these three groups. The groups themselves are just groupings of members by age group.
Q: What is the difference between 'Saralam' and 'Jatilam' levels?
A: Saralam is focused on basic components of spoken Telugu such as translations, rhyming words, similar words with different meanings, phrases, Q&As, speaking w/o foreign words and pronunciation, speech clarity, just-a-minute speaking etc. Telugu transliteration is taught at this level. Jatilam is an advanced level program that focusses on members to speak fluently on multiple topics, and also participate in just-a-minute speaking, debate and elocution type of formats. There is also a focus of regional dialects of Telugu in Jatilam. Telugu typing is also taught in Jatilam.
Q: How do you make sure kids with same level of spoken Telugu skills are grouped together?
A: Basically, on Day #1, we test each member and determine their level of spoke Telugu skill into “Beginner Saralam”, “Regular Saralam” and “Advanced Saralam” levels, so that each club has members with similar skill level. Based on the re-grouping members may be moved around into different club timeslots. Please note that this is not a perfect solution.
Q: My kid speaks reasonably well. Can I directly register him/her into 'Jatilam' level when that level starts in February 2019?
A: The required path is that you enroll your child into ‘Saralam’ first and let them go to ‘Jatilam’ after that. We strongly suggest that members re-enroll into ‘Saralam’ at least a couple times before moving to ‘Jatilam’. Similarly, we suggest that members repeat Jatilam as many times as they feel is necessary.
Q: What will the parents’ involvement be, if any, as my kid attends the meetings in the club? Or what are the expectations from the parents?
A: Parents are expected to ensure their child has access to a working computer that has a camera and microphone. Besides the computer, members must in seated in a quiet part of the house to effectively participate in the meetings. Parents must, as a rule, avoid sitting alongside their children during the meeting. This is very important. The club master will interact with parents on an as needed basis which is typically during the first and last meetings.
Q: Will there be any course material available within the ManaBadi portal for Palukubadi?
A: There is no course material for PalukuBadi. It is an informal spoken Telugu club.
Q: Is there any expectations of attendance into the meetings of PalukuBadi club?
A: 100% attendance is expected from all members in a club.
Q: When will I know who my kid's teacher is for PalukuBadi?
A: There are no teachers in PalukuBadi. Each club is managed by a Club Master who is responsible to guide the members through interesting exercises to learn how to speak in Telugu. The Club Masters will create a comfortable environment for members to participate in the meetings.
Q: Who are the PalukuBadi Club Masters?
A: Many Club Masters are current ManaBadi teachers and in some cases motivated volunteers and past graduates of Manabadi who are skilled to managing the goals established for PalukuBadi.
Q: What is the cut-off date for birth dates for becoming eligible for registering into the 3 age-based groups of PalukuBadi?
A: January 1 of the year is the cut-off date. For example, a child born on August 15 of 2011 is counted as being 6 years old.
Q: If my kid doesn't want to continue PalukuBadi after I registered him/her into it, is there any option to withdraw or cancel from the club? Will there be a refund of the fee?
A: Members can seek a refund after meeting #1. Attendance in meeting #2 waives all rights for requesting a refund.
Q: Is there a sibling discount for PalukuBadi like in case of ManaBadi?
A: There are no sibling discounts and teacher discounts in PalukuBadi. This is because the fee itself is pretty small.
Q: Will there by classes during the Thanksgiving weekend and the Christmas/New Year weekends?
A: PalukuBadi will follow all US National holidays.
Q: How do I chose which club is best for my child?
A: Select the best time slot that works for you in your home timezone. Eg., if you are living in PST timezone, then select the one that matches your child's age group (eg., 6-7pm PST). If that time slot does not work for you, review if there are time slots in other time zones that may work for you (eg., 6-7pm CST which is 8-9pm PST).