London: City of Languages was delighted to host a vibrant Tamil Taster Session, led by Prabhu Rajendran and Mr Gnanamurugan, whose thoughtful and engaging approach captured the spirit of LCoL: connection, curiosity, and celebration.
Over the course of a carefully structured 40 minutes, participants were introduced to the sounds, rhythm, and beauty of Tamil. Clear visuals, gentle scaffolding, and an early invitation to speak helped everyone feel confident. Starting with Vanakkam (Va–nak–kam), learners built up simple greetings and even experimented with expressing likes and dislikes — a first step into real communication.
One of the most memorable moments was seeing the genuine smiles from Tamil speakers in the room as attendees tried out the language. It was a powerful reminder of how language learning builds bridges and strengthens community.
Participants also gained insights into Tamil’s long history — a classical language spoken by around 70 million people worldwide — and explored how its script has evolved from being written on stone, to palm leaves and now to digital forms. A colourful slide on Tamil foods added an extra cultural flavour.
A short review and listening activity rounded off the session, giving everyone the satisfaction of matching firstly phonetically transcribed phrases and then phrases without text support to meaning. Hearing Tamil spoken naturally at the end highlighted its musicality and distinctive intonation.
This session was more than a lesson: it was an invitation from a community proud of its heritage and eager to share it. With strong Tamil communities in East Ham, Wembley, and Harrow, there is much more to explore.
This Tamil Taster Session, led by Prabhu Rajendran and Mr Gnanamurugan (teacher and Tamil scholar), was an inspiring reminder of what London: City of Languages is all about — connection, curiosity, and the celebration of the languages that shape our city.
From the very first moment, it was clear that this session had been carefully and intelligently designed. A comfortable 40‑minute sequence allowed space for interaction, questions, and genuine engagement, without ever feeling rushed or overloaded.
A thoughtful, accessible introduction to Tamil
We began with a simple question: Who has heard Tamil spoken? This immediately opened the room and set the tone for an inclusive, exploratory session.
Clear visuals helped us match sounds to familiar letters, giving us the sense that we were making real progress. As Mr Gnanmurugan explained – to my delight – breaking Tamil into syllables is an essential first step, especially as the language naturally “merges” sounds. This approach made the learning feel musical, logical, and wonderfully accessible.
We started with greetings:
Vanakkam Va – nak – kam …accompanied by the traditional polite gesture. Each new step linked neatly to the last, building confidence and rhythm:
Good morning
Good evening
Very early on, everyone was invited to try speaking to each other – a simple but essential step in my view to helping to remember language through interaction – not just repetition.
Smiles, connection, and the joy of being heard
One of the most heart‑warming parts of the session was seeing the genuine smiles on the faces of Tamil speakers in the room as they heard us attempt their language. It was a moment of connection that captured the spirit of LCoL: opening doors, breaking down barriers, and celebrating the languages that make London vibrant.
The lesson demonstrated beautifully how, with thoughtful sequencing, learners can communicate meaningfully even at a very early stage. By learning the structure of phrases like I like coffee / I don’t like coffee, we could quickly substitute names or English words to get a feel for Tamil’s rhythm. [I – coffee – like = Yennakku coffee pidi-kum]
A language with deep roots
The linguistic insights woven throughout the session were fascinating. Tamil is a classical language spoken by around 70 million people worldwide, with a history stretching back over 2,000 years.
A great question from a participant led to a consideration about how the script has evolved depending on the medium — from stone being chipped, to palm leaves being written on, to digital code. A feature of Tamil is that the script Is not ‘fixed’ – it has moved with the times.
A slide on recommended Tamil foods added a delightful cultural and colourful touch.
Review, listening, and natural speech
A short review activity helped us match phonetically written Tamil to English translations, and Mr Gnanmurugan made sure that we were also tested on our listening comprehension when he said a phrase and we selected the translation from a multichoice. It was so satisfying to have proof of palpable progress in 40 minutes!
At Vicky’s request, our presenters also spoke naturally so we could hear the intonation and musicality of Tamil. Even without understanding every word, the shape and flow of a language can become recognisable – a reminder that listening is often the first step in language learning.
More than a lesson: a community invitation
What I took away from this session went far beyond vocabulary. I felt deep admiration for a community that not only preserves its linguistic heritage but actively invites others to appreciate its beauty. This is pride in the very best sense – generous, open, and welcoming.
The Tamil community is particularly vibrant in East Ham, Wembley, and Harrow, and this session felt like an invitation to explore further.
Looking ahead: more opportunities to discover languages
This Tamil Taster is just the beginning of LCoL’s commitment to offering opportunities to discover the languages spoken across London.
We often talk about the importance of mainstream teachers recognising that pupils bring a background of heritage languages spoken and used in their family. What better way to take a practical step than through sessions like this — where teachers can immerse themselves, try things out, and experience the joy of learning directly from community experts.
We are already planning more tasters, including sessions at times that work for teachers. We’re also exploring the idea of recorded introductions created by community groups to host on our YouTube platform.
Join us
Please come along and join in. Be part of this celebration of London’s linguistic richness. There is so much more to discover.
Prabhu Rajendran (‘Panchumittai’ Prabhu) Author, Storyteller, and Founder of Oongil Kootam & Panchumittai
“I believe in ‘reading for pleasure’ because that is where real learning happens. When children read for pleasure, stories fly across language borders; they experience the taste and aroma of multilingual narratives, making culture more reachable than ever.” — Prabhu Rajendran
Prabhu Rajendran is a London-based Tamil children’s author, critic, and independent publisher with over a decade of experience in cultural mediation. Through his dual platforms—Panchumittai (Cotton Candy) and Oongil Kootam (Pod of Dolphins)—he acts as a “two-way bridge,” bringing UK-based stories to Tamil audiences and sharing contemporary Tamil literature with the UK diaspora.
Prabhu is a proud supporter of the London City of Languages (LCoL) initiative, contributing to its mission to celebrate and preserve the city’s rich multilingual heritage.
To read more about his role, inititiatives, literature and leadership, please open this document:
