Urdu is spoken by approximately 230 million people worldwide, making it the tenth most spoken language on the globe. It is the national language of Pakistan and one of the twenty-two constitutionally recognized languages of India, where it is also an official language in states including Jammu & Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Telangana. Urdu also thrives in diasporic and minority communities in the UAE, South Africa, Nepal, Bangladesh, the UK, Canada, Australia, the US, and beyond.
When spoken, Urdu and Hindi are largely mutually intelligible, giving learners access to one of the richest cultural and linguistic spheres in the world - more than 800 million speakers who share films, music, and conversation.
Written in the elegant Perso-Arabic script, Urdu offers not only a linguistic journey
Urdu poetry is celebrated for its eloquence and musicality, embracing genres such as the ghazal, nazm, and marsiya. These traditions weave together love, longing, spirituality, and resistance, offering students both artistic beauty and deep insights into the cultural and intellectual life of South Asia.
The Urdu Program
Our Urdu program offers four levels of language study (First Year, Second Year, and a combined Third & Fourth Year course).
- First & Second Year: Build your foundation in speaking, listening, reading, and writing through interactive, communicative activities.
- Third & Fourth Year: Explore history, culture, and literature — from classic poetry to modern short stories — while strengthening advanced skills.
We also offer special courses on Urdu literary culture and history, where you might encounter rebel poets, progressive writers, feminist voices, scientific writing in Urdu, and the magic of South Asian storytelling. In 2025, these include advanced courses on the history of Urdu journalism and media, Sufism from the margins of Urdu literature, and Urdu critical approaches to Persian poetry.
Program Snapshot
- Levels: Elementary (Year 1), Intermediate (Year 2), Advanced Readings (Years 3–4)
- Schedule: 3 hours/week; communicative, task-based classes
- Focus: four skills; authentic media; literature & culture integration
Learning Outcomes
- Year 1: Read short texts in Perso-Arabic script; handle everyday conversations.
- Year 2: Follow news/media; discuss short stories and essays.
- Years 3–4: Analyze ghazals, nazms, fiction, memoirs, and historical texts; produce advanced oral and written work and develop skills in translation. Course topics and themes change quarterly. Students may repeat for credit.
Opportunities Beyond the Classroom
Urdu opens doors worldwide! Our students have successfully earned:
- Critical Language Scholarships (CLS)
- Boren and NSEP Fellowships
- Summer and year-long Urdu immersion programs in India, including those offered by the American Institute of Indian Studies (AIIS)
Community & Events
- Urdu Baithak: Informal meet-ups for mini-talks, films, and conversations with guest speakers.
- South Asia Institute, Chicago: https://www.saichicago.org/
Resources
Start your journey with:
- Nastaliq script guide: https://franpritchett.com/00urdu/urduscript/index.html
- Online dictionaries: https://www.rekhta.org/urdudictionary
- Urdu grammar references:
Graded readers for beginners and intermediates:
https://www.rekhta.org/ebooks/readings-in-literary-urdu-prose-gopi-chand-narang-ebooks
https://www.rekhta.org/ebooks/panchtantra-ki-kahaniyan-part-001-shiv-kumar-ebooks
- Urdu news, podcasts, and films for immersive practice
https://www.youtube.com/@bbcurdu
FAQ
- Placement: If you already know some Urdu, you can reach out to Romeena Kureishy to take an informal Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and a Writing Proficiency Test (WPT). Graduate students can also take it to find the right level.
- Class Times: First- and second-year Urdu classes are scheduled flexibly to avoid conflicts. Advanced classes (Years 3 & 4) are usually arranged based on the group’s availability.
- Auditing: To keep classes interactive and engaging, SALC does not allow auditors in language courses.
Meet Your Instructors
Romeena Kureishy teaches 1st and 2nd year Urdu with a focus on communication, culture, and creativity.
Gregory Maxwell Bruce teaches 3rd & 4th year and advanced readings courses that set Urdu Studies in conversation with broader themes in South Asian history, Islamic Studies, and literary studies.
Amanda Lanzillo teaches 3rd & 4th year and advanced readings in Urdu focused on historical textual analysis, including Urdu periodicals, media, and print culture.
Curious?
If you’re thinking about joining reach out to the instructors to learn more about the program.
Most updated class times, dates, and locations are always available here: Class Search