How To Learn Bengali From English in just 10 simple steps

Learn Bengali Language

 

Learn Bengali language from English speaker may seem bit difficult at first. Most english speakers are confused about where to begin learning Bengal. In beginning everything seems difficult and overwhleming, the script, grammar, and pronunciations. The Bengali alphabet and the pronunciation of words can be entirely different from English. Finding right resources and best online cources is another huge challenge making learning difficult. But don’t worry! In this blog, we are going to assist you with 10 easy steps to learn Bengali fron english and becoming fluent in Bengali.

10 Step  Guide to  Learn Bengali from English Easily

Step 1:Establishing Bright, Clear Goals

Define your purpose. 

  • Do you want to travel to Bengali speaking regions? 
  • Do you have a Bengali heritage? 
  • Is this related to your job or career development? 
  • Are you simply curious about learning Bengali? 
  • Does your boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse speak Bengali?

Now that you have defined your purpose, the next step is to work towards achieving these goals. 

The next recommended step is to break down the journey with achievable milestones in your journye to learn Bengali from English. 

Such as:

Month 1. Learn the Bengali alphabet and basic vocabulary

Month 2. Begin to form simple sentences and practice pronunciation.

Month 3: Practice simple dialogues and watch Bengali films, shows, or the news.

Step 2: Learn the Bengali Alphabets

Become familiar with the bengali alphabets. Bengali uses its own script.  Initially, you may find it confusing so here is a short introduction to it:

Vowels: Bengali has 11 vowel characters

Consonants: Bengali contains 39 consonants. From them various types of sounds can be developed.

Mastering the script as well as the vocabulary is very important for effective communication.

Here is a table of Bengali vowels and its pronounciation

Vowel

Bengali Script

Pronunciation

a

অ

/a/

i

ই

/i/

u

উ

/u/

e

এ

/e/

o

ও

/o/

ৠ

ঋ

/ri/

ৡ

ৠি

/ri:/

ৢ

ৠু

/ru/

ৣ

ৠে

/re/

৤

ৠো

/ro/

 

The right vocabulary is very important to express well in Bengali. Begin with memorizing some basic words and phrases pertinent to everyday lives, such as greetings, numbers, family members, or simple verbs. 

One can make use of flashcards, vocabulary lists, and even some applications on a mobile device to fortify their learning process.

Step 3 : Practice Pronunciation with Basic Bengali Words in Englis

Bengali pronunciation is highly important for effective communication. Here are the do’s:

  • Listen: Listen to native bengali speakers through language learning apps for YouTube channels.
  • Repeat: Try to say the words repeatedly yourself, paying attention to the intonation and pronunciation.
  • Record Yourself: Listening to yourself could give you an idea of what to work on.

Step 4: Understand Bangali Grammar and Sentence Formation

Bangla grammar seems complex for english speakers, but the good news is it is systematic and easier if you use a structured learning approach and have access to the right resources, but at the same time, it provides a full structure which satisfies clarity. 

This comprehension of verbs conjugation, tenses, and sentence structures involves altering the wording to express meaning more effectively. We will consider these elements in detail to ensure that you can also convey meaning with them.

Tenses in Bangla language

Bangla has three major tenses: Present, Past, and Future.

Each tense has some special conjugation rules.

  • Present Tense- The present tense refers to an action going on in the present or a habitual action. The verb typically takes the form of adding the suffix “-i” at the end for first-person singular subjects.

Example:আমি খাব (Ami khab) – I eat.

  • Past Tense- The past tense refers to completed actions already gone by. The verb carries the suffix “-l” for first person in this case.

Example: আমি খাইলাম (Ami khailam) – I ate.

  • Future Tense- The future tense describes action that will take place. The verb may end in “-ব” (-bo) for the first-person singular.

Example: আমি খাব (Ami khab) – I will eat.

Sentence Forms in Bengali Language 

Subject

Verb

Object

The doer of something.

The doing of something.

The recipient of something.

 

The typical sentence form of Bangla is Subject-Verb-Object, or SVO. 

But remember; words are not always in this order. 

Example Sentences

  • Simple Sentence:

আমি পানি খাই (Ami pani khai) – I drink water .

Here, “আমি” (Ami) is subject, “খাই” (khai) is verb and “পানি” (pani) is object.

  • Complex Sentence:

আমি যখন বাড়িতে থাকি, তখন পড়ি (Ami jokhon barite thaki, tokhon pori) – I read when I am at home .

This sentence shows a conditional structure with two clauses.

Step 5 :Practice Listening and Speaking: Unlocking Fluency in Bengali 

Now that you have developed a good base of Bengali, you should get into practice to refine the listening and speaking. Immerse yourself into the language of your choice through different forms of media, and hold conversations with native speakers as much as possible. 

Listen to Bengali Music 

  • Bengali Movies for English Speakers: 

Try watching popular Bengali films on Hoichoi-which is our version of Netflix or available on Amazon Prime. Do this to read through subtitles, improve pronunciation, and get cultural context.

Recommended films: “Pather Panchali,” “Charulata,” “Bulbbul,” “Pagglait.“

  • Bengali Music to Leran Bangla: 

Try listening to Bengali songs on Gaana, JioSaavn, or even YouTube Music. Read the lyrics and try singing along.

Recommended Bengali singers: Rabindra Sangeet, Arijit Singh, Lata Mangeshkar

  • Benagli Podcasts to Learn Bangla:

Listen to Bengali podcasts for beginners, which can be followed by language learners on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Google Podcasts.

Recommended: “Bengali Podcast”, “Learn Bengali”, “Bangla Talk”

Practice Conversations to Learn Bengali Speaking

Speaking practice is the key to fluency. For this we recommend-

  • Language Exchange:  Find a language exchange partner on Tandem, HelloTalk, Conversation Exchange.
  • Take OnlineClasses: Opt for our Bengali course with a native Bangla-speaking certified teacher. 

Practice Self-Talk 

Talk to yourself in Bengali about your day, what you are seeing or describing, or telling a simple story.

4 Benagli Speaking Practice Tips for English Speakers

  1. Record yourself and listen for ways to improve pronunciation.
  2. Grammar usage and sentence structure.
  3. Flashcards for unknown vocabulary.
  4. Practice role-play conversations.

Step 6: Read and Write in Bengali

Reading and writing form the foundation of learning Bengali from English. We will guide you step by step through simple texts, writing practice, and online resources that can help you acquire the ability to read and write Bengali fluently.

Start with materials that interest you and are easy to understand:

  • Children’s Books: “আমার বড় ছোট বন্ধু” (Amar Boro Choto Bondhu) or “ছোটদের গল্প” (Chotoder Golpo)
  • Simple Articles: News headlines and summaries on BBC Bengali or Anandabazar Patrika
  • Short Stories: Works by eminent Bengali authors like Rabindranath Tagore or Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay.

Journaling in Bengali would be excellent to hone your writing skills:

  • Daily Reflections: Write about your day, thoughts, or feelings in simple sentences.
  • Short Stories: Write your own short stories or anecdotes.
  • Language Exchange: Write letters or emails to a language partner.
  • Web Resources

Take your reading and writing to the next level with these websites and apps:

  • BBC Bengali: News articles, videos, and podcasts for learners
  • Anandabazar Patrika: Online newspaper with simple articles and news
  • Duolingo: Interactive reading and writing practice
  •  Type Bengali text using the Romanization keyboard

Living Benagli Language to Learn Bangla

  • Read Bengali signboards, menus, or product labels.
  • Write Bengali greetings or messages to your friends and family.
  • Create a Bengali journal or diary.

Reading and Writing Exercise Tips to Learn Bengali from English

  1. Start with short texts and build up the complexity.
  2. Use flashcards to pick up new vocabularies.
  3. Practice grammar and sentence formation.
  4. Practice should not be avoided even when there is just ten to fifteen minutes a day available.

Learn Bengali in 30 Days with Our Complete Guide

Download our Learn Bengali in 30 Days PDF guide, with:

  • Daily lessons and exercises
  • Interactive quizzes and games
  • Cultural leftovers and tips

Reveal your full potential with our Bengali course.

Join our community of learners and become fluent in Bengali. Book your first Benagli lesson for FREE with us. 

Our expert teachers, native Bangla speakers, will guide you through.

bengali language in english

Step 7: Soak up Bengali Culture

Unravel the mystery of the Bengali language by sinking into its rich culture:

Make good time exploring Bengali Culture

  • Enjoy festivals like Durga Puja, Bengali New Year (Poila Boishakh) etc.
  • Enjoy Bengali food: Jhol muri, Mishti doi, Shorshe ilish, and many other delightful dishes.
  • Get familiar with traditions: Bengali weddings, Annaprashan, Upanayana, etc.
  • Get knowledge of history: Bengali Renaissance, the independence movement, Rabindranath Tagore, and much more.

Connect to Bengali community

  • Engage in discussions over social media like Intsagram, Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, Discord servers, etcand strengthen the relationship
  • Go to local functions: Attend cultural festivals, concerts, movie screenings, etc
  • Be a language partner: Practice speaking and listening skills with native speakers
  • Cook Bengali dishes: Savor authentic flavors and fragrances

Step 8: Review Your Bengali Learning Regularly

To get the maximum retention of the knowledge you acquire in Bengali, make reviewing a part of your routine. 

Set specific times every week to revisit what you have learned. It might be a Sunday afternoon or any other day which suits you.

Supplement with quizzes or flashcards for vocabulary and grammar. Flashcards are most effective for memorizing new vocabulary and phrases. You may create your own or use apps such as Anki or Quizlet to type yours or use theirs before class. Create a deck to drill verb conjugations or common phrases, for example, and keep drilling in them.

Maintain a Language Journal

Record your learning journey:

New words and phrases  (Write them down and try using them in sentences)

For Learning Grammar rules: Write the explanation and examples.

Step 9 : Reflecting on your Learning Journey

Identify what work and what do not while you are learning Bengali from English. For Example: when you learn the word “সন্ধ্যা”, write it down in a sentence :

এটি একটি সুন্দর সন্ধ্যা।

(Eti akta shundor shondhya.)

It is a beautiful evening.

Identify what works best for you. Are you able to learn using visual aids like flashcards?  Do you remember vocabulary better when you write it down? Writing these reflections can be a means of adjusting your study methods to better fit your learning.

Step 10: Stay Consistent in Leraning Bengali From English 

Languages must be learned consistently. Commit at least 10 to 15 minutes for daily practice. For example, set your timer at 10 minutes every morning to review your vocabulary; or listen to a Bengali podcast on your way to work. Review Your Gains Regularly to help you speed up your learning.

Take time every week to:

  1. Reassess whether you have made any progress from last week.
  2. Identify areas that need improvements.
  3. Communicate with your co-learners and mentors and ask them for feedback.

Is Bengali Easy to Learn for English Speakers?

If you are willing to learn to Speak Bangla then its relatively easy. You simply need to learn the basic level of bengali conversations. However, if your goal is to learn reading and writingin Bengali language, it is bit of a challenge for english speakers. You might need to do sufficient practice to learn Benagli from english from scratch.
Is Bengali Difficult to Learn? For English Speakers its true that learning bengali from English isn’t as easy. Its because english has a completely different alphabet, pronunciation, grammar, and basic vocabulary. However, it’s not impossible. The biggest challenge is learning Bengali script which is completely different from English alphabets. These unique words and their pronouciations may pose difficulty at the beginning.

Aditionally, many words in Bengali language has no synonyms in English Vocabulary, so learning a new and long vocabulary list may be time-taking for beginners. However if you are commited and regularly practice, the language learing will be is easier than you think. So learning Bengali from english is not truly easy, but it is surely not impossible for learners who are willing to make sincere efforts.

Begin your Bengali Learning from English with Hindustani Tongue

Now let’s talk about the best website that will help you to learn Bengali from E nglsih easily  is Hindustani Tongue. Hindustani Tongue is considered to be the best language learning platform for students, young learners and adults mainly focused on teaching Indian languages. It is a language learning platform which focuses on teaching Indian languages in such a way where people from every age group can learn effectively and can speak the language from the very first day.

By becoming a member of our learning community at Hindustani Tongue, you will benefit from:

  • Professional teachers and native speakers who will accompany you every step along the way.
  • Systematic lessons and exercises that will make the learning process easy, fun, and productive.
  • Cultural insights to further connect you with Bengali and learn about its history and culture.
  • Regular feedback to monitor your progress and motivate you as you continue to grow.

Schedule your FREE trial lesson at a time that’s most convenient for you and begin your journey to learning Bengali from English using our unique immersion method. Our approach is designed to help you speak naturally by learning through pictures, making it easier to absorb the language in a practical and engaging way.