Learn Gujarati in London

Gujarati Language Courses at LSI Language School in London

Gujarati, also known as Gujerati, Gujarathi, Guzratee, and Guujaratee, is an Indo-Aryan language descending from Sanskrit, and part of the greater Indo-European language family.  It is native to the Indian state of Gujarat, and is its official and primary language, as well as the language of the adjacent union territories of Daman, Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli.  Gujarati is one of the 22 official languages and 14 regional languages of India.  There are about 46 million speakers of Gujarati worldwide, making it the 26th most spoken native language in the world.

Of the approximately 46 million speakers of Gujarati, roughly 45.5 million reside in India, 150,000 in Uganda, 250,000 in Tanzania, 50,000 in Kenya and roughly 100,000 in Pakistan.  It is also the language of the large Gujarati community in Mumbai, India.

As with most languages, Gujarati comes in numerous regional dialects that differ in pronunciation, vocabulary, and/or grammar.  Some dialects have many Arabic and Persian borrowings, some others, such as the southern dialects, take more from Portuguese and English, while others take more from Hindi.

The United Kingdom has about 300,000 speakers of Gujarati, many of them situated in the London areas of Wembley, Harrow and Newham, and in Leicester, Coventry and Bradford.  A considerable population exists in North America as well.  A portion of these numbers consists of East African Gujaratis who, under increasing discrimination and policies of Africanisation in their newly-independent resident countries (especially Uganda, where Idi Amin expelled 50,000 Asians), were left with uncertain futures and citizenships. Most, with British passports, settled in the UK.

Gujarat is a state in the Republic of India.  With 19.8% of the country's total industrial output, it is the most industrialised state in India.  Gujarat borders Pakistan, and the states of Rajasthan to the north-east, Madhya Pradesh to the east, Maharashtra and the Union territories of Diu, Daman, Dadra and Nagar Haveli to the south.  The international border with Pakistan is to the north-west.  The Arabian Sea makes up the state's western coast.  Its capital, Gandhinagar is a planned city and is located near Ahmedabad, the former state capital and the current commercial center of Gujarat.

About 89% of the population of Gujarat are Hindu.  Muslims account for 9% and Jain for 1% of the population.  Most of the Gujarati people are strict vegetarians.  Amongst Hindus the deity of Krishna is famously worshipped in his form of Shrinathji throughout Gujarat.  Gujarat is birthplace of Gandhi and is also the birthplace of the Swaminarayan sect of Hinduism.

Gujarat is one of the most prosperous states of the country, having a per-capita GDP 2.5 times India's average.  If it was a nation it would have been 67th richest nation above many European and Asian economies like China and Ukraine.  Gujarat controls some of the largest businesses in India.

Whether you are learning Gujarati for business, leisure or academic purpose, at LSI we will ensure that your Gujarati language course at our school in Central London is a successful and enjoyable experience.

• Your current level of Gujarati and training requirements will be carefully assessed.
• Our Gujarati tutors, who are all highly qualified, have many years of experience teaching Gujarati at all levels.
• Your course will be tailor-made to meet your specific training needs, ensuring that it is relevant, practical, effective and fun.
• Our tutors use a wide range of up-to-date teaching materials including a variety of books, authentic documents, audio and video recordings.