Introduction

Basic Punjabi is developed with Open Educational Resources (OER) at Michigan State University Libraries. It is an online, interactive, theme-based textbook for true beginners to the Punjabi language. It promotes communicative, linguistic, and cultural competence. It includes a mixture of pedagogical approaches to fit all types of learning and teaching philosophies/styles to achieve intermediate low to mid-ACTFL proficiency levels within a semester.

The book has eight chapters. Chapter 1 is an introduction to the Punjabi script and sound system. Chapters 2–8 are based on themes: beginning conversation; family; one’s surroundings, expressing likes, dislikes, needs, and possession; giving instructions and making requests, expressing present, past, and future actions; and talking about past and completed actions.

Each chapter starts with a review of the vocabulary, grammar, and theme of the previous chapter and includes two to three reading/listening activities carefully tailored to fit the proficiency level of the intended learners. Each chapter also has a grammar section, which includes three to four grammatical items explained through video and text, followed by interactive activities.

The book aims to cater to different learning and teaching styles so the learners can go through the reading/listening sections then the grammar section, or the other way around, to develop linguistic competence. Vocabulary in reading/listening is built into the conversation with the English meaning so that learners can infer the meaning in the given context. Activities in reading/listening and grammar have been developed by using H5P so that learners can get immediate constructive feedback.

Lastly, this book is the beginning of the journey and not the end. I promise to keep this book updated and revised based on users’ and experts’ feedback. So, if you find any errors and/or have suggestions, please do not hesitate to write to punjabilp@aiis.edu.in.