In previous years I spent a little time getting to know the Tibetan language but I had no formal training. I entered Bill’s class with an open mind and no expectations but rather with a hope of developing a greater foundation in the language that could grow and evolve over time. Bill is a diverse teacher in that he teaches beginners to simply focus on memorizing and writing the alphabet while helping advanced students work more on reading/translating and writing. There is something for everyone. The class also focuses on learning classical Tibetan debate techniques. Students learn how to think logically and understand more the complex relationships between the Tibetan language and Tibetan Buddhist philosophy. The logic applied in this class is not only good for developing a clear understanding of the language but can also be applied to life in so many ways. I’m certain that I could take this same course a few times and learn many new things every time. Bill is a great teacher and really knows how to meet each student at the level they are at. I highly recommend this class for anyone looking to deepen their own personal practice and not to shy away because Tibetan language may seem intimidating … even a little bit of insight into the language goes along way. – Amanda, Summer Tibetan Intensive Student 2018

The Classical Tibetan Language summer intensive at Maitripa is a rare and precious offering.  When I took it last summer, I was joined by students from all over the country (even international students) and from diverse backgrounds. Bill Magee is a treasure trove of knowledge and experience, and he teaches with as much heart as he does wisdom. The class is fun and challenging. I started with no Tibetan whatsoever, but there were other students who had already studied Tibetan before, and I think it was challenging for all of us. And fun! The best part for me was getting to see how Buddhist texts are translated from Tibetan into English, and sharing in the experience of wrestling with that process. It’s really a beautiful thing; that experience has changed how I read Buddhist texts and, in some ways, made me feel closer to them. Many thanks to Bill Magee and Maitripa for this incredible opportunity.  – Kate, Summer Tibetan Intensive Student, 2018