Students just want to be able to talk to their parents, grandparents or pick up a newspaper and read or understand the music that they’re listening to. These are the kind of things that come into their mind,” says Harmen Pandher, who has taught Grade 5 students at Beaver Creek Elementary for the past decade.
He notes that most students are predominantly from Punjabi families.
“It’s something really practical for them on a personal level, and eventually a professional level,” says Pandher, who studied Punjabi while taking his undergraduate degree at UBC.
As an alternative to French as the second language requirement, students can choose to learn Punjabi in a four-year course.
The program starts in Grade 5 and goes until Grade 8. The course is based on the B.C. Punjabi as a Second Language curriculum and is taught by a teacher fluent in Punjabi. The teacher must pass a proficiency test with the district. Students spend 45 to 60 minutes a day learning the language. They study resources that come from Indian or local bookstores.
Not only do the students learn the language, they also are exposed to the cultural aspect, such as traditions and festivals and the origins of the language, notes Pandher, who also has taught Grade 11 and 12 students Punjabi at Queen Elizabeth School.
When asked if students study secular or religious texts, Pandher says it is secular; they don’t get into religious topics specifically.
“For example, we look at some major religions of the world and see that some use Punjabi as their primary language in Sikh temples and in the scriptures. We make kids aware of different contexts of where Punjabi might be used,” he says.
Pandher observes there is interest in the community in expanding Punjabi classes. Learning languages, in general, is beneficial for students academically, and also presents more opportunities for them in the future.
“Knowing a language is like having a key. When you know a language, it just opens so many doors for you … especially where we are, the most multicultural place on earth, so why not be able to communicate with as many people as you can?” he says.
Other schools that offer this program are Newton Elementary and Strawberry Hill Elementary.
Those who have wish to continue the program can attend Princess Margaret Secondary or Tamanawis Secondary for Grade 8. Punjabi levels 11 and 12 are offered at Princess Margaret Secondary, Queen Elizabeth, Panorama Ridge and L.A. Matheson. 
 For more information, visit  www.surreyschools.ca