About our school
An ancient language, alive in every new generation.
A welcoming Saturday school where young people learn Tamil and stay connected to our traditional and treasured heritage.
Our language
Tamil: a classical language.
Tamil is an incredibly ancient language and, according to Harvard University, fulfils all eleven characteristics used to classify a classical language. Its literary tradition reaches back thousands of years, making its exact origins difficult to determine.
“கல் தோன்றி மண் தோன்றாக் காலத்தே, வாளோடு முன் தோன்றி மூத்த குடி!”
A classical language
Eleven defining characteristics.
These are the eleven prerequisites identified for a language to be considered classical.
- 01Antiquity
- 02Individuality
- 03Common character
- 04Neutrality
- 05Parental kinship
- 06Expression through the cultural art and life experiences of civilised society
- 07The ability to function independently without the influence of another language or literature
- 08Literary prowess
- 09Noble ideas and ideals
- 10Originality in art and literary expression
- 11Linguistic principles
A living legacy
Thousands of years of language and literature.
Archaeological evidence shows Tamil literature dating back around 5,000 years. Tamil has a distinctive alphabet of 247 characters—nearly ten times the number of letters in the English alphabet.
The earliest known Tamil inscriptions date to around 500 BC. Celebrated works include Tholkaapiyam, written by Tholkaapiyar around 200 BC on Tamil grammar and literature, and Thirukkural, written by Thiruvalluvar around 300 BC as a broad guide to ethics, polity and love.
“English is the window to the world, but our mother tongue is the main door to our world.”
Every Saturday
1:30 PM–5:00 PM
Our home
The De La Salle Academy
Our focus
Tamil & culture
Why we began
Preserving culture through language.
Tamil is deeply interwoven with culture: language, literature, music, dance, theatre, folk and martial arts, painting, sculpture, architecture, sport, media, cuisine, clothing, celebrations, philosophy, faith, traditions, science and technology.
Liverpool Tamil Kalvikoodam was established to preserve this culture and identity—not only by teaching our language, but by helping future generations understand its significance. We use a wide range of methods and techniques so children find Tamil interesting, accessible and rewarding to learn.
Our story
From 20 learners to a thriving school community.
Our admiration for Tamil led us to open Liverpool Tamil School on 26 January 2014. We began with just 20 students; five years later, more than 200 enthusiastic students were studying Tamil and Fine Arts subjects with us. Our drive and passion have never diminished.
Iyal · Literature
Speaking, reading and writing Tamil with confidence.
Isai · Music
Carnatic music and a growing range of fine arts.
Naadagam · Drama
Performance that brings language and heritage to life.
Teaching the whole child.
Guided by the three ancient practices of Sangam literature—Iyal, Isai and Naadagam—we prioritise spoken and written Tamil alongside performing arts such as Carnatic music and Bharatanatyam. The school has also aimed to introduce Miruthangam, keyboard and violin lessons.
Our dedicated, disciplined and inspirational teachers share a passion for helping every child reach their potential.
Sport, teamwork and confidence.
Our annual sports day develops physical ability, teamwork, togetherness, motivation, grit and determination. As one committed team, we help students speak Tamil fluently with confidence and write it with ease.
A warm welcome
Come and be part of our growing school.
Our school has grown from strength to strength and reached new heights of academic excellence. Our friendly committee, passionate teachers and welcoming students are ready to greet new families with open arms. Please come and visit us—we look forward to seeing you.