St. Alphonsa Syro- Malabar Catholic Church Austin, Texas, started the School of Languages on September 8th 2018, on the occasion of the 10th Anniversary of its founding, to teach Malayalam to the children of the immigrant parishioners , the language of their parents and grand- parents, spoken in Kerala, the southern part of the Indian Subcontinent, a land of natural beauty,a land of back waters lined with coconut palm trees, also affectionately called ‘God's Own Country’.
His Excellency Mar Joy Alappat, the then Auxiliary Bishop of St. Thomas Syro Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago, officially inaugurated the school, in the presence of Rev Fr Dominic Perunilam, our then Vicar, and trustees. Mrs. Aisha Lawrence was appointed as the first Principal.
Learning Malayalam offers numerous benefits, especially for children living in the U.S. It helps them stay connected to their cultural and spiritual heritage, as Malayalam is intertwined with the community's traditions, worship, and identity. Understanding the language fosters inclusiveness and a sense of belonging. It also enhances mental and emotional growth, encouragesmultitasking and improves communication skills. Additionally, learning Malayalam allows children to connect with their roots in Kerala, aiding in better interactions with the local community when visiting or communicating with family back home.
We are proud to have over 40 students enrolled across five classes, ranging from Pre-K to Grade 12. We also welcome adults who would like to learn Malayalam. Our school is blessed with a dedicated team of teachers who share a passion for nurturing our children’s love for the Malayalam language and culture.
We are deeply grateful for the constant support and guidance of our beloved Vicar, Rev Fr Anto G Alappat, along with our trustees and parish council members, whose encouragement and leadership help our program thrive.
As the Principal of Malayalam Language School, I warmly encourage all parishioners to take this opportunity to enroll your children in our program. Together, let us continue to preserve and pass on this beautiful language to the next generation.
Warm regards,
| Class 1 | 1. Izabel Anna Jaimon 2. Honey Sebastian |
| Class 2 | 1. Mareena Malakkaran 2. Rosamma Chacko |
| Class 3 | 1. Manjusha Jaimon 2. Rosemary Paul |
| Class 4 | 1. Tessy Mathew Valiyaparambil 2. Reena Shince |
| Class 5 | 1. Jaya Palatty 2. Thomas Chacko |
| Substitute Teacher | Minnu Sanil |
