WHY LEARN TAMIL?
There are more than 80 million people Tamil speakers across the globe. Tamil is widely spoken by a number of people in countries like India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, Fiji, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States of America.
![Indian women planting rice in Tamil Nadu, India.](https://www.americantamilacademy.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/iStock-1203084794-paddy-field-scaled.jpg)
Tamil is the official language of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Tamil carries an international status as the official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore. Tamil has constitutional recognition in South Africa, Mauritius, and Malaysia.
![Inscriptions of Tamil language carved on the stone walls at Brihadeeswarar temple in Thanjavur. Indian rock relief art of stone inscriptions in temples.](https://www.americantamilacademy.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/iStock-1304536962-scaled.jpg)
Tamil has the richest and the most ancient literature. Tamil is useful for understanding the literary and cultural values of the Tamils and acts as a bridge to build business ties with Tamil Nadu, Singapore, and other countries.
![Shore temple in Mahabalipuram, Tamilnadu, India.](https://www.americantamilacademy.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/iStock-1425429517-scaled.jpg)