"The great spiritual language of the world" (Joseph Campbell)... one that supports the truth of the Self; "I, abiding in my own true nature." In this sense, Sanskrit, the language of yoga, is perfectly aligned with the model of yoga.
Hinduism and Sanskrit are inseparably related. Sanskrit learning, if it is really important for us, must be provided by those who know it the best.
Here is the example of an Indian Sanskrit language school with its original methods.
There are at least Seven Levels in Sanskrit Courses offered by Dr. Sarasvati Mohan.
Each course requires meeting of maximum 15 hours and weekly homework of around five hours. This Sanskrit learning course is equal to a semester of the University language course. The courses offer step by step exposure and introduction to the divine language. Depending on the student's interest and background, after 1-2 years of Sanscrit learning, the student should be able to translate and understand texts like the Bhagavad-gita.
Sanskrit Level 1 presupposes Sanskrit writing and reading; the student will be able to read perfectly any text in Sanskrit. The focus of exercises is according to the major interest of the student: Yoga, Ayurveda, or general. This level is in the form of correspondence course also.
Sanskrit Level 2 gives fundamental knowledge of major concepts of Sanskrit language, such as verb, noun, pronoun, adjective and also about case, gender and others. The student will be able to construct atleast 750 simple sentences in Sanskrit. This level is in the form of correspondence Sanskrit learning also.
Sanskrit Level 3 readings include interesting stories and memorable Slokas. The main emphasis here is on Sandhi, euphonic combination. With fifteen exercises of Sandhi, the student gets a solid foundatiion in the so called problematic aspect of the language. Sandhi exercises are selected from the Gita. This level is in the form of correspondence course also.
Sanskrit Level 4 lessons include stories and Subhashitas . Students apply their knowledge of Sandhi in order to decipher the lessons; Sanskrit learning concentrates on Sandhi and different aspects of the verb and its use.
Sanskrit Level 5 readings include selected text from the original Ramayana. Students get a deeper feel of the holy language with exercises from a broad selection of Sanskrit literature. They also gain strength in translating authentic texts.
Sanskrit Level 6 readings include selections from challenging Sanskrit prose works; the main focus here is on compounds.
Sanskrit Level 7 readings include memorable Slokas from literature and anthologies (Subhashitas). Here the main focus is on meter (Chandas): how to scan the meter and fully feel the force of the Slokas. This course helps the interested student even to write some simple Slokas (metrical compositions).
American do also try not to be behindhand in Sanskrit learning promotion.
The American Sanskrit Institute was created by Vyaas Houston M.A. in 1989 with a vision of Sanskrit as a universal sacred language.