Table of Contents
What This Course Will Give You
This course takes you from absolute beginner to advanced user of Persian (Farsi) in clear, gradual steps. You do not need any previous knowledge of Persian or the Persian script. Each level focuses on the most important words and structures for that stage, so that you can understand and speak as soon as possible.
You will learn to read and write the Persian alphabet, pronounce sounds correctly, build simple sentences, and then move on to more complex grammar, real-life communication, and eventually high-level academic and literary skills. The language of explanation is English, but you will constantly see, hear, and practice Persian.
The most important habit for using this course is: read, say aloud, repeat, and use every new Persian word and sentence.
How the Course Is Organized
The course is divided into levels from A1 to C2. These correspond roughly to international language levels.
A1 is for absolute beginners and teaches you the alphabet, basic pronunciation, very simple grammar, and everyday phrases. A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2 increase the complexity of grammar, vocabulary, and skills step by step.
Each level is divided into units, and each unit is divided into short, focused chapters. Every chapter has a clear topic such as greetings, numbers, or past tense, and at the end of every chapter you will find a short vocabulary list of the key Persian words introduced there.
You should work through the chapters in order because later chapters assume that you remember the core words and patterns from earlier units.
How to Study Each Chapter
For every chapter, follow the same routine.
First, read the explanations in English carefully. Do not try to memorize everything at once. Focus on understanding the examples. Then, read each Persian example out loud several times. Even if your pronunciation is not perfect, moving your mouth and hearing your voice helps you learn.
Next, write the new words. When the script is involved, copy the Persian words slowly, paying attention to each letter, its shape, and its connection to other letters. Repeat writing the same word several times.
Finally, use the language. Turn each example into something about you. If you see “I am a student,” try to say “I am a teacher” or “I am Iranian” or whatever is true for you, using the same pattern.
For every chapter: read, say out loud, write, then change the examples to talk about yourself.
How to Learn Vocabulary
Every chapter ends with a short vocabulary list. These words are important at your current level. Some will repeat in later levels, but you should try to recognize and say all of them confidently.
To learn vocabulary effectively, always do three things. First, say the word aloud several times. Second, write it at least three times. Third, put it in a simple sentence, even if the sentence is very basic.
For example, if you learn a word for “water,” you should not just read it once. You should say it, write it, and then create a very simple sentence like “I want water.”
If you use flashcards or an app for spaced repetition, add only the words that you have already met in the course. Do not overload yourself with long lists that you never really use.
How to Practice Listening and Speaking
Whenever there is audio (for example in greetings, numbers, or dialogues), always listen at least three times.
The first time, just listen without reading. The second time, listen and read at the same time. The third time, pause after each sentence and repeat aloud, trying to match the rhythm and stress.
If possible, record yourself repeating a short dialogue. Then listen to your recording and compare it to the model. Do not worry if you sound different. Just notice and adjust slowly.
Even if you do not have a Persian speaking partner, you can practice speaking by talking to yourself. Describe what you are doing, say the time, count objects in the room, or repeat the examples from the chapter and change small parts.
Always speak out loud. Silent reading alone is not enough for learning to communicate in Persian.
How to Work with Grammar
Grammar chapters will explain patterns like the verb “to be,” present tense, past tense, pronouns, and so on. Treat grammar as a tool for creating sentences, not as a list of rules to memorize.
Whenever you see a rule, immediately look at the examples and ask: “What changes in the sentence? Where is the verb? How does the meaning change?” Then, imitate those patterns and make your own examples.
If a grammar point feels difficult, you do not need to fully master it at once. Move on, keep seeing it in later chapters, and return to the explanation when you have more context. The course is designed so that important structures appear many times at different levels.
Formal and Informal Language
Persian has formal and informal forms, especially for pronouns and some verb endings. This course introduces both and tells you when they are used. In the early levels you will usually learn the more common informal spoken forms first, with notes about the formal equivalents.
When you learn a new expression, always think: is this formal, informal, or neutral? The chapter on formal vs informal Persian will give you a clear overview, so in other chapters we will only point out the specific differences that matter there.
In your own practice, decide for each situation which style you want to use. For example, with friends you will use informal speech, and in a job interview or an official letter you will use formal speech.
Moving from One Level to the Next
Before you move from A1 to A2, or from any level to the next, make sure you can comfortably do the following things for that level.
You should be able to read and understand the example sentences without constant reference to the explanations. You should be able to say the example dialogues with some fluency, even if you are not perfect. You should recognize the core vocabulary at the end of each chapter and use most of it in simple sentences.
If you feel weak in one area, such as listening or writing, spend extra time reviewing the corresponding chapters and vocabulary lists. Repetition is part of the design of this course, not a sign of failure.
Do not rush. It is better to know fewer words and structures well than many words that you cannot really use.
How to Review and Self‑Assess
Plan regular review sessions. For example, after every three or four chapters, go back and quickly read the example sentences again, cover the English translation and try to remember the meaning, then check.
At the end of each unit, try a short self‑test. Introduce yourself, talk about your family, or describe a day in your life, using only the words and grammar from that unit. If you notice gaps, go back to the relevant chapter and review its vocabulary list and examples.
For higher levels, self‑assessment will include reading short texts, summarizing them, and giving short spoken or written opinions. The course will guide you in these skills gradually.
How to Use the Vocabulary Lists at Each Level
Since this course must include all important Persian words for each level, the vocabulary lists at the end of chapters are carefully chosen. At A1 and A2, they cover the most basic and frequent words that you need for everyday situations. At B1 and B2, the lists expand to cover more abstract topics, more precise verbs, and useful connectors. At C1 and C2, the vocabulary becomes more specialized, literary, academic, and idiomatic.
When you study at any level, treat the chapter vocabulary lists as your “must know” words. You do not need to chase every rare or complicated word that you meet outside the course. Focus on mastering the words officially presented here for your current level. Later levels will add and recycle these words in new contexts.
You can also keep your own personal list of words that feel especially useful to your life or interests, but this should be secondary to the official lists provided in the course.
Adapting the Course to Your Situation
If you plan to travel to Iran soon and have limited time, you may want to focus on the A1 and A2 chapters that teach greetings, numbers, shopping, transportation, and basic requests. If your goal is academic reading, then at higher levels you will pay special attention to formal registers, nominalization, and advanced verb forms.
You can change the speed at which you move, but you should not change the order of the grammar topics. The sequence is designed so that each new concept builds on what you already know.
If you have a teacher or language partner, you can use the chapters as a structure for conversation practice. If you are self‑studying, you can use the examples as mini dialogues and narratives to practice alone.
Common Difficulties and How to Handle Them
At the beginning, many learners struggle with the script and right‑to‑left writing. Be patient, and give extra time to the alphabet chapters. Once you can recognize the letters, reading will become much easier.
Pronunciation of some sounds may feel unfamiliar. When a new sound appears, imitate it slowly and exaggerate your mouth movement. Over time, your pronunciation will become more natural.
Do not be afraid of making mistakes. In the first levels, your main goal is communication, not perfection. You will gradually learn to correct your own errors as your understanding of grammar and vocabulary grows.
Using Other Resources Together with This Course
You may want to use dictionaries, apps, videos, or Persian media in addition to this course. This is helpful, but you should keep the core of your learning tied to the sequence of this material. When you meet a new word elsewhere, ask yourself which level it belongs to and whether you already have enough grammar to use it.
If you watch Persian films or listen to songs, do not worry if you understand very little at first. Treat them as extra listening practice, and focus your serious study time on the structured chapters of this course.
Staying Motivated
Learning a new language is a long process. You will have days when Persian feels easy and exciting, and other days when it feels confusing. This is normal.
Set small, clear goals. For example, finish one chapter every two or three days, or learn ten new words per day from the chapter vocabulary lists. Celebrate the moments when you can understand a simple sentence, recognize a word on a sign, or complete a short dialogue without looking at the text.
Remember that every bit of practice counts. Even five minutes of reading sentences aloud or reviewing a vocabulary list keeps your connection to the language alive.