Classical Persian: Grammar and Speaking

Establish a Strong Foundation in Persian Grammar, Reading, and Speaking

This programme offers a carefully structured and accessible introduction to the Persian language, opening the door to one of the world’s most refined and expressive linguistic traditions. Persian is widely admired for the clarity of its grammatical structure, the musicality of its sound, and the richness of its vocabulary. Studying the language is not merely a practical pursuit, but an encounter with a distinctive intellectual heritage and mode of expression. With a sustained focus on grammar, reading comprehension, and spoken communication, this course develops core linguistic competence while fostering clarity, confidence, and accuracy.

Led by Saeedeh Mirtorabi, an Iranian-born Persian language lecturer and doctoral researcher in linguistics at the University of Tehran, the programme is shaped by her native fluency and a quiet continuity of Iranian female scholarship in the preservation, teaching, and wider cultural transmission of the Persian language and its intellectual heritage. Her specialisation in Persian syntax, combined with almost a decade of experience teaching learners from a wide range of cultural backgrounds, ensures a classroom environment that is rigorous, attentive, and rooted in the lived experience of the language. Her approach balances academic precision with sensitivity to individual learning rhythms, offering students a meaningful and supportive introduction to Persian.

Programme Format

  • Weekly 60-minute classes (online)

  • 10-week rolling terms, are designed to facilitate remote learning

  • Structured instruction in Persian grammar and syntax

  • Vocabulary development through practical, everyday topics

  • Guided reading of short, accessible texts

  • Speaking and listening activities to build oral fluency

  • Flexible pacing to support comprehension and steady progress

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

  1. Grammatical Clarity
    Acquire and apply fundamental grammatical structures with confidence.

  2. Reading Proficiency
    Develop the ability to read and interpret Persian texts with precision.

  3. Spoken Expression
    Improve fluency in everyday conversation through guided practice.

  4. Linguistic Awareness
    Build an informed understanding of Persian syntax and its role in the structure of the language.

Who is this for?

This programme is designed for beginners, as well as for those returning to Persian after a period away. It provides a thoughtfully crafted academic introduction to the language, with a focus on building foundational skills in grammar, reading, and speaking. Students are supported in developing both fluency and accuracy within a serious yet welcoming learning environment.

Day & Time

Wednesdays | 7:00 – 8:00pm (BST) | Inaugural Class: 16th July 2025

Format & Frequency

Online only | Live on Zoom | Weekly

Registration

Formal registration is required to participate in the programme | Enrolment now open

Lecturer

Saeedeh Mirtorabi