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Ziba Khodabandeh

No background knowledge for this course. Lessons are in both Persian and Latin alphabet.

This is the complete course you need: starting from the alphabet, we learn how to read and write Persian - then we move to simple sentences up to more advance ones. You will find yourself in a REAL class.

Each lesson has a different topic - come back whenever you need it.

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No background knowledge for this course. Lessons are in both Persian and Latin alphabet.

This is the complete course you need: starting from the alphabet, we learn how to read and write Persian - then we move to simple sentences up to more advance ones. You will find yourself in a REAL class.

Each lesson has a different topic - come back whenever you need it.

From beginner to intermediate levels, all Persian learners can get this course.I will take you through different conversations and vocabulary based on daily life needs like introducing yourself, formal vs. informal conversations, colloquial language, and cultural insights.Also, B1 Persian learners and upper levels can take this course. Thanks to my Persian teaching experience, I know Persian learners' difficulties and needs so I explained the WHYs in Farsi (Persian) language in this course, and once and for all it will get clear for you. For each lesson, there is a downloadable PDF file, in which you can find the gist of the lesson and get the benefit of the exercises that you can test yourself and the answer key will help you how much you could learn.

This course is in a continuous update, so expect more content and material in the future. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the course and Persian. I would be glad to answer you.Enjoy talking sweet Persian.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Introducing persian language from a very basic level.
  • Each lesson comes with exercises and supplementary materials.
  • Being an online persian teacher helped/helps me to know persian learners' difficulties and in this course i tried to cover them.
  • At the end of the course my students will be able to keep a dailylife conversation, and colloquial language won't be difficult for them anymore.

Syllabus

We will be able to write and read words made by letters Alef, A, E, O, P, T, S.

In this first lesson, I introduce you to the very first rules and concepts of the Persian alphabet. We will also learn how to write and pronounce the first 2 letters.

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We learned the first two letters of the Persian alphabet. What about writing the first words?

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After introducing the first two letters we are ready to exlpore the vowels A, E, O and their rules.

We end the lesson learning other 3 letters, P, T, S, using the same rules as letter B.

We are at the end of the first section: here we revise what we've learned in the previous lessons with some examples.

Here we learn about other two letters which have got the same rules as B, T, S.

Now let's write them and combine them with the letters that we've learned so far.

Welcome to the world of single letters!
Unfriendly letter?! What is that?

The last rule of the single letters.
Combining them with open and closed endings and vowels. It's fun! (and a bit challenging!)

More examples and yeah, you can write a sentence! Yay!

In this first lesson, I introduce you the first and the most common conversation you will have, "How are you?".

After showing you how to write it, we will go through the meaning of each sentence and start to get familiar with Farsi's sound and structure.

In this video, I show you how to ask someone's name and I explain to you a basic grammar rule, how to make the possessive form!

Grammar Time! You are going to learn the verb "Hastan", "to be" in Persian. The second part of the lesson introduces some examples to get you familiar with ''hastan'' and pronouns.

How to talk formally in Farsi? It's not always polite to use the pronoun 'tow'. We can't call people by the pronoun 'tow' unless they are one of our friends or family!

The most simple yet common way to ask ''Where Are You From?'' and answer it in Persian / Farsi and the name of some countries in the world.

If you've got an Iranian parent, probably you know what I'm talking about!

My dear students! The colloquial language is the actual language that you will hear from a native speaker.

Highly recommended to learn!

Colloquial language? How does it work? If you learn the sound pattern in Farsi/ Persian then you will get which ending form is the BEST one for the verb hastan.

Keep calm and continue to learn the colloquial form of 'hastan' once for all!

FINAL PART! Keep going! You're almost done, buddy!

You can learn how to count 1-100 just in ten minutes!

  • A: Which number is an upside-down heart in Farsi?!

  • B: Letter 'V' is a number? Really?!

  • A: Yeah! And actually, an upside-down 'V' is another one!

  • B: You must be kidding! Ah...the alphabet is strange enough... it's fun though!

  • A: I know! But don't forget to write the numbers from left to right! It's a mathematical thing after all!

Your so-far conversational skill list in Farsi/Persian:

  • asking names and saying names..... ✅checked

  • where are you from?.....✅checked

-How old are you?..... ❌going to be checked by watching this video!

-Make sure to download the PDF file and practice it!

In this lesson, you can learn:

  • possessive pronouns

  • name of family members

Developing conversation:

  -talking about your family member (telling their names and how are they)

Your so-far conversational skill in Farsi/Persian:

  • asking names and saying names..... ✅checked

  • where are you from?.....✅checked

  • How old are you?..... ✅checked

  • My family....✅checked

-What do you do for a living? ..... ❌going to be checked by watching this video!

+Name of some jobs

+office, company,...

Get ready for talking about your routine!

  • The first step is to know the Simple Present Tense

  • Don't forget to memorize the imperative form of the verbs!

In this lesson, you can learn the conjugation of 5 verbs that I thought you might need them like: to know.

PART 2: In this lesson, you can learn the conjugation of 5 verbs that I thought you might need them like: to know

Monday is NOT the first day of the week! When is the weekend? Watch and learn the weekdays!

By this lesson, you get one more step closer to "Routine"

To sound more natural and native, you definitely need to know how to say: always, sometimes, never,... ?

You're almost there!

  • What time is it?

  • At what time do you ...

Here we go through a long text about the routine of a girl.

Here things start to get complex but interesting indeed! Lots of new terms and forms are used here, so be ready to take notes.

Hello guys! I'm back with the new section! Each lesson has been divided into four units. The main focus of the first part will be on vocabulary. The second is on conversation, the third is on listening and the fourth will be about grammar. The lessons will be presented in ppt format and the ppts are available for download. The good news is at the end of each ppt you'll have the exercise part. So you can test your knowledge. I know the exercises in ppt might be uncomfortable, but for this, I have prepared also the downloadable PDFsEnjoy learning Persian with Ziba!

Food Likes and Dislikes PART TWO
Let's learn more phrases and language expressions about likes and dislikes in Persian!

We are going to learn 'face parts' and how to describe somebody's face, hair and more

guess who?! I describe the face and you need to spot the corresponding picture!

learn the body parts and learn how to say somebody is tall, overweight,...

There are a bunch of idiomatic expressions with face and body parts in Farsi. In this lesson, we're learning some of them. Level up your Farsi!

here, we learn 'Past Simple' in Persian

tip!
P = Past = Paarsaal = Pareerooz!

I told 'HER'.
Did you see 'THEM'?
how to say those words written in uppercase in Persian?

a few, a little, some, a lot of equivalents

Some in English has a broader meaning that Farsi, for sure. However, 'some' depending on the context could be interpreted differently.
Someone is ringing the bell means ' a person whose identinty is unknown is ringing the bell.

Here in this lesson, you're going to learn everything you need about Farsi equivalnts of SOME.

In this conversation, we see a tourist asking for information to another person. Let's find the slight differences in formal and informal language.

Hafez (together with Rumi) is the most famous poet of Persia, he is representative of Iranian poetry.

Here, I'm reading a Hafez' ghazal - his words sound musical even for non-Farsi speakers, showing the beauty of this language. Unfortunately, his writing style is very symbolic, therefore it's pretty hard to get the full meaning of the poem through translations.

This video is taken from my free tourist guide to Iran course. Here, we're knowing the names and the characteristics of a few Persian dishes.

Immerse yourself in Farsi culture with this language lesson on proverbs.

In this first lesson I introduce you the first and most common conversation you will have, "How are you?".

After showing you how to write it, we will go through the meaning of each sentence and start to get familiar with Farsi's sound and structure.

In this lesson, you can learn the conjugation of 5 verbs that I thought you might need them like: to know

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Begins with the Persian alphabet and progresses to simple sentences, which builds a strong foundation for beginners interested in learning the language
Includes downloadable PDF files with exercises and answer keys, which provides learners with opportunities for self-assessment and practice
Covers formal and informal conversations, colloquial language, and cultural insights, which helps learners navigate real-world interactions
Explores daily life vocabulary, such as introducing yourself, asking for the time and age, and discussing family, which is useful for practical communication
Features lessons in both Persian and Latin alphabets, which may help learners who are unfamiliar with the Persian script
Includes a section on colloquial language, which is highly recommended to learn, as it reflects the actual language used by native speakers

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Reviews summary

Learn persian with ziba: beginner to conversation

According to learners, this course offers a highly effective introduction to Persian (Farsi), particularly for absolute beginners. Students praise instructor Ziba for her clear explanations and engaging style. The structure, starting with the alphabet and covering daily conversations and colloquial language, is a key strength. Learners found the downloadable exercises and PDFs helpful. While it introduces writing, mastering it requires additional practice. Pacing was sometimes variable. Overall, a valuable tool for building speaking fundamentals.
PDFs & exercises aid practice
"PDFs are a great resource, and the exercises help check understanding."
"Having downloadable material was very convenient for offline study."
"The exercises truly reinforced the lesson content."
Practical, covers colloquial Farsi
"Loved learning phrases I can use in actual conversations."
"The inclusion of colloquial language is incredibly useful for real life."
"Helped me gain confidence in speaking about everyday topics."
Starts with alphabet, easy intro
"Perfect for someone starting from zero, the alphabet intro is crucial."
"The course builds up knowledge logically step by step."
"Gives you a solid base to start speaking Farsi quickly."
Clear, engaging, helpful teacher
"Ziba is a fantastic teacher, explains everything so clearly."
"Her enthusiasm makes the lessons really enjoyable and easy to follow."
"The instructor addresses common learner difficulties very well."
Some lessons move quickly
"Some grammar points were covered a bit too fast for me."
"Needed to rewatch certain lessons multiple times due to pace."
"Occasionally the pace felt slow, but overall manageable."
Script challenging for beginners
"Learning the writing system was harder than expected, need more practice."
"The course introduces writing, but don't expect mastery just from this."
"Focuses more on speaking, so writing needs extra effort."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Learn Persian with Ziba: start speaking Farsi now with these activities:
Review Persian Alphabet Basics
Strengthen your foundation by reviewing the Persian alphabet, including letter forms and pronunciation rules, to prepare for more advanced lessons.
Show steps
  • Review the shapes of each letter.
  • Practice writing each letter.
  • Listen to audio recordings of each letter.
Read 'Persian for Dummies'
Supplement your learning with a comprehensive guide to Persian language and culture, providing additional context and practice opportunities.
View Alter Ego: A Novel on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Persian for Dummies'.
  • Read chapters relevant to the course syllabus.
  • Complete the exercises and activities in the book.
Practice Common Greetings and Introductions
Reinforce your understanding of basic conversational phrases by practicing greetings and introductions in Persian.
Show steps
  • Memorize common greetings like 'Salaam'.
  • Practice introducing yourself and others.
  • Role-play simple conversations with a partner.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Explore 'Colloquial Persian'
Deepen your understanding of colloquial Persian and improve your ability to communicate in everyday situations.
View Alter Ego: A Novel on Amazon
Show steps
  • Acquire a copy of 'Colloquial Persian'.
  • Work through the lessons and exercises in the book.
  • Listen to the accompanying audio materials.
Create a Short Audio Recording
Improve pronunciation and fluency by creating a short audio recording of yourself speaking Persian phrases or reading a short passage.
Show steps
  • Select a short passage or phrase to record.
  • Practice the pronunciation of each word.
  • Record yourself speaking the passage.
  • Listen to the recording and identify areas for improvement.
Build a Persian Vocabulary Flashcard Set
Enhance vocabulary retention by creating a personalized set of flashcards with Persian words, phrases, and their English translations.
Show steps
  • Gather new vocabulary words from course materials.
  • Create flashcards with Persian on one side and English on the other.
  • Review the flashcards regularly to reinforce learning.
  • Use spaced repetition to optimize memorization.
Write a Short Persian Diary Entry
Practice writing skills and reinforce vocabulary by writing a short diary entry in Persian about your daily activities or thoughts.
Show steps
  • Choose a topic for your diary entry.
  • Write a few sentences in Persian about the topic.
  • Use new vocabulary and grammar structures learned in the course.
  • Review and revise your diary entry for accuracy.

Career center

Learners who complete Learn Persian with Ziba: start speaking Farsi now will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Cultural Liaison
A cultural liaison acts as a bridge between different cultures, facilitating communication and understanding. This course helps build a foundation in Persian language and culture, which supports effective cross-cultural interactions. The course covers conversational Persian, encompassing formal and informal contexts, colloquial expressions, and cultural insights. The course may be useful in offering a nuanced understanding of Persian-speaking communities.
Teacher
A teacher educates students in a specific subject area, which could include languages. This course helps build a foundation in Persian, covering the alphabet, reading, writing, and grammar. The course covers conversational Persian in formal and informal contexts. The course may be useful in supporting language instruction. The course's focus on addressing learners' difficulties may assist a teacher.
Tour Guide
A tour guide leads groups of tourists, providing information about local attractions, history, and culture. This course helps build a foundation in Persian language and culture, which may enable a tour guide to cater to Persian-speaking tourists or lead tours in Persian-speaking regions. The course covers conversational Persian, daily life vocabulary, and cultural insights. The course may be useful in enhancing the tour experience for Persian-speaking visitors.
Social Worker
A social worker helps people solve and cope with problems in their everyday lives. This course helps build a foundation in Persian language and culture, enabling effective communication and understanding of local contexts. The course covers conversational Persian, encompassing formal and informal contexts, colloquial expressions, and cultural insights. This course may be useful in building rapport with Persian-speaking individuals and families.
Interpreter
An interpreter converts spoken language from one language to another, such as from Persian to English or vice versa. This course may be useful as it helps build a foundation in Persian, starting with the alphabet and progressing to simple and more advanced sentences. The curriculum includes learning conversational Persian, encompassing formal and informal contexts as well as colloquial expressions. The lessons cover vocabulary related to daily life, including introductions, and the course helps students develop conversational skills. The course covers the sound patterns of Persian which may assist an interpreter.
Translator
A translator converts written material from one language, such as Persian, into another language, such as English. This course helps build a foundation in Persian, covering the alphabet, reading, writing, simple sentences, and more advanced concepts in Persian. It also focuses on colloquial language and cultural insights. Learners can use the course to develop a strong grasp of Persian grammar and vocabulary. This course may be useful as it guides users from beginner to intermediate levels and covers the daily-life vocabulary needed to be a translator.
Foreign Service Officer
A Foreign Service Officer represents their country's interests abroad, engaging in diplomacy, consular services, and political and economic reporting. This course may be useful as it provides a foundation in Persian language and culture, enabling effective communication and understanding of local contexts. The course covers conversational Persian, encompassing formal and informal contexts, colloquial expressions, and cultural insights. The course may be useful for those who wish to engage with Persian-speaking communities.
Intelligence Specialist
An intelligence specialist analyzes information to identify and assess potential threats. This course helps build a foundation in Persian language and culture, which supports the analysis of Persian-language sources. The course covers vocabulary, grammar, and colloquial language, as well as cultural insights. This course may be useful for those who wish to gain a deeper understanding of Persian communication and cultural context.
Journalist
A journalist investigates and reports on current events, often working in international settings. This course may be useful as it provides a foundation in Persian language and culture, which may enable a journalist to cover stories in Persian-speaking regions or from Persian-speaking sources. The course covers reading, writing, and conversational Persian, as well as colloquial language. The course may be useful in offering a deeper understanding of local perspectives.
Intelligence Analyst
An intelligence analyst gathers and analyzes information to assess threats, trends, and potential risks. This course may be useful as it provides a foundation in Persian language and culture, which supports the analysis of Persian-language sources. The course covers reading, writing, and comprehension of Persian, as well as colloquial language and cultural insights. The course may assist one in interpreting Persian-language media. The course may be useful in understanding the nuances of Persian communication.
International Business Consultant
An international business consultant advises companies on strategies for entering or expanding into foreign markets. This course may be useful as it offers a foundation in Persian language and culture, which helps facilitate business interactions in Persian-speaking markets. The course covers conversational Persian, including formal and informal contexts, as well as cultural insights. The course may be useful in understanding the nuances of business communication in Persian.
Immigration Officer
An immigration officer interviews and processes individuals seeking entry into a country, determining their eligibility and ensuring compliance with immigration laws. This course may be useful as it offers insights into Persian language and culture, which may help facilitate communication and understanding with Persian-speaking applicants. The course covers conversational Persian, including daily life vocabulary and cultural insights. The course may be useful in building trust and rapport with individuals during immigration interviews.
Market Research Analyst
A market research analyst studies market conditions in local, regional, or national areas to examine potential sales of a product or service. This course may be useful as it introduces Persian from a very basic level, starting at the alphabet. It teaches learners to be able to keep a daily life conversation. It may be useful in assisting communication with Persian speakers.
Librarian
A librarian assists people in locating books and other forms of information. With their ability to help others, they may be attracted to language learning. This course may be useful as it introduces Persian from a very basic level, starting at the alphabet. It teaches learners to be able to keep a daily life conversation. It may be useful to engage with Persian speakers in the community.
Software Developer
While seemingly unrelated, a software developer might be interested in learning Persian for personal enrichment or to collaborate with international teams. This course may be useful as it offers a structured approach to learning Persian from scratch, covering the alphabet, basic grammar, and conversational skills. The course's focus on practical communication and cultural insights may be useful for building connections with Persian-speaking colleagues or users.

Featured in The Course Notes

This course is mentioned in our blog, The Course Notes. Read one article that features Learn Persian with Ziba: start speaking Farsi now:

Reading list

We've selected one books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Learn Persian with Ziba: start speaking Farsi now.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to the Persian language, covering grammar, vocabulary, and cultural insights. It useful reference for beginners and intermediate learners. The book offers practical exercises and dialogues to help you practice your language skills. It can be used as a supplementary resource to deepen your understanding of the course material.

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