- Online
- $445
This beginner-level course is appropriate for learners with limited or no prior knowledge of Farsi. It introduces you to the essentials of the Farsi writing and sound systems, common everyday vocabulary, useful day-to-day expressions and the foundational grammatical and cultural knowledge necessary for holding simple conversations.
Build your vocabulary as you navigate realistic dialogues and learn about the importance of cultural nuances and contexts of varying formality. Explore Farsi’s 32-character writing system and learn to read and pronounce simple words with everyday applications.
Come away from the course with an ability to read and write these simple words and hold basic conversations about everyday activities.
Course outline
Exact course outlines are determined by the instructor to best meet the needs of the class. This outline is an example only.
- Greetings and introductions
- Salaam, how are you?, I am...
- Common greetings and expressions
- Farsi alphabet and writing system
- 32 letters of the Persian alphabet; discussion of shape and form
- Isolated, initial, medial and final forms
- Identifying, reading and writing simple words
- Asking and answering basic questions
- What / who / whose / where / how
- Practice forming and answering questions
- Numbers and time
- Asking for and giving phone numbers
- Asking and telling time
- Discussing the time of day
- Daily routines
- Common verbs
- Daily activities
Expected effort
You can expect to spend about three hours per week attending live, virtual classes and completing course work on your own time.
Textbook
This course requires the purchase of the textbook Farsi for Beginners (2020). Students can purchase a hardcopy version of the textbook from the UBC Bookstore.
Course format
This course is offered online.
Our online conversational courses offer a virtual classroom experience where you can see and interact with your teacher and classmates over Zoom. Log in at a set time to participate in individual, pair and group work, ask questions and receive feedback from your instructor.
Outside of class time, access course materials online at your own pace for up to three weeks after the course ends.
Learn more about online learning at UBC Extended Learning.
How am I assessed?
This is a non-credit course without letter or numerical grades. You receive verbal feedback on your conversation and grammar skills from your instructor during class. Written homework is typically corrected in class. Some lesson modules may include quizzes.
Record of completion
A record of completion will be emailed to students who participate and satisfy the course requirements within two weeks of the course end date. Course completion means 80% attendance and/or 80% completion of mandatory assignments.
Technology requirements
For all languages classes, you’ll need access to the internet, a personal email account and an up-to-date web browser.
For online classes, you will also need a video camera and a microphone on your device.
The day before your course starts, you will receive an email with instructions on how to access the course.