Discover the Joy of Persian
Persian Language and Literature for All.

Expert-led courses and workshops in culture and conversation.

Mockup of Joy of Persian course materials on a tablet, phone, and downloadable guides, showcasing an interactive lesson on formal and spoken Persian.

The Joyful Path to Persian Mastery

Tired of methods that feel boring or ineffective? Our courses blend structure, depth, and fun—created by award-winning university instructors. Learn anywhere, at your own pace, and experience real progress while discovering the beauty of Persian language and culture.

Key Benefits of Learning with Us

A laptop displaying the Joy of Persian online learning platform, next to a Persian poetry book, rose petals, and a teacup on a wooden desk. This image represents a flexible, guided path for learning Persian at your own pace.


Your Path to Fluency

Whether you prefer to learn at your own pace with our structured courses or interact live in our workshops, we provide a clear, supportive path from your first word to confident conversation.

A detailed Persian miniature from a classic manuscript, symbolizing the authentic, story-rich cultural context that is at the heart of Joy of Persian's courses.


The Soul of the Language

Culture is at the heart of our teaching. From your first words to the poetry of Rumi, every lesson uses real-world context to help you truly connect, not just translate.

A close-up of an expert's hand gracefully writing Persian calligraphy with a traditional reed pen, symbolizing the academic mastery and authentic artistry behind Joy of Persian's courses.


Guidance from True Experts

Your learning is guided by award-winning literary experts and PhDs. Get feedback and insights you won’t find anywhere else, ensuring a deep and accurate understanding.

Find Your Perfect Way to Learn

Online Courses

Learn at Your Own Pace

Dive into our comprehensive, self-guided courses anytime, anywhere. Perfect for structured, flexible learning.

Learn Persian Online - Dive into our comprehensive, self-guided courses anytime, anywhere. Perfect for structured, flexible learning.
Persian language workshops - With Dr. Leila’s direct feedback and a supportive group of fellow learners, you’ll see tangible progress. Our model is designed for continuous improvement, helping you achieve your Persian language goals faster.

Live Workshops

Learn with a Community

Learn the lessons first. Then use the live workshop for active conversation and feedback with Dr. Leila.

Private Classes

Accelerate your learning with 1-on-1 classes tailored specifically to your goals and needs.

Lectures

Listen to in-depth audio lectures on classical Persian literature from renowned experts.

Featured Courses

Here are a few of our most loved courses in language and literature to help you begin.

 

Why Learners Choose Joy of Persian

We believe learning Persian should be a joyful and profound experience. Since 2015, Leila’s unique, culture-first approach has guided students from around the world on their learning journey. But don’t just take our word for it—hear directly from our community.

Perin

An Unmatched Partner for Academics

The fact that she actually has a PhD in the humanities makes her unmatched

I am able to talk to her as a colleague, as someone who understands difficult academic concepts… and is confident in helping me converse at that level.

Emma

Bringing Classical Texts to Life

Reading classical Persian literature with her has made the texts come alive

I have a real feeling for the deeper meanings and symbolisms, as well as the literary and historical context. I could not recommend her more highly!

Boris

Passion That Inspires from Day One

I’m still as encouraged as I was during my very first lesson when Leila introduced the Persian alphabet to me! …

Leila’s true passion for teaching… makes our lessons even more interesting and engaging.

Daisy

Incredible Growth in Every Skill

I have grown a LOT in my Persian speaking, writing, and reading abilities since I first started…

Leila is kind, patient, generous, flexible, and very professional. She also has a vast and thorough understanding of Persian literature.

Gemma

Mastering Conversational Flow

She is able to give very useful and detailed feedback and corrections without ever interrupting the flow of the conversation. Both my speaking and writing have improved leaps and bounds since studying with Leila.

A majestic, ornate Huma mascot avatar adorned with Persian art patterns, representing a Joy of Persian student testimonial at the C2 and Persian Literature level.

Mikuru

Full-Fledged Literary Knowledge

She teaches with full-fledged literary knowledge, from classical poetry such as Saadi and Rumi to contemporary novels.

Upcoming Live Persian Workshops:

Ready to immerse yourself? Explore our upcoming online Persian workshops, each built upon our acclaimed asynchronous courses. Secure your spot in these small-group, expert-led sessions and start your live learning journey.

Let’s Learn Persian Toghether (A1): The Ultimate Beginner's Course

Your First Steps to Fluency

Perfect for newcomers, this interactive workshop provides a solid foundation in conversational Farsi. Build essential vocabulary, master basic grammar, and gain confidence speaking from day one. This is the ideal starting point for absolute beginners in a live Persian class.

Key Features: 🔮 Live via Zoom đŸŽ„ Recorded Sessions đŸ‘„ Small Group Expert-led đŸŒ± Beginner-Friendly Conversational Focus

Based On: Let’s Learn Persian! A1 Course

Price: €400 €320

16 Sessions, Saturdays & Tuesdays

Jan 4, 2026 – Feb 25, 2026

8:00 PM PT (Los Angeles, UTC-8)

▶Start conversational Farsi with confidence❗

Let’s Learn Persian! (A2): The Fun and Effective Way

Elevate Your Everyday Farsi

Building on A1, this workshop deepens your understanding of Persian grammar and expands your conversational abilities. It’s ideal for those ready to move beyond the basics and engage in more complex discussions, making it a great option for group Farsi lessons.

Key Features: 🔮 Live via Zoom đŸŽ„ Recorded Sessions đŸ‘„ Small Group Expert-led Enhanced Conversation

Based On: Let’s Learn Persian! A2 Course

Price: €400 €320

16 Sessions, Sundays & Wednesdays

Jan 5, 2026 – Feb 26, 2026

8:00 PM PT (Los Angeles, UTC-8)

🚀 Build fluent grammar and local chats

Golestan of Sa’di (1): Master Persian Prose

A Journey into a Persian Literary Masterpiece

Perfect for newcomers, this interactive workshop provides a solid foundation in conversational Farsi. Build essential vocabulary, master basic grammar, and gain confidence speaking from day one. This is the ideal starting point for absolute beginners in a live Persian class.

Key Features: 🔮 Live via Zoom đŸŽ„ Recorded Sessions đŸ‘„ Small Group Expert-led 🎓 Advanced Persian Literary Focus

Based On: Golestan of Sa’di (1): Master Persian Prose

Price: €400 €320

8 Sessions, Fridays

Jan 1, 2026 – Feb 20, 2026

8:00 PM PT (Los Angeles, UTC-8)

Dive into poetry—6 spots only❗

Your Questions, Answered

Do I need any prior knowledge of Persian to enroll in the core courses?
Not necessarily — but it depends on which course you’re starting. At Joy of Persian, we guide you step by step through the script in a way that feels natural, intuitive, and motivating — even if you’ve never seen Persian letters before.

🧭 For Complete Beginners

If you’re new to the Persian script, begin with our free introductory mini-course:
CourseDescriptionDuration
Effortless Persian: Learn Persian with RumiA short preparatory course that teaches you the Persian alphabet through poetry, audio, and visual association.2–3 weeks (self-paced)
This course introduces each letter in meaningful context — with native pronunciation, poetic examples, and interactive flashcards. By the end, you’ll be able to recognize and read the entire Persian script and start your A1 course with full confidence.

đŸ§© For Core Language Courses (A1–B1)

CourseAlphabet Knowledge Required?
Let’s Learn Persian! (A1)✅ Recommended — Focuses on communication and comprehension, not writing.
A2 – Let’s Learn Persian! (A2)✅ Required — Builds on full reading fluency developed in A1.
Let’s Learn Persian! (B1-1)✅ Required — Expands your writing and reading fluency; full script competence expected.
We don’t use transliteration (Finglish) in any of our courses — a deliberate pedagogical choice. While transliteration feels convenient at first, it becomes a “crutch” that blocks long-term fluency. Our approach helps your brain connect directly to the shape and sound of real Persian words — the way native speakers do.

🌾 Why This Matters

Learning the Persian alphabet early unlocks the beauty of the language. When you can read ŰźÙˆŰ±ŰŽÛŒŰŻ instead of “khorshid,” you don’t just see letters — you feel the rhythm, the poetry, and the emotion behind the word.
✅ Summary: You don’t need to know Persian script to begin — we’ll teach it to you through meaning, music, and memory. Once you finish Effortless Persian with Rumi, you’ll read naturally and be ready to start Let’s Learn Persian! (A1) — without transliteration and without fear.
What if I already know some Persian — is this course (A1 – A2 – B1) right for me?

If you have prior knowledge of Persian, start with our free Placement Test to find the course that best matches your level. For a more personalized assessment, you can also book a private consultation with Dr. Leila Seyedghasem, who will help tailor your learning path to your goals and current skills.

Is there a free trial or introductory period available?

Yes! The first lesson of each course is a live demo, no signup required. It’s a great way to experience our teaching style and see how effective our courses are before committing.

The free trial lesson looks incredible! How can I be sure the other lessons are just as good?

We’re so glad you enjoyed the free trial! Every core lesson in this course is built on the “Fārsi bīyāmuzīm!” textbook and crafted using a consistent, meticulous design process by our expert instructional designer — ensuring the same high quality and learning experience throughout.

Still curious? We’d be happy to unlock two more lessons for you to preview. Just fill out the short form below, and we’ll set up your free mini-course right away.

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    What textbook are your core courses based on?

    Our core Persian courses are based on the acclaimed five-volume textbook series, “Fārsi bÄ«yāmuzÄ«m!” (Let’s Learn Persian!), authored by distinguished professors from Tarbiat Modarres University, the University of Cambridge, and the University of Tehran. The course’s methodology emphasizes:

    1. Balanced Skills: Equal attention to listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
    2. Modern Approaches: Utilizes cognitive, communicative, and active learning methods.
    3. Dual Language Forms: Teaches both spoken and written Persian side-by-side.
    4. Practical Application: Covers about 60 real-life conversational situations throughout the A1 and B2 level courses.
    5. Cultural Immersion: Integrates lessons on Iranian culture, art, literature, and history.
    How did you transform the reference book into an interactive online course?

    To adapt the “Fārsi bÄ«yāmuzÄ«m!” textbook for an optimal online, self-study experience, we enhanced its content with several key features:

    1. Interactive Exercises: Book exercises that required typing were converted into user-friendly online formats like drag-and-drop, word matching, and self-check quizzes (using accordions). This makes them accessible for students without a Farsi keyboard.
    2. Enhanced Audio System: We completely reworked the book’s audio. We organized the files by exercise, separated them into distinct written (formal) and spoken (colloquial) tracks, and color-coded them for clarity, a feature not available with the original book.
    3. Support for Self-Learners: To aid independent study, we’ve added learning objectives for each lesson, English translations for instructions and dialogues, targeted grammar explanations to supplement the book’s discovery-based method, and self-check answers for open-ended questions, hidden in collapsible sections.
    4. Multimedia Enrichment: We created multi-sensory vocabulary lists with audio, images, and translations. We also added new, web-based exercises like image hotspots that are not possible in a physical book.
    5. Adaptation of Content: Group exercises designed for a classroom setting were modified to be effective for individual learners.
    Do I need to know how to type in Persian to complete the course exercises?

    No, you don’t need to know Persian typing for our current exercises — they’re designed for beginners. Typing isn’t required yet, but we may add optional activities later to help you learn it.

    Do you offer any discounts for group registration?

    Absolutely! We offer a flat 15% group discount on all our courses and workshops — perfect for partners, families, classmates, or colleagues learning Persian together.

    To enjoy this discount, simply use code GP15 at checkout.

    We believe learning a new language is more fun and rewarding when shared with loved ones. Let us know how we can help your group embark on this exciting journey together!

    If you’re representing an entire classroom, institution, or organization and would like to discuss an ongoing collaboration, please contact us directly for a personalized arrangement.

    How many hours does it take to complete a course? Is it enough to reach the CEFR level?

    The time to complete a course varies, as our curriculum is designed for two complementary goals: foundational language mastery and rich cultural exploration.

    🧭 For Core Language Courses (Let’s Learn Persian! A1, A2, B1-1, etc.)

    Yes — these courses are carefully structured to provide everything needed to achieve the corresponding CEFR proficiency level, through what we call Active Learning Hours.

    CourseActive Learning Hours (Note)Equivalent Classroom ScopeCEFR Level
    Let’s Learn Persian! (A1)~20 hours of focused studyEquivalent to a 90–100-hour traditional classroom courseA1
    Let’s Learn Persian! (A2)~30 hours of focused studyEquivalent to a 150–180-hour traditional classroom courseA2
    Let’s Learn Persian! (B1-1)~30 hours of focused studyEquivalent to a 200–250-hour traditional classroom courseB1 (Part 1)

    Note: All time estimates are based on focused, interactive study in our courses and assume consistent effort. Actual time to reach CEFR levels can vary widely depending on prior experience (e.g., familiarity with similar scripts or languages), daily practice habits, and exposure to Persian outside the course. We recommend supplementing with real-world conversation for best results.

    Each “hour” in our courses represents true engagement — reading, listening, and practicing interactively — not the passive classroom time spent waiting, commuting, or reviewing instructions.
    Think of it as a concentrated, high-impact experience, where every minute counts.

    Because lessons are self-paced and repeatable, you can progress faster while maintaining long-term retention and confidence. Every activity is intentionally designed to maximize your exposure and strengthen real communication skills.


    📚 For “Beyond the Core” & Literature Courses

    These courses serve a different purpose. They use Content-Based Learning (CBL) — helping you apply your Persian to explore culture, history, and literature.

    CategoryExample CoursesApprox. Core HoursFocus
    Beyond the CoreDamavand: City, Mountain, and Myths15+ hoursCultural immersion & applied Persian
    Persian LiteratureGolestan of SaÊżdi, Rubaiyat of Khayyam, The Little Black Fish15–25+ hoursDeep reading & vocabulary expansion

    In these, your learning time depends on curiosity — many students spend far more than the core hours, diving into poetry, philosophy, and cultural context.


    ✅ Summary:
    Our Active Hour model removes filler, focuses on interaction, and leverages multimedia tools unavailable in traditional classrooms.
    While the total hours may look shorter, the depth of engagement per minute is significantly higher — a distinction supported by current language-learning research.

    With so many apps, podcasts, and videos available, how can I know if this course is right for me?

    That’s an excellent question. The flood of free resources can be overwhelming, and while tools like YouTube, apps, and podcasts are fantastic supplements, they often provide a fragmented learning experience. You might learn a word here and a grammar rule there, but it’s very difficult to build a solid, comprehensive foundation.

    The “right choice” depends on your learning goals. Our courses are designed to solve the exact problem of fragmentation. Here’s how Joy of Persian is different:

    1. A Structured, Academic Path: Instead of random videos, our courses (like Let’s Learn Persian! A1 & A2) provide a structured, step-by-step curriculum.This is a complete learning experience designed for deep comprehension, vocabulary acquisition, and practical exercises—a clear path from one level to the next.
    2. Unmatched Expertise: Our courses are developed by Dr. Leila Seyedghasem, our co-founder with over 9+ years of online university teaching experience. She is a recipient of prestigious honors, including the Jalal Al-e Ahmad Literary Award and Iran’s Book of the Year Award. You aren’t learning from a hobbyist; you are learning from a distinguished, professional educator who has taught at the university level.
    3. Authentic Audio (Dual-Audio, Never AI): Immerse yourself in real Persian from day one with professionally recorded native voices—never AI. Our unique dual-audio system lets you practice both đŸ””Formal Persian (news, speeches) and 🔮Spoken Persian (everyday talk) side by side, helping you master natural pronunciation and listening skills.
    4. A Feature for Every Step of Your Journey: Our platform is built on proven instructional design principles to give you the right tools at the right time. As you progress, you unlock new features specific to your learning stage:
        • Tier 1: Core Experience: All courses are built on a core foundation of expert-led curriculum, authentic human audio, interactive exercises (based on text, audio, and quizzes), and flexible self-paced learning, backed by a free preview and a 14-day money-back guarantee.
        • Tier 2: Foundation Essentials: Our foundational language courses (A1-B1) add essential tools, including a clear roadmap and our unique side-by-side audio tracks to help you master both Formal and Spoken Persian.
        • Tier 3: Advanced Study Tools: Advanced literature and thematic courses unlock powerful academic tools, such as synchronized audio & text, in-depth reading guides with built-in definitions, and rich visual/historical archives.

      For more details see: here.

    5. Beyond Language—Into Literature: Most apps stop at basic vocabulary. We are one of the few platforms that take you from learning the language to truly appreciating the culture. We offer in-depth courses on literary masterpieces like Sa’di’s Golestan and the Rubaiyat of Khayyam, taught with the same academic rigor.
    6. A Clear Path to Mastery: We offer different ways to learn based on your needs:
      • Async Courses: Perfect for self-paced, structured learning.
      • Live Workshops: For those who want to combine the async course material with live, interactive “flipped classroom” sessions led directly by Dr. Seyedghasem.
      • 1-on-1 Classes: For a fully personalized, guided experience.

    This course is the right choice for you if:

    • You feel overwhelmed by scattered resources and crave a clear, structured, A-to-Z learning program.
    • You value learning from a highly qualified, award-winning university instructor.
    • Your goal isn’t just to “learn some Farsi” but to build a deep, lasting connection with Persian language, culture, and classical literature.
    • You want a complete system of lessons, exercises, and comprehension tasks, not just isolated videos.

    We invite you to explore our free demos (No Signup Required) to get a feel for our teaching style. We believe you’ll immediately see the depth and quality that set our formal courses apart.

    Do your courses include transliteration (Finglish)?

    No, our courses do not include transliteration (or “Finglish”). This is a deliberate pedagogical choice we’ve made to ensure our students’ long-term success.

    While it can feel like a helpful safety net at first, transliteration quickly becomes a “crutch” that actively prevents fluency. It trains your brain to look for English letters instead of engaging with the beautiful Persian script. This means you’ll always struggle to read anything in the real world, from a simple menu to a book of poetry.

    We are confident you don’t need that crutch.

    Our entire method is designed to make learning the Persian script itself fast, intuitive, and enjoyable. Features like our Multi-Sensory Flashcards are built to connect the sound of the word (from native speakers) directly to the shape of the Persian text. This builds a strong, direct foundation for true reading from day one.

    Screenshot of an interactive vocabulary list from the Joy of Persian A2 course, showing Persian words with their English translations and clickable audio icons for pronunciation.
    Example of a multi-sensory vocabulary list in the Joy of Persian course, helping students to review and learn new Persian words effectively.

    We believe the best way to learn Persian is to learn Persian. If you’re new to the script, our Effortless Persian: Learn Persian with Rumi is the perfect starting point and is designed to get you reading confidently in a very short time.

    Do you have a gamified app like Duolingo?

    While we don’t have a gamified app like Duolingo (which, by the way, doesn’t currently offer Persian), Joy of Persian focuses on a deep, structured, and joyful learning experience that’s just as engaging—without relying on game mechanics.

    Our core courses, such as Let’s Learn Persian! (A1), offer a university-level curriculum presented in an intuitive, interactive format. You’ll explore over 140 interactive exercises—including drag-and-drop matching, word search puzzles, and instant-feedback quizzes—that make learning feel fun and rewarding.

    To help you build vocabulary naturally, you’ll also get over 160 interactive flashcards featuring Persian text, native audio, and English translation—designed to engage your eyes, ears, and memory all at once.

    With dual audio tracks for formal and spoken Persian, clear progress tracking, and cultural immersion woven into each lesson, our platform makes learning both meaningful and motivating.

    It’s perfect for beginners. You can even try the first lesson for free, no signup required.

    📖 Read more: Will Duolingo finally add Persian? The definitive answer 2025 and the best alternatives

    Still more questions?

    See our 🛟Help Center

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