Overview

Welcome to our Persian Literature courses at Joy of Persian! Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Persian storytelling, poetry, and prose.

Persian literature, the “jewel in the crown of Persian culture” as renowned scholar Ehsan Yarshater termed it, has for centuries served as a beacon of artistic expression and cultural influence throughout the Eastern Islamic world, inspiring literary figures like Goethe, Emerson, and Borges. Despite its profound impact, Yarshater laments, “Persian literature has largely remained the exclusive domain of specialists.” (A History of Persian Literature)

Our courses are designed for non-Persian speakers, allowing you to explore the rich cultural heritage and literary traditions of Iran. Whether you’re drawn by personal connections, academic interests, or a love for literature, our engaging online courses will deepen your understanding and appreciation of Persian literature.

  • Deeper Language Understanding: Persian literature exposes you to the nuances and beauty of the Persian language, enriching your vocabulary and comprehension beyond everyday conversation.
  • Cultural Immersion: Journey through time, experiencing historical and social contexts that shaped Persian language and culture.
  • Connect with renowned Persian poets: Engage with the works of Saadi, Omar Khayyam, Rumi, and Hafez, experiencing their timeless wisdom and lyrical brilliance.
  • Aesthetic Appreciation: Persian literature is renowned for its lyrical beauty and profound themes. Immersing yourself in these masterpieces fosters an appreciation for the language’s artistic potential and the power of storytelling.

For this very reason, we at Joy of Persian present our Persian Literature Courses. We’ve meticulously crafted these courses to guide you on a captivating journey, using classical and modern Persian poetry and prose to teach you the language and unveil the wonders of Persian literature.

Course Developers

At Joy of Persian, our courses are designed and delivered by seasoned instructors who bring a wealth of knowledge and passion for Persian literature to each lesson. With backgrounds in academia and years of experience teaching, our instructors guide you through the nuances and depth of the texts, ensuring a rich and engaging learning experience. They are dedicated to making the beauty and significance of Persian literature accessible to all learners, helping you develop a profound appreciation for this timeless art form.

Features that turbocharge your learning

Authentic Voice

Experience the true essence of the literary text with recordings delivered by distinguished experts who command a deep understanding of Persian language and literature.
As classic Persian literary works are characterized by their exquisite language and intricate poetic structures, precise pronunciation is essential for a profound appreciation.

Persian literature made easy by Joy of Persian - Effortless Listening - Synchronized Audio & Text

Synchronized Audio & Text

Hear the lyrical beauty of Persian spoken at a comfortable pace, synced with the corresponding text for clear comprehension.

Persian literature made easy by Joy of Persian - Effortless Listening - Synchronized Audio & Text

Annotations

The literary text is sliced into digestible “bite-sized lessons” and then diced further into sections for laser-focused analysis. Within each section, crucial new words are highlighted and their meanings conveniently provided right beside the text, saving you the extra hassle of searching or cross-referencing.

Persian literature made easy by Joy of Persian - Annotations

Masterful Translations

Unlock the deeper meaning of each piece with meticulously crafted translations that capture the essence of the original.

Persian literature made easy by Joy of Persian - Translation of Golestan Saadi

Interactive Practices

Hone your newfound skills with engaging activities that reinforce learning and make understanding fun.

Persian literature made easy by Joy of Persian - Interactive Practices

Enhanced Vocabulary Bank

Search and filter. Find what you need without endless scrolling.
Master core vocabulary with ease. Our word lists are ranked by usage frequency, so you can focus on the most important words first.

Persian literature made easy by Joy of Persian - Enhanced Vocabulary Bank

Printables

Our printable workbooks offer off-screen course review, letting you progress at your own pace.

Persian literature made easy by Joy of Persian - Printables

Current Courses

Immerse Yourself in the World of Persian Poetry and Prose

Coming Soon!

Selections from Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam (1): Discover the beauty of Omar Khayyam’s poetry in this upcoming course.

Selections from the Masnavi of Rumi (1): Unveiling Rumi’s Mystical Teachings in the Masnavi

Three Drops of Blood: Learn Persian via this highly acclaimed short story by Sadeq Hedayat.

Selections from Persian Literature (1): Love, Mysticism, and Life: The first course in “Persian Literature for Beginners” series.

Testimonials: Student voices

Mikuru

She is a very good teacher! I learned basic Persian in college, but I continue to study Iranian literature with her. She teaches with full-fledged literary knowledge, from classical poetry such as Saadi and Rumi to contemporary novels.

Emka

Leila is amazing. Reading with her, I finally feel like I am getting to a place of more deeply understanding and engaging with classical Persian literature, after years of studying the language elsewhere. She always takes the time to work through anything I don’t understand, and explains the larger context behind our readings. I can’t recommend her enough.

Brian

Leila is very good at explaining Classical Persian literature and how it differs from Modern Persian. She helped bring out the humor and wit in Saadi’s Gulistan, at the same time as helping my speaking and understanding of modern Persian by rephrasing and translating the expressions in the text into modern Persian.

Anonymous university professor in USA

Leila is fantastic: professional, warm, extremely knowledgeable. This initial session was primarily devoted to discussing our learning program (focused on Persian literature, which is Leila’s specialty), but she also offered me an enlightening introduction to Persian poetry. I look forward to future lessons. * This testimonial is from a university professor in the USA who requested anonymity. We value our participants’ privacy and respect their choices.

FAQs

1. Do I need any prior knowledge of Persian to enroll?

Our courses cater to a range of learners. Most courses are designed for intermediate and advanced students who can benefit from the deeper analysis of the literature. However, we also offer the “Persian Literature for Beginners” series specifically designed for those with no prior knowledge of the Persian language. This series provides a foundation in understanding and appreciating Persian literature in translation. We recommend checking the course descriptions for specific prerequisites.

2. Do I need to know how to type in Persian (on Macbook, desktop, or mobile) to complete the course exercises?

Currently, no, you don’t need to know how to type in Persian to do the exercises in our course. We understand that not everyone starting their Persian journey knows how to type in the script.

However, we highly recommend learning to type in Persian during your studies. Why?

  • Unlocks authentic materials: Typing opens doors to a vast world of resources – news, videos, social media interactions, and online forums – all in Persian!
  • Connects you with fellow learners: Join our community on Whatsapp, Telegram, or dedicated forums, where communication primarily happens through typed messages.
  • Enhances fluency and speed: Typing in Persian builds muscle memory and speeds up your overall learning process.

While we currently avoid exercises requiring Persian typing, we may consider adding optional practices like flashcards and fill-in-the-blanks in the future to encourage this valuable skill.

Remember, learning to type in Persian is an investment in your language mastery, opening doors to richer learning experiences and deeper connections with the language and its community.

3. Can I learn and complete all tasks using just my phone for this Persian language course?

Yes, our course is mobile-friendly and designed to be accessible on most smartphones and tablets. However, there are a few things to keep in mind:

  • Most exercises and content are fully compatible with mobile devices. However, in rare cases (less than 5%), some interactive elements or complex exercises might benefit from a larger screen for optimal performance and learning experience.
  • For a richer and more comfortable learning experience, we recommend using a computer or tablet whenever possible, especially for activities involving extensive reading, writing, or intricate exercises.

Ultimately, the choice is yours! We strive to offer flexibility and accessibility, so learn on the go with your phone or maximize your learning comfort with a larger screen at your own preference.

4. Is there a free trial or introductory period available?

Absolutely! We understand it’s helpful to try before you buy. Each Persian literature course includes a demo lesson or sample content that allows you to experience the course format, instructor’s style, and get a taste of the material before enrolling.

This is a great way to experience the quality and effectiveness of our courses before making a decision. If you enjoy these demos, you’ll love diving deeper with the full course!

Bonus Tip: Check out our website or social media pages for any promotional offers or discounts we might be running on our paid courses. We regularly offer special deals to help make language learning more accessible.

5. How long does the course take to complete?

We understand everyone learns differently, so we don’t impose a rigid schedule. While each lesson is designed for a comfortable week of learning, you have the flexibility to adjust the pace to your unique needs and learning style.

Personalized Learning Path:

  • Go at Your Own Speed: Whether you need more time to absorb the material or prefer a faster pace, the choice is yours.
  • Stress-Free Learning: Don’t worry about deadlines! To support your learning journey, you’ll have access to the course for 1 year, allowing you to revisit lessons, practice at your own pace, and solidify your knowledge.
  • Weekly Lesson Unlocks: New lessons unlock each week, promoting consistent progress and preventing overwhelm.

Remember, the Persian proverb says: آهسته رو، پیوسته رو (Slow and steady wins the race).

Focus on quality learning over speed, and you’ll build a strong foundation for your Farsi journey.

6. Does the course offer live sessions or one-on-one tutoring?

While the course is designed for self-paced learning, we offer additional options for interactive practice:

1. Online Classes (1-on-1 Tutoring):

  • Personalized learning: Get tailored guidance and feedback from a dedicated tutor focused on your specific needs and pace.
  • Flexible schedule: Design a learning plan that fits your life, ensuring maximum progress.
  • Available for purchase: Upgrade your experience with 1-on-1 tutoring as an add-on to the online course.

2. Online Workshops (Group Classes):

  • Boost your learning: Enjoy guided practice in live, interactive sessions with experienced instructors via Zoom.
  • Speak & write with confidence: Practice conversational and written skills in a supportive group environment.
  • Deepen your understanding: Engage in discussions and activities to solidify key concepts.
  • Free with enrollment: Access related courses at no additional cost when you enroll in the workshop.

Remember, you can always combine both for a well-rounded learning experience!

7. What payment methods do you accept?

Currently, we only accept direct bank transfers. However, we understand this might not be convenient for everyone. We are actively working on integrating with iyzico, a well-known Turkish payment gateway provider, which will allow you to pay using Visa and Mastercard cards in the near future.

8. Do you offer any discounts for group registration?

Absolutely! We offer group discounts to encourage language learning journeys together. Here’s the breakdown:

  • Groups of 2-4: Enjoy a 15% discount on the total course fee.
  • Groups of 5-7: Save 20% on the total course fee.
  • Larger groups: For entire classrooms or organizations, please contact us directly for a personalized quote and discuss tailored learning solutions.

Ready to register your group? It’s easy! Simply contact us at admissions @ joyofpersian.com and let us know:

  • The size of your group
  • Your preferred course and level
  • Your desired start date

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!

9. What is your refund policy?

Peace of Mind with Joy of Persian:

We understand that plans change, and we want you to feel confident when choosing to learn with us. That’s why we offer a 14-day satisfaction guarantee on all online course registrations. This means you can change your mind and receive a full refund (minus a small processing fee) within 14 days of purchase, no questions asked. This cancellation won’t affect your ability to take other courses with us in the future.

Ready to Cancel?

It’s easy! Just let us know within 14 days of your purchase. Here’s how:

Send an email to admissions @ joyofpersian.com with the subject line “Course Registration Cancellation”. Be sure to include your full name and the name of the course you wish to cancel.

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