As we welcome another year, we at Joy of Persian extend our warmest wishes for a joyful and prosperous Nowruz! The arrival of spring brings renewal, and this year, we are embracing that spirit by refocusing our energy on reaching more learners and sharing the beauty of the Persian language and literature with the world.
To mark this special occasion, we’re offering incredible 40% discount on all our online courses and workshops for two weeks (usning “NOWRUZ04” coupon code). Don’t miss this unique opportunity to embark on your Persian learning adventure!
Reflecting on 1403: Growth & Challenges
Last year was a journey of learning, adapting, and creating. While we made significant progress in developing new courses, we faced challenges in reaching students and growing our community. Here’s what we accomplished:
New Courses Launched:
- Let’s Learn Persian! (A1 & A2) for Turkish speakers – A specialized course designed for Turkish learners.
- Damavand (Reading Persian Texts) – A deep dive into Persian texts through the theme of Mount Damavand.
- Deserts of Iran (Reading Persian Texts) – Exploring Persian culture and language through Iran’s stunning desert landscapes.
- Mosques of Iran (Reading Persian Texts) – A cultural and linguistic journey through Persian architectural marvels.
- Saadi (Reading Persian Texts) – Understanding Persian through the works of the great poet Saadi.
- Selections from the Masnavi of Rumi (1) – Discovering the wisdom of Rumi through selected stories.
- Selections from the History of Beyhaqi (1) – Learning Persian through historical narratives.
- Selections from the Rubaiyat of Khayyam (1) – Engaging with the timeless poetry of Omar Khayyam.
Despite these accomplishments, we faced significant difficulties in selling our courses, which has made us rethink our strategy. We have realized that creating exceptional courses is just one part of the journey—we must now focus on connecting with learners and sharing our work more effectively.
Looking Ahead: Plans for 1404
This year, our priority is not just course creation but ensuring that learners around the world discover and benefit from our offerings. Our plans include:
Marketing & Outreach:
Last year, we focused on universities by sending cold emails to university professors, encouraging them to offer our courses and workshops to their students. Unfortunately, this approach did not yield results. This year, we are shifting our focus to Iranian 2nd and 3rd generation migrants and non-Iranians with Iranian partners. We believe that this audience has a deep emotional and cultural connection to Persian and is more likely to engage with our courses.
We also aim to expand our presence through digital marketing, social media, and collaborations with Persian language and culture communities. Engaging with learners through free resources, webinars, and events will be a key part of our strategy.
New & Revived Courses:
- Learning Persian Through Iranian Movies – A fun and immersive way to improve Persian comprehension.
- Persian Alphabet – A foundational course for absolute beginners.
- Let’s Learn Persian! (B1) – Continuing the journey to intermediate Persian (pending audio materials).
- Three Drops of Blood – Learn Persian via this highly acclaimed short story by Sadeq Hedayat.
Sustainability & Financial Realities
Living in Istanbul is costly, and to financially support my family, I took on website design projects for companies in the UAE, Iran, and Turkey last year. While I would prefer to dedicate all my efforts to Joy of Persian, the lack of income from selling courses and workshops has forced me to continue freelancing. If the situation does not improve, I may need to take on full-time work, which would inevitably impact Joy of Persian’s operations. Unlike institutions such as Saadi Foundation, Al-Mustafa International University, and Dehkhoda Institute, we are an independent initiative and receive no sponsorship from any Iranian government organization, directly or indirectly.
A Call for Support
To all our students, friends, and Persian language enthusiasts—we need your help. If you have enjoyed our courses, found value in our content, or believe in our mission, please spread the word! Recommend Joy of Persian to anyone interested in learning Persian. Your support allows us to continue developing high-quality resources and keeping Persian language and literature accessible to all.
Additionally, we have launched a Buy Me a Coffee page for donations and memberships. While we deeply appreciate the support from a friend who donated 5 Euros, we hope to reach a wider audience that believes in sustaining our work. Every contribution, no matter how small, helps keep Joy of Persian alive.
This Nowruz, let’s step forward together. Whether you are just beginning your Persian learning journey or deepening your understanding, we are here to guide you. Join us in making 1404 a year of growth, connection, and success!
Happy Nowruz 1404! 🌸
The Joy of Persian Team 🎉