Saturday 26 May 2012

Online Farsi Courses and Classes Overview

Many colleges and universities feature classes and degree programs in written and spoken Farsi, also known as Persian. While courses are not typically offered online, study in Farsi is often available as part of college summer language programs or self-guided learning classes.

Overview of Online Farsi Courses

Traditional college courses in Farsi can be found in associate's, bachelor's and master's degree programs in Persian studies. Students in these programs learn the Farsi language as well as the history, culture and politics of countries that speak the language, such as Iran and Afghanistan. These courses are not usually offered in online formats. However, some university language centers offer summer language programs or workshops in Farsi, as well as self-study programs in which students make use of school resources and interact with a native-speaking tutor in a more informal environment.

Course Requirements

Students seeking to begin in advanced Farsi courses may need to take a test to demonstrate competence in the language. Those taking part in self-study courses will need to maintain a portfolio which tracks the student's progress through the class.

List of Common Farsi Courses

Introductory Farsi Course

One of the first courses taken in a Farsi or Persian studies program, this is intended for students with little to no previous experience in the Farsi language. Coursework introduces the alphabet, grammar and basic sentence structure of Farsi in both written and spoken forms. Students learn proper pronunciation and memorize simple phrases and greetings. Early Farsi classes concentrate on building a vocabulary relating to common conversational topics such as directions, weather and family.

Advanced Farsi Course

Later Farsi courses further explore the language through multiple activities, including reading books and news reports, listening to native Farsi speakers and taking notes in Farsi. A variety of sources are used so that students can witness changes in tone, inflection and speaking style. Classwork may include a translation project.

Persian Culture Course

In addition to language courses, Persian studies programs include lessons in the media, literature, customs, society and culture of Persian countries. Cultural courses may broadly address all countries in which Farsi is spoken, or they may focus on individual countries such as Iran. These classes help students strengthen their understanding of Farsi by providing examples of native use of the language as well as exploring the cultural underpinnings which have informed the language. Advanced cultural courses may be taught entirely in Farsi.

Conversational Farsi Course

As students progress in understanding Farsi, they may take courses centering on speech and conversation. Students work with both the teacher and classroom partners in practicing clear communication and understanding grammatical context. The goal of this course is to improve speaking fluidity and broaden the student's vocabulary.

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