| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2024-09-16 | - |
| 2025-01-20 | - |
| 2025-04-28 | - |
Program Overview
Farsi Advanced
Overview
Our Farsi Advanced course is designed for individuals who have a solid knowledge of the Persian language and its grammar, and can communicate confidently and fluently in most situations. The course is divided into three parts, each building on the previous one.
Who is this class for?
This course is suitable for those who have studied Persian for around one year or 300 hours. If you have prior experience, you can skip Part One and proceed straight to joining Part Two or Three.
Course Structure
Teaching
Our Persian lessons follow a communicative approach to language teaching, focusing on the language you need to communicate in authentic situations with an emphasis on speaking and listening. Our evening classes are taught by experienced language teachers who are native speakers of the language or equivalent.
Learning Resources
Materials will be provided by your tutor, mostly coming from Persian printed and audiovisual media. For grammar backup, the following textbook will be used:
- COLLOQUIAL PERSIAN, 3rd edition [4th edition from 2024]
Other recommended literature:
- The Aryanpur Progressive English-Persian, Persian-English Dictionary, Comprehensive, by Manoochehr Aryanpur Kashani
- Among the Iranians: A Guide to Iran’s Culture and Customs, by Sofia Koutlaki
- Culture Shock! Iran, A Guide to Customs and Etiquette, by Maria O’Shea
Part One
Topics
- family life and social events
- narrating / describing events
- language of the social media
- sense of humour: sarcastic or serious
- raising/ defending an argument
- possible pitfalls in cross-cultural communication
Grammar
- conversational management (turn taking, holding the floor, eye contact …)
- expressions used in discussions and debates (agreeing/ disagreeing; humility/ arrogance markers)
- sequencing of main clauses and subordinate clauses; its influence on discourse
- paraphrasing
- style vs register
Part Two
Topics
- entertainment industries: music, cinema, theatre, TV series
- holidays inside and outside Iran
- Persian literature, poetry
- expressing opinions on social, cultural, political, religious matters
- possible pitfalls in cross-cultural communication (continued)
Grammar
- collocations in Persian
- intricacies of the colloquialisation process in Persian (assimilation, elision, ellipsis)
- phrasal verbs in Persian
- the Arabic element in Persian
- reported speech
- more on perfect subjunctive
Part Three
Topics
- telephone skills
- communication skills
- interviewing skills
- letter writing (personal; business)
- possible pitfalls in cross-cultural communication (continued)
Grammar
- habits in the past (I used to do this/ that …)
- focus on possessive endings used as object endings
- more on conditionals
- cohesion/ coherence markers in Persian
- complex structures in written texts
Discounts and Booking Deadlines
- We offer a 10% discount to our undergraduate and postgraduate students and alumni.
- The booking deadline is 10 days prior to the start date of each Part.
Fees
- Standard Fee per Part: £300 (online courses), £365 (on-campus courses)
Term Dates
- Online courses:
- Part 1: 16 September 2024 – 05 December 2024
- Part 2: 20 January 2025 – 10 April 2025
- Part 3: 28 April 2025 – 28 July 2025 (Monday courses), 22 April 2025 – 10 July 2025 (Tuesday - Thursday courses)
- On-campus courses:
- Part 1: 30 September 2024 – 05 December 2024
- Part 2: 20 January 2025 – 27 March 2025
- Part 3: 28 April 2025 – 14 July 2025 (Monday courses), 22 April 2025 – 26 June 2025 (Tuesday -Thursday courses)
Program Outline
Objectives:
The course aims to help students communicate confidently in Persian in most situations. It focuses on broadening vocabulary and improving listening, reading, and understanding skills. Students will also develop their speaking and writing abilities.
Outline:
The advanced course is made up of three parts: Part One, Part Two, and Part Three. Each part builds on what you've learnt previously.
Part One:
- Topics: Family life and social events, narrating/describing events, language of social media, sense of humor, raising/defending an argument, possible pitfalls in cross-cultural communication.
- Grammar: Conversational management, expressions used in discussions and debates, sequencing of main clauses and subordinate clauses, paraphrasing, style vs register.
Part Two:
- Topics: Entertainment industries, holidays inside and outside Iran, Persian literature and poetry, expressing opinions on social, cultural, political, and religious matters, possible pitfalls in cross-cultural communication (continued).
- Grammar: Collocations in Persian, intricacies of the colloquialisation process in Persian, phrasal verbs in Persian, the Arabic element in Persian, reported speech, more on perfect subjunctive.
Part Three:
- Topics: Telephone skills, communication skills, interviewing skills, letter writing (personal and business), possible pitfalls in cross-cultural communication (continued).
- Grammar: Habits in the past, focus on possessive endings used as object endings, more on conditionals, cohesion/coherence markers in Persian, complex structures in written texts.
Course Schedule:
- Online Courses - September Start:
- Part One: 18 September – 9 December 2023 (12 weeks)
- Part Two (Saturday Courses): 13 January – 6 April 2024 (12 weeks)
- Part Two (Monday Courses): 15 January – 8 April 2024 (12 weeks)
- Part Two (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday Courses): 16 January – 4 April 2024 (12 weeks)
- Part Three (Monday Courses): 22 April – 22 July 2024 (12 weeks)
- Part Three (Tuesday–Saturday Courses): 16 April – 6 July 2024 (12 weeks)
- On-campus Courses - October Start:
- Part 1: 2 October – 7 December 2023 (10 weeks)
- Part 2: 22 January – 28 March 2024 (10 weeks)
- Part 3 (Monday courses): 15 April – 01 July 2024 (10 weeks)
- Faculty: Experienced language teachers who are native speakers of the language or equivalent.
- Content Variations: There may be content variations at the discretion of the tutor.
Other:
- Learning Resources: Materials will be provided by the tutor, mostly coming from Persian printed and audiovisual media.
- Recommended Literature:
- Colloquial Persian, 3rd edition [4th edition from 2024]
- The Aryanpur Progressive English-Persian, Persian-English Dictionary, Comprehensive, by Manoochehr Aryanpur Kashani
- Among the Iranians: A Guide to Iran’s Culture and Customs, by Sofia Koutlaki
- Culture Shock! Iran, A Guide to Customs and Etiquette, by Maria O’Shea
- Presentation Requirement: All students will be expected to do a presentation on a topic of their choice and approved by the teacher.
University of Westminster
Overview:
University of Westminster is a public university located in London, England. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines. The university is known for its focus on practical learning and its strong connections to the industry.
Services Offered:
Student Life and Campus Experience:
The university has four campuses across London, providing students with a vibrant and diverse campus experience. Students have access to various facilities, including a cinema, gallery spaces, and sports facilities. The university also offers a range of student support services, including career guidance, academic support, and mental health services.
Key Reasons to Study There:
Location:
The university's location in London provides students with access to a wealth of cultural and professional opportunities.Practical Learning:
The university emphasizes practical learning, with many programs incorporating work placements and industry projects.Industry Connections:
The university has strong connections to industry, providing students with opportunities for networking and career development.Diverse Student Body:
The university has a diverse student body, creating a welcoming and inclusive environment.Academic Programs:
The university offers a wide range of academic programs, including:
Undergraduate courses:
A broad range of undergraduate courses in various disciplines, including business, design, creative industries, and liberal arts.Postgraduate courses:
A variety of postgraduate study options, including master's degrees, research degrees, and short courses.Other:
The university has a strong commitment to research and innovation, with a focus on areas such as sustainability, social justice, and digital technologies. It also has a dedicated alumni network, providing support and opportunities for graduates.
