Persian at Western University

Our Department of Languages and Cultures at Western University offers Persian 1030 and 1035. In both courses you will acquire Persian language skills such as speaking, listening, reading and writing in Persian, at the introductory level, while learning about the culture.

Persian 1030: This course is for students with no background in Persian.

Persian 1035: This course is for students with some background in Persian (heritage speakers). The online practice/assignments, quizzes, compositions and tests as well as the expectation for the level of participation may differ for Persian 1035 in length and complexity. Students are enrolled on the basis of consultation with Professor Yasaman Rafat (yrafat@uwo.ca).

Anti-requisite for Persian 1030/1035: Grade 12U Persian

This course is not open to native speakers of Persian. Students with Grade 12U Persian and/or the equivalent are not allowed in this course either.

Visual Syllabus

Meet Professor Yasaman Rafat

Visit her website: https://yasamanrafat.com/

I am an Associate Professor in the Department of Languages & Cultures. I am also affiliated with the Brain & Mind Institute , Western Institute for Neuroscience , Linguistics program , and Migration and Ethnic Relations . I completed my undergraduate degree in Italian and Spanish, my MA in Hispanic Linguistics, and my PhD in Hispanic Linguistics (2011) at the University of Toronto. I have been working at Western University ever since. I have knowledge of Spanish, English, Farsi, Italian and Serbian.

Teaching Assistants

  • Zeinab Karimi

    I am a PhD candidate in Comparative Literature at Western University, currently in my second year as a teaching assistant for the Persian course. I also have experience teaching Persian to school-aged heritage speakers and have knowledge of Persian, English, Arabic, and some French.

  • Mohammadreza Youssefi Ssarraf

    I am a second-year PhD student in Comparative Literature at Western. I completed my undergraduate degree in English with a minor in Persian. I obtained my MA in English Language and Literature.