Testimonial by Sulayman Ha

Hands down this has been the best online language learning experience I’ve had so far. I have tried multiple such classes before — in both Arabic and Persian. Lack of structure and consistency in pedagogy has always been the main obstacle that hinders improvement, so when I first decided to sign up for Aspirantum, my expectation was low. I was positively and pleasantly surprised by how intense the course was despite being online. Granted that being in Armenia and speaking to Iranian expats and exploring the fantastic city of Yerevan would have created quite different experiences, moving online has its own advantages, too: you have a wider range of people — especially professionals with a fulltime job — take the class, thus the classroom environment is livelier, more open, more accessible to students of all levels and backgrounds. This is essential since each student may differ in their knowledge of Persian and feel intimated when the class is filled with undergraduate or postgraduate students who know more and learn faster. And having a fulltime job also means many professionals, despite having the need, cannot travel to Yerevan for three to four weeks to join an intensive Persian language school.

Our teacher Ani jaan is splendid. Knowledgeable, patient, cosmopolitan, and absolutely brilliant. She waits for everyone and pushes you on all fronts to improve your Persian (thus, if you know more, she will make sure you get more and improve more; it is wonderful how everyone can learn at their own pace while sitting in the same virtual classroom), while also keeping an eye on time and making sure that all required materials are covered. I was amazed by how far she was willing to go — often way beyond the designated four-hour class time — to ensure that you learn what you need to learn. Class time is clearly divided into grammar, reading comprehension, writing, and listening. We have had great fun making up dialogues, and some students’ writings were always refreshing — and funny.

I have taken part in in-person intensive language courses before, and this does not feel fundamentally different in its pace, intensity, and outcome — which means Aspirantum has really done an excellent job. Strongly recommend to anyone hoping to boost their Persian.