Overview
Course summary
Whether you're taking your first steps to learn another language or are at an advanced level, our courses will help you to communicate confidently in your chosen language.
You will find our classes characterised by an atmosphere of lively debate and enjoyment in learning and, whether you are looking to improve your language skills for professional or personal reasons, our wide range of languages and entry levels make the University of Westminster the ideal place to study.
Who is this class for?
This level of Farsi is post-beginner, allowing you to extend your range of basic skills.
This course is made up of three parts. If you’ve studied Farsi for around a year or 60 hours, you should start with Part One. For those who’ve studied more than this, you may be able to join Part Two or Part Three directly – contact us if you're unsure of your level by using the details at the bottom of the page.
Our elementary course is made up of three parts, Part One, Part Two and Part Three. Each part builds on what you've learnt previously.
At the elementary level:
- Part One is for you if you have studied Farsi for around one year or 60 hours
- Part Two is for you if you have completed Part One, or if you have studied Farsi for about 80 hours
- Part Three is for you if you have completed Parts One and Two, or if you have studied Farsi for about 100 hours
You can skip Part One and proceed straight to joining Part Two or Three if you have prior experience. If you’re not sure of your level, email us via the contact details at the bottom of this page.
If you can't see the part you need in the booking table, please check back, as we add more dates throughout the year.
Terms and conditions
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Course structure
Teaching
Our Farsi 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.
Please note that the distribution of course content across terms may vary from year to year. This is due to the variable length of terms in different academic years. There may also be slight content variations at the discretion of the tutor. We may, for example, include additional content when general progress is good, or vary content according to students’ interests.
Learning resources
We will use Colloquial Persian throughout the course. However, please wait until the first session before buying your course book.
You can join Part One, Two or Three of the course depending on your prior experience.
In Part One of the Farsi Elementary course, you'll cover the following topics and grammar:
Topics
In this term, we will cover:
- revision of topics covered in Grade 1
- travel
- arriving in Tehran
- 'How long will you stay in Iran?'
- going through customs
Grammar
You will learn:
- future simple tense (how to say ‘I will see you tomorrow’) فردا شما را می‌بینم
- present continuous (how to say ‘I am watching TV’) دارم تلویزیون تماشا می‌کنم
- imperative (how to say ‘have some fruit, please’) میوه بخورید، لطفاً
- sequencing (how to say ‘my friend and I’) من و دوستم
- how to say ‘please go ahead’ بفرمایید
- how to say ‘let’s go’ بریم
Part Two builds on what you learnt in Part One, covering the following topics and grammar:
Topics
In this term, we will cover:
- in Iran
- getting a taxi
- checking in at a hotel
- relations with other people
- asking for and telling the time
- asking for and giving directions
- asking a Persian speaker to speak more slowly and clearly
- describing a location with reference to the points of compass
- talking about journey time and distance
- enquiring about the availability of facilities in the area, using 'streetwise' expressions
Grammar
You will learn:
- simple subjunctive (how to say ‘I must go’ ...) باید برم
- structured infinitive (how to say ‘to telephone someone’ ...) به کسی تلفن کردن
- object endings (how to say ‘I saw them’, ‘I ate it’) دیدمشون، خوردمش
- how to ask 'what's the matter (or wrong) with him/her?' چشه؟
- how to say 'there is/are', 'there was/were' هست، بود
- 'after lunch' vs 'after I ate (or) I have eaten lunch' بعد از ناهار / بعد از اینکه ناهار خوردم
- 'before lunch' vs 'before I ate (or) eat lunch' قبل از ناهار / قبل از اینکه ناهار بخورم
- gerund (how to say ‘going’, ‘eating’ ...) رفتن، خوردن ...
Part Three is the final level of the Farsi Elementary course, and covers the following topics and grammar:
Topics
In this term, we will cover:
- talking about food, drinks and your diet, including ‘restaurant skills’
- asking someone if they have ever done something
- using ta`ārof (politeness ritual)
Grammar
You will learn:
- adverbs of frequency (‘always’, ‘usually’, ‘sometimes’, ‘occasionally’, ‘rarely’, ‘never’ ) همیشه، معمولاً، بعضی‌وقت‌ها، گاهی، به ندرت، هیچ‌وقت
- double negative (how to say ‘I never go to a restaurant alone’) هیچ‌وقت تنها به رستوران نمی‌رم
- present perfect (how to say ‘I have seen that film’) آن فیلم را دیده‌ام
Booking
If you are interested in this course, please fill out our enquiry form and we’ll be in touch when bookings re-open.
This course is currently closed. Please keep an eye on our website for future dates.
If you have any questions about the course in the meantime, please get in touch with us via the details at the bottom of this page.
Discounts and booking deadlines
There are no discounts available at present but please check back for our latest offers.
Online courses – September start
- Standard Fee per Part: £290
The booking deadline is 10 days prior to the start date of each Part.
On-campus courses – October start
- Standard Fee per Part: £350
The booking deadline is 10 days prior to the start date of each Part.
Language courses term dates
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)
*Bank holidays: Monday 1 April, Monday 6 May, Monday 27 May
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)*
- Part 3 (Tuesday -Thursday courses): 16 April– 20 June 2024 (10 weeks)
*Bank holidays: Monday 6 May, Monday 27 May
Looking for another language or level?
If we don't currently offer the language or level you're looking for, please register your interest with us, and we will get in touch if the course becomes available.
How we're delivering courses
Online courses
Why study with us?
- Small class sizes
- Highly qualified native speakers (or equivalent)
Our interactive online courses provide real-time lessons with an expert tutor to practise speaking and listening. You will benefit from live, face-to-face engagement with experienced language teachers in an online, virtual classroom.
Wherever you are in the world, you'll become part of the University of Westminster's global community. You can be assured of a warm welcome here, where your wellbeing, the quality of our teaching and your learning experience are our priorities.
What do you need for an online class?
To get the most from the course, you will need:
- a reliable internet connection
- a PC or laptop with webcam and microphone and a modern web browser installed
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.
Take a look around our virtual classrooms
On-campus courses
Why study with us?
- Small class sizes
- Highly qualified native speakers (or equivalent)
Location and facilities
Most classes are held at our historic headquarters building at 309 Regent Street. This is a dedicated teaching building with purpose-designed facilities.
Our location near Oxford Circus means we're right in the heart of central London, with excellent transport links.
Meet the teacher
We're arranging online meet the teacher sessions where you can discuss your language level, meet our teachers and find out more about our courses. If you're interested, please register via this form and we'll contact you with further information.
Book nowGo to registration page for Meet the teacher sessions
Interested in one-to-one tuition?
Our flexible one-to-one language courses focus on your needs to help you progress with the language of your choice. Lessons can be tailored to your needs, level and capability.
This course is ideal for highly motivated students who want to make quick progress in improving their language skills. Lesson times are flexible.
If you're interested, please apply via this form, and we'll be in touch with further information.
Farsi Beginners