Introduction

Persian, also known as Farsi, is primarily spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. Historically, the areas where the language is spoken range from the Middle East to India, but today, Persian is understood in parts of Armenia, Azerbaijan, India, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Turkmenistan and Turkey. Practically every major city in the Western world has a strong Iranian community. For example, there are strong communities in Paris, Vancouver, Sydney, London, and New York. Los Angeles and Toronto are such hotspots that they've earned the nicknames ‘Tehrangeles' and ‘Tehranto' among Iranians.

How hard is it to learn?

Persian is a relatively simple language to grasp grammatically. Nouns have no gender and there are no articles.

Persian is a very poetic, soft and song-like language and has been described as one of the most beautiful languages of the world. The stress is generally placed on the last syllable of a word.

One of the characteristics of the language means that it's often hard to distinguish whom a person is referring to, as the same word is used to describe both ‘he' and ‘she'!

Questioning is fairly simple and is formed by a rise in intonation of the voice at the end of a sentence. The word order doesn't change.
 

Learn Persian, and it helps you with other languages

Persian is part of the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European language family. Therefore, learning some Persian will certainly assist with Arabic, Kurdish, Urdu and Hindi. Similarities across the languages as a percentage are 90% of the facts, 40% of the words and 30% of the grammar.

First written records

One of the oldest texts, discovered in 6th century BC, is the clay Cyrus cylinder inscribed in Babylonian cuneiform script, which is the earliest known writing system in the world. Persian writing has evolved over the years and this would be classed as ‘Old Persian'.

The text refers to the Great King Cyrus of Persia, his genealogy, his great conquest of Babylon in 539BC and capture of Nabodinus, the last Babylonian king. The cylinder is currently on display at the British museum

The first handwritten book dates back to 1055. It was a medical book by Asadi Tusi, an eminent poet and linguist.

International Center for Persian Studies

International Center for Persian Studies (ICPS) was established in 1989, following a recommendation by Dr. Seyed-Ja'far Shahidi, the Director of Dehkhoda Lexicon Institute. The Center is aimed at teaching the Persian language to non-Persian speakers and bringing together Iranian and non-Iranian professors of Persian language and literature to facilitate their research cooperation. Since the Center's establishment, over 11000 students from around the world have attended higher-level courses at the Center, learning about the Persian language, Iranian literature and the history of Iranian arts.

Registration

Applicants' categories & Terms of Enrollment

The applicants in this institute fall into Four categories:

1. Group A: Includes foreign applicants who require the help of the Center in obtaining their student visa. This visa will allow the applicant to enter the country but will need to be renewed upon arrival.
2. Group B: Includes Iranian nationals and naturalized Iranian applicants.
3. Group C: Includes foreigners holding an Iranian residence and work permit; Political and Service-Visa holders.
4. Group D: Includes foreign students who study at Iranian universities and Turkish and Syrian nationals.

For more information please visit icps.ut.ac.ir/e-firstpage.html

• Group A

Student Visa Issuance Procedure: Once you have sent us the following six required documents, at least three months prior to the course start date, your application will be submitted to the Admission Committee:

Required documents:

1. The Visa Application form
2. The data page and signature page of your passport
3. A personal statement (not less than a paragraph in length), including:
   • Specification of the exact date of the course you wish to attend
   • An explanation of why you want to learn Persian and the effect it will have on your life
4. A recommendation letter from a professor, either in Persian or English, signed on the University letterhead (for students only)
5. Copy of graduation certificate or current student ID card.
   Note: In case it is in any language other than English, the official translation of your certificate of graduation is required.
6. CV Including your educational background, work experiences, extracurricular activities, email address, address, phone number
   Note: After your acceptance, the Center will contact the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) who will then authorize the Iranian embassy in your country to grant you a student visa; afterwards, your visa authorization number will be sent to you.

Note: The first six required documents can be sent to ICPS via email, fax or mail.

Required documents upon your arrival to the Center:

1. Registration Form
2. Your passport
3. Three ID-sized photographs (3*4cm)
4. The tuition fee (should be paid upon registration in the Center)

• Group B

This group includes Iranian nationals and naturalized Iranian applicants who live abroad. Applicants who fall into this category do not need to send us any documents. They must come for registration and submit the required documents a week prior to the course start.

Required documents submitted upon registration at the Center:

1. Registration Form
2. Iranian ID card and Iranian passport
3. Three ID-sized photographs (3*4cm).
4. The tuition fee.

• Group C

This group includes foreigners holding an Iranian residence and work permit; Diplomatic and Service-Visa holders. Applicants who fall into this category do not need to send us any documents. They must come for registration and submit the required documents a week prior to the course start.

Required documents submitted upon registration at the Center:

1. Registration Form
2. Passport
3. Work permit
4. Three ID-sized photographs (3*4 cm).
5. ID card issued by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to foreign residents and their families
6. The tuition fee.

• Group D

This group includes foreign students who study at Iranian universities; Turkish and Syrian nationals. Foreign students who study at Iranian universities do not need to send us any documents. They must come for registration and submit the required documents a week prior to the course start.

Required documents submitted upon registration at the Center:

1. Registration Form
2. Passport
3. An introduction letter from your University
4. Three ID-sized photographs (3*4 cm).
5. The tuition fee.

University of Tehran's Applicants

In accordance with University of Tehran's admission regulations, the applicants who are not fluent in Persian are requested to arrange their presence in Iran one semester earlier before their studies in order to take part in the Persian courses of ICPS and pass Persian learning course as a prerequisite unit to be admitted in Bachelor, Master or PhD programs.

Note: To receive the required information on attending in the University of Tehran or scholarships, please make contact with int.admissions@ut.ac.ir & international@ut.ac.ir .

Turkish and Syrian Nationals

Turkish and Syrian Nationals, just like group A applicants, should send the 6 required documents three months prior to the course start and wait for the Admission Committee's decision. After their acceptance in the Committee, they can register and start their study at this Center for three months with the Entrance visa stamp only. However, in case these nationals wish to study at ICPS more than three months, the Center will obtain their Student Visa.

Required documents submitted upon registration at the Center:

1. Registration Form
2. Passport
3. Three ID-sized photographs (3*4 cm).
4. The tuition fee.