Oxford Persian Institute



Online Courses

Online courses offer a flexible option for those who cannot attend a regular class. The course is combination of Skype tuition with an approved instructor of teaching Persian as a foreign language and online text, video and audio materials. There are 6 levels named in honour of a classical Persian poet (Khayyam, Rumi, Firdawsi, Attar, Sa’di, Hafiz). Each level includes 16 hours of one-to-one instruction and students are required to devote 45 to 50 hours for their homework using VLE (Virtual Learning environment).

Applicants can start any time of the year or at any level, if they have prior knowledge of Persian. Students can opt for a minimum of one hour and a maximum of three hours of weekly one-to-one instruction to ensure that students have sufficient time to absorb the learning materials. Upon completion of all 6 levels, students will receive a certificate. One may also sign up for single terms, but no certificate will be awarded, unless the student completes levels 5 and 6.

 To understand terms, course name, level and areas covered, please see the table below:


  Term 1        Khayyam          Beginner         

Reading and writing basic Persian, knowledge of basic grammar, holding simple conversation.

Term 2       Rumi          Elementary     

Reading and writing short texts, developing reading comprehension, holding discussions on every day topics.

Term 3   Firdawsi      Lower intermediate   

Reading select chapters of books, complex grammar, writing letters and emails, developing conversation skills.

Term 4   Attar       Upper intermediate   

Reading and summarising newspapers, websites and magazines articles, listening to Radio and TV and holding conversations about news, politics, culture, etc.

Term 5    Sa’di        Advanced A     

Reading, discussing and commentaries specialised books and articles in literature and history.

Term 6  Hafiz           Advanced B     

Reading, discussing and writing commentaries specialised books and articles in politics and current affairs.