Persian Language 2
- Course Code:
- Unit value:
- Taught in:
- Full Year
The course is designed to improve students' command of the modern Persian language in the areas of reading, translation, composition and conversation. By the end of the academic year students should be competent to use the language to read straightforward fictional, cultural, social and political texts. They should have a good command of everyday social vocabulary and be able to understand the language when spoken at an unhurried pace and involving familiar and predictable topics; their pronunciation and fluency should be such that they can be readily understood.
Successful completion of Persian language I is normally a prerequisite but the course is also open to those who can provide satisfactory evidence of equivalent knowledge in Persian.
Objectives and learning outcomes of the course
At the end of the course, a student should be able to demonstrate…
1. knowledge and understanding of intermediate Persian grammar
2. knowledge and understanding of a wide range of Persian vocabulary
3. knowledge and understanding of the appropriateness of a wide range of Persian structures and expressions in a given context
4. the ability to understand passages in written Persian of medium length on everyday and some specialised topics
5. the ability to produce passages in written Persian of medium length on everyday and some specialised topics
6. the ability to understand spoken Persian and to engage in spoken discourse of medium complexity on everyday and some specialised topics
WorkloadThere will normally be four hours of classes a week. During these classes reading, writing, translation and oral skills are developed. Students are required to complete weekly written and oral assignments.
Scope and syllabus
Provisional course outline:
Reading: Reading material is selected from a variety of sources including newspapers and magazines, twentieth-century literary works and material relevant to everyday needs such as brochures, manufacturer's instructions, guide books etc.
Writing: The practice of this skill includes a variety of tasks such as translation, composition, reviews and letters on a variety of subjects. The main aim of the exercise is to promote grammatical accuracy and improve handwriting. The teaching of grammar at this level is informal and contextual where appropriate.
Oral: This aspect of the course concentrates on communicative and descriptive skills such as conducting informal social conversation, more formal dialogues, giving instructions, making arrangements, making inquiries and giving speeches and presentations.
Aural: Listening material in the form of recordings from Iranian radio stations or audio and video tapes of story reading, films, etc. is available for students upon request.
Method of assessmentAssessment will be by written and oral examination. The three-hour written examination in May-June consists of translation of unseen texts into Persian and English and composition (80% of the total mark). The oral exam includes oral and pictorial comprehension and conversation (20%).
- Persian Language Teaching Books (AZFA) Series 1-5, Tehran 1990
- Selected Short Stories from Heshmat Moayyad, Stories from Iran: A Chicago Anthology 1991
- Selection of current news items appearing in newspaper reports and short articles from the press etc.