Admission requirements
This course is only available for students in the BA International Studies programme.
Description
This course provides an introduction to the Persian language. Students are introduced to the script, phonology, morphology and syntax of the Persian language and learn the basic skills of reading, speaking, listening and writing in Persian. The course is taught with reference to a number of Persian grammar books and other types of material are distributed throughout the course. In addition to the language, students will be able to acquire a basic knowledge of the Iranian culture and society. The course requires a substantial amount of self-study and active participation in class.
Course objectives
This course aims at the A1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).
Speaking: Learners will acquire communicative skills enabling them to converse about simple and routine matters. They will be able to describe aspects of their personal backgrounds, immediate environments and other matters in areas of immediate need in simple terms.
Listening: Learners will be able to understand standard speech on common topics and to extract the main point of messages and announcements provided that people talk slowly.
Reading: Learners will be able to read and understand short and simple texts on familiar matters containing basic vocabulary.
Writing: Learners will be able to write short texts on familiar topics in Persian.
| Skill | CEFR Level |
|---|---|
| Reading | A1 |
| Writing | A1 |
| Listening | A1 |
| Speaking | A1 |
Timetable
The timetable is available on the BA International Studies website.
Mode of instruction
Tutorials
Three two-hour tutorials every week, with the exception of the midterm exam week. Attending all tutorial sessions is compulsory. If you are unable to attend a session, please inform your tutor in advance, providing a valid reason for your absence.
Course Load
Total course load for this course is 10 EC (1 EC = 28 hours), which equals 280 hours, broken down by:
| Component | Estimated time |
|---|---|
| Attending classes | 72 hours |
| Assessment hours (exams) | 6 hours |
| Preparing for classes, exams and extra activities | 202 hours |
Assessment method
Assessment and Weighing
| Partial grade | Weighing |
|---|---|
| Mid-term Exam | |
| -- Written examination | 20% |
| Final Exams | |
| -- Written exam | 40% |
| -- Listening exam | 20% |
| -- Speaking exam | 20% |
End Grade
To successfully complete the course, please take note that the End Grade of the course is established by determining the weighted average of the in-class oral and listening performance, and written exams.
The End Grade needs to be a 6.0 or higher to pass the course.
Resit
If the End Grade is insufficient (lower than a 6.0), there is a possibility of retaking the full 70% of the exam material (exams, quizzes, Midterm Exam and Final Exam). No resit for the tutorial (participation and homework) is possible.
Exam review and feedback
How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organized.
Blackboard
Blackboard will be used for this course. Students are requested to enroll on Blackboard, but only after correct enrolment in uSis.
Reading list
Ahmad Saffar Moghadam, Persian Language; Vol 1: Iran Today, Tehran: Shora-ye Gostaresh-e Zaban va Adabiyyat-e Farsi, 2012.
Further reading will be announced (on Blackboard) or distributed.
Registration
Enrolment through uSis for Tutorials is mandatory.
Students will be enrolled for Exams by the Administration Office, as long as they have a valid Tutorial enrolment.
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
Not applicable
Contact
When contacting lecturers or tutors, please include your full name, student number, and tutorial group number.
Please use your University email-address (uMail) when communicating with any person or department within Leiden University.
Student Affairs Office for BA International Studies
Remarks
Passing this course is an additional requirement for a positive Study Recommendation at the end of the year.
This course uses an integrated communicative language learning method. Therefore active participation in the classroom activities is essential for successful learning outcomes.