Current university students receive a 12% discount!
Classes + services
Current Language & Literature Classes
An immersive introduction to the Farsi language, with a proprietary program incorporating grammar, vocabulary, writing, culture, history, and conversation. We offer a three-part series of classes beginning with fundamentals in Farsi-I and continuously building on grammar, vocabulary, writing, and reading until students successfully complete Farsi-III. Along the way, we discover much more than language.
Students are assigned weekly homework and also have access to office hours. Quizzes and exams ensure that you're conscious of your strengths as well as areas that could benefit from further refinement.
Our Summer 2026 classes are taught by Dr. Rashid -- who holds a master's and doctoral degree with specialization in Farsi language, literature, and Sufism.
Please note: Students who've previously not studied Farsi grammar and cannot read/write in Farsi begin with Farsi-I. This also applies to heritage speakers.
Why Aleff Institute? No gimmicks, no games, no pretension, and no marketing maneuvers. Informed and deeply rich instruction that goes beyond language. Over 15 years of scholarly study and recognition at the highest levels of academia and public scholarship.
Fall Semester 2026
Space is limited - Enroll today!
If you're unable to attend the live classes you can still enroll as an asynchronous student! You will have access to recordings, homework, and office hours to ensure you have the support needed to thrive.
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Farsi-I -- North America/Europe
Starts: August 11th
Times: 5:30 - 6:45 PM PST
8:30 - 9:45 PM EST
Days: T/Th
Duration: 9 weeks
Prerequisite: A passion to learn
Enrollment status: Open. Available for both synchronous and asynchronous enrollment.
Instructor: Dr. Rashid
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Conversational Farsi - An immersive course focused on speaking, vocabulary acquisition, and practical grammar in various registers. This class does not involve any component of reading/writing in Farsi. Open to speakers of all dialects.
Starts: August 2nd
Time: 4:30 - 6:45 PM PST
7:30 - 9:45 PM EST
Days: Sundays
Duration: 10 weeks
Prerequisite: None. Open to heritage and non-heritage learners.
Enrollment status: Open
Instructor: Dr. Rashid
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ʿAttār - The Logic of Love and Longing
An in-depth engagement with the worldview and poetics of ʿAttar of Nishapur and the foundations of Sufism. Engaging in close-readings and elucidation focused on ʿAttar's major works via primary and secondary sources.
Starts: August 1st
Time: 8:00 - 10:15 AM PST
11:00 - 1:15 PM EST
Days: Saturdays
Duration: 8 weeks
Prerequisite: A passion to learn.
Enrollment status: Open
Instructor: Dr. Rashid
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Farsi-III
Starts: August 3rd
Time: 5:45 - 7:00 PM PST
8:45 - 10:00 PM EST
Days: M/W
Duration: 9 weeks
Prerequisite: Farsi-II
Enrollment status: Open
Instructor: Dr. Rashid
Please use the Contact/Enrollment section for questions or to sign-up for classes!
Private Lessons
Our schedules can be at times unpredictable or maybe your optimal learning environment is a tailored 1:1 setting. Our private lessons option ensure that sessions are curated to your specific short and long term goals. Whether your goal is to build conversational skills, learn to read or write in Farsi, or maybe you've grown up speaking Farsi but never understood the grammar and don't have an expansive vocabulary, our private lessons will ensure that you achieve your goals via a uniquely structured and comfortable approach. Book 10 hours of private lessons and get 30 minutes on us!
Contact us for more information
Translation Services
Aleff Institute has scholarly expertise and a rich background translating an array of material from English to Farsi as well as from Farsi to English. Our portfolio includes work with authors, publishers, journalists, non-profit organizations, artists, documentary filmmakers, poets, and businesses.
Cost: Contingent on the project.
Contact us for more information. Please include details regarding your project needs.
Language proficiency assessment
Aleff Institute offers an assessment test for individuals who may need confirmation and documentation showing that they are proficient in the Farsi language or to determine the skill level they're currently at. This can also be catered to a particular dialect of the language such as the Kabuli dialect (primary dialect in Afghanistan) or the Tehrani dialect (Primary dialect in Iran).
Cost: Contingent on requirements.
Contact us to schedule your assessment test today!
Literature Classes
Our literature classes are open only to students who've successfully completed Farsi-III or its equivalent. These classes are akin to seminars wherein close reading and discussion of texts take place. Grammatical explanations, vocabulary practice, and reflective writing are employed to ensure that students are sensitized to the nuances of the text. Classes utilize selections from classical Persian literature by world-renowned thinkers such as Ferdawsi, 'Attar, Sa'di, Mawlana (Rumi), Hafez, and others.
