Learn Farsi: 39 Apps, Books, Podcasts & Courses to Master the Persian Language

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To learn Farsi, you have endless resources at your fingertips. How do you pick? 

The answer to that question is not so simple. It depends on your preferred learning method and your goals of studying the Persian language.

Are you a visual or auditory learner? Are you planning to start from the Farsi alphabet and move to reading and writing Farsi? Or do you just want to speak Farsi fast in time for your trip to Iran? 

To help all Farsi language learners out there, I’ve compiled a list of resources to learn Persian online and offline. It comprises books, podcasts, and apps to learn Farsi, as well as online courses, YouTube channels, and websites to find Farsi tutors. 

Round-up of best resources to learn Farsi

Before you get lost in the options below, I’d like to share some of my top recommendations for Farsi learning resources.

First, the Pimsleur course is highly effective in getting you fluent in Farsi. Complement that with Italki, a fantastic platform for finding online Farsi tutors, from $4 per lesson!

Also, check out the Chai & Conversation podcast, the Mondly app, the Persian Language Online website, and Reza Nazari’s YouTube channel. 

Now, let’s get started. 

Best apps to learn Farsi 

Let’s get this out of the way: Babbel does not have a Farsi option. Farsi’s not on Duolingo either. But fret not, there are still plenty of apps to learn Farsi. Here are some of them. For the full list, head here.

1. Mondly

The Mondly app is a fun way to learn Farsi. You can choose from your difficulty level and get practice for spelling, reading, and typing Farsi. The free version gives you access to short exercises daily, but it’s worth looking into the premium plan for even more content.

2. Drops

Learn the Persian language in just five minutes a day! Drops is an app that will have you play your way to learning over 2,500 words and phrases in Persian.  

3. Ling Persian

On Ling Persian, you will learn Farsi through interactive mini-games, puzzles, challenges, and quizzes. Listen to dialogues, practice speaking Farsi, and polish your Persian alphabet writing skills.

4. Memrise

Another great app to learn Farsi, Memrise teaches you Farsi using a natural approach. You’ll enjoy lessons featuring video clips of native speakers, and over time you’ll build your listening skills and gain the confidence to speak Farsi. 

5. Mango Languages

Learn Farsi through conversations with the Mango app. Also, get access to notes about grammar and culture, while building your vocabulary and working on your pronunciation. 

6. Learn Persian

Also called WordPower, this app helps you acquire new Farsi vocabulary, one word at a time. It’s a good supplement to other apps to learn Persian. 

7. LuvLingua

This is a simple and interactive app that will have you memorizing Farsi words and phrases as you progress through the lessons. It’s highly recommended for beginners. 

8. Learn Persian Free

Containing over 9,000 common Persian words and phrases, this app is a good tool for building your Farsi vocabulary. Audio pronunciations are included. 

Read: 13 Best Apps to Learn Farsi

Best Farsi language courses and programs

Get Farsi lessons in the comforts of your home with these Farsi courses: 

9. Pimsleur

Lots of serious learners are using the Pimsleur Method to get fluent in Farsi, and you can’t go wrong with it. This effective Persian course features real-world context and is designed to help you pick up Farsi in a natural way.

Here’s an offer for you: Try Pimsleur Farsi absolutely FREE today! 

10. Rosetta Stone

Another well-known brand name in the language circle, Rosetta Stone has a comprehensive Farsi course that will teach you to speak and read the Persian language through bite-sized Farsi lessons. 

11. Learn Persian (Farsi) language on Udemy

Get an introduction to the Persian language through this course developed by Amin Dehghan.  It comes with two hours of on-demand video and goes in-depth into the Farsi letters and scripts. 

Best websites to find Farsi tutors online

If you find your motivation sizzling out with self-study, what you need is a one-on-one Farsi tutor. Apart from keeping you on track for your Farsi learning journey, you’ll get customized and interactive lessons. Plus, you’ll make meaningful connections with native Farsi speakers. 

These are the best websites to find a Farsi tutor online: 

12. italki

A personal favorite of mine, italki is a platform that connects language learners and tutors.

You can find a wide selection of Farsi community tutors for conversation practice and also professional Farsi teachers for lessons supported by learning materials. Farsi lessons start from $4 and they are conducted via video calls, usually Skype.

Read my review of Italki and sign up here. 

13. Preply

Similar to Italki, Preply is a website where you can find Farsi tutors online. Whether you’re just learning the Persian alphabet or already reading poems, there’s a Farsi tutor on Preply that’s perfect for your budget and needs.

14. Cudoo

Whether you’re a novice or looking for refresher lessons, Cudoo’s Farsi courses can help. Covering beginner to advanced levels, Cudoo features self-paced and bite-sized lessons with real-world examples.

These courses teach essential expressions, grammar, and pronunciation. Plus, they come with certificates of completion!

15. NaTakallam

Learn Farsi through a language program delivered by refugees! NaTakallam’s language services help displaced individuals who struggle to earn a living. You can do good while getting your dose of Persian language lessons.

16. Tappersia

The friendly folks at Tappersia have branched out from providing travel agency services to offering Farsi classes online. The professional instructors are fluent in English and cater to travelers, Farsi students, and even Iranian families abroad.

17. Tutorful

Tutorful has a handful of private Farsi tutors. Lessons take place via an online classroom with features like document sharing and interactive whiteboard.

Take note that compared to italki and Preply, the rates on Tutorful are on the higher end. 

18. Skillshare

There are only a few Persian courses on Skillshare but they come in handy for beginners and intermediate learners. Here, you can learn the Persian alphabet, essential expressions, colloquial language, and even cultural insights.

Best podcasts to learn Farsi

Podcasts are all the rage these days for many reasons. First of all, it’s super convenient to learn Farsi through a podcast. You can do it during your commute to work or while walking the dog.

On top of that, you’ll get familiar with hearing Farsi and the usage of correct pronunciations. Most podcasts give you cultural knowledge as well. 

Now, here are the best Farsi podcasts to plug into: 

19. Learn Persian with Chai & Conversation

First on the list is something I’ve personally tried and highly recommend.

In this podcast, Leyla Shams gets you from zero to hero in speaking Persian. You’ll be learning alongside Matt, a fellow beginner. The audio lessons are free. 

20. PersianPod101

Learn how to speak Persian with PersianPod101. This podcast guides you through conversations and breaks it down line-by-line so you can understand every single word. Subscribe to get access to the audio/video lessons and supplementary study tools.

21. Learn Persian by PodGap

Dive into conversations in Persian with PodGap. They have a selection of Farsi lessons for beginners to advanced learners. It’s available online, on Spotify, or via your podcast player.

22. Learn Conversational Persian by LinguaBoost

Take 10 to 15 minutes each day for this audio course that will build your conversational Persian skills. You’re encouraged to repeat the phrases to memorize them. This budget-friendly podcast series contains 30 lessons (over 6 hours) with PDF.

Best books to learn Farsi

There may be apps and podcasts these days, but some of us prefer to stick to our books! With Persian language books, you can pick up the skills to read Persian while learning the alphabet and grammar.

Here are the best books to learn Farsi:

23. Colloquial Persian by Abdi Rafiee

This book by Routledge offers a step-by-step approach to written and spoken Persian. As it provides English transliterations and explains concepts clearly, it’s ideal for self-study. Users highly recommend getting the accompanying CD. 

24. Complete Modern Persian (Farsi) by Narguess Farzad

Published by Teach Yourself, this self-study book takes you from beginner to intermediate. It introduces Farsi vocabulary and grammatical concepts in a gradual manner. The accompanying CD includes audio exercises.

25. An Introduction to Persian by W.M. Thackston

This book covers modern, classical, and colloquial Persian. It’s best for those learning how to read Persian and understand Persian grammar in-depth.

26. Learn Persian – Farsi Step by Step by Fruzan Seifi

This is a fun and interactive eBook with integrated audio, made for absolute beginners. This colorful textbook contains pictures, everyday dialogues, cultural notes, and comprehensive exercises.

With this book, you can master both the written and spoken Farsi in a way that’s enjoyable.

27. Persian in Use by Anousha Sedighi

This is an elementary textbook of language and culture. While it’s designed for first-year language students at a university level, it can be used by any Farsi learner. It introduces interactive dialogues and gives you a glimpse into Persian culture and literature.

28. How to Write in Persian by Nazanin Mirsadeghi

Need help to learn the Persian alphabet and script? Designed for non-native speakers, this workbook for learning the Persian alphabet will give you plenty of writing exercises.

Read: 12 Best Books to Learn Farsi

Best websites to learn Farsi

Yes, you can self-study Farsi online too. Here are some of the best websites for your online Farsi course:  

29. Persian Language Online

Supported by the Iran Heritage Foundation, Persian Language Online has Farsi lessons for beginners, intermediates, and advanced learners.

Lessons utilize a variety of media formats and come with translations, transliteration, glossary, and activities. It’s highly recommended as it covers both the spoken and written form of Persian. 

30. Easy Persian

Language learners get hundreds of free lessons in Persian on this website, starting from the alphabet before moving on to numbers, colors, and of course, Persian grammar. 

31. Learn Persian

Run by a non-profit startup, Learn Persian offers free educational resources for those who are interested in Iran’s culture and the Persian language. The Persian lessons incorporate audio by native Farsi speakers.

32. Quizlet

Quiz yourself through Farsi and build up your vocabulary. Quizlet teaches you Farsi through flashcards. 

33. Forvo

Not sure how a Persian word is pronounced? Let Forvo come to your rescue. Simply search for a word and click the play button.

Best YouTube channels to learn Farsi

YouTube has a treasure trove of videos to learn Farsi online. It’s worth mentioning that Chai & Conversation and PersianPod101 have excellent content on learning Farsi on YouTube.

Apart from those, here are the best YouTube channels to learn Farsi: 

34. Reza Nazari

An accomplished author and an expert Farsi teacher, Reza Nazari teaches you how to speak Farsi fast on his YouTube channel. With hundreds of videos available, you can pick up Persian words, phrases, grammar, and conversational skills.

Also, check out his book titled Learn to Speak Farsi in 30 Days.

35. Persian Learning

Go to Majid’s YouTube channel for videos and lessons on the many perspectives of the Persian language. He has a playlist on Persian words and phrases, as well as Persian idioms and slang.

Beginners can get in-depth grammar lessons with examples and also learn Persian through songs, movies, and poetry with translations included.

36. Talk Like a Persian

Get the low-down on the Persian alphabet, numbers and basic phrases, as well as Persian idioms, slang, and daily expressions on this YouTube channel. 

37. Farsi Wizard

Become a Farsi wizard by learning with Tina Rahimi. Apart from teaching rules of Persian grammar on YouTube, she gives lessons based on themes such as food, colors, and animals. 

38. Learn Persian with Rozina

Rozina is a Persian teacher from Hungary who resides in Sweden. On her YouTube channel, she shares interesting videos that ooze with her passion for the Persian language. Join her Facebook group for a daily word and sentence in Persian.

39. FC LangMedia

FC LangMedia has a playlist of Persian Grammar Videos with 45 videos providing grammar bites for Farsi learners. It covers how to use questions using “which” “when” and “where” to lessons on vowels, pronouns, infinitives, and tenses.

Tips on how to learn Farsi 

Learning Farsi can be a challenge, but it’ll be rewarding once you find yourself conversing with native speakers and decoding Farsi texts fluidly. For all you beginners wondering how to learn Farsi, here are some tips: 

Choose multiple methods

There isn’t one best way to learn Farsi. And sticking to just one method might not work the best either. I recommend choosing two or three learning resources – for example, an app, a podcast, and a book – for a more wholesome approach that tackles the multiple skills needed to master the Persian language. 

Don’t sweat the grammar

Don’t drive yourself crazy dwelling on minute details of Persian grammar. It’s boring, plus you’ll get frustrated. Instead, spend your time listening, reading, writing, and speaking Persian to accelerate your progress. 

Find ways to keep yourself motivated

You need to invest weeks, months, or even years to learn Farsi. To ensure that your motivation does not sizzle out, embed yourself in the Persian language learning community by joining Facebook groups such as Let’s Learn Farsi and Learn Persian.

Even better, take regular classes with an Iranian tutor from sites such as italki or Preply to have someone tracking your progress. 

I hope this guide has been useful to you. Feel free to share this list of resources with other Persian language learners out there. And if you can think of potential additions to this list, just let me know in the comment box below!