THE HONEST LIST
What I Recommend for Learning Persian
After 631+ Persian lessons with English speakers, here is the honest list. What works, what is overrated, what to skip entirely. — Elyar
Lessons with me on Preply
Real conversations with a real native speaker who builds a custom slide deck for you. The fastest way from “what is sangak” to “I survived the family dinner” — across 631+ documented lessons with English speakers.
Apps worth your time
For drilling vocabulary, audio practice, and gap-filling between lessons.
Pimsleur Farsi
Best audio-only product for Persian. Strong on pronunciation, weak on script and slang. Pair it with anything visual.
Read full review →Anki + 5000 Persian Words deck
Free. Frequency-ranked. The best vocabulary engine for Persian, full stop. Slow ramp but compounds for years.
Read full review →Mango Languages Persian
Decent grammar drilling. Free with most US public library cards. Falls flat on real spoken register.
See in full ranking →FarsiDic
Free Persian dictionary that pulls from Dehkhoda. The reference I tell every student to install on day one.
Read full review →Podcasts & YouTube
Listening immersion that doesn’t bore you to sleep.
Chai and Conversation
Strongest spoken-Persian podcast for English speakers. Heavy on tarof and natural conversation. Worth the paid tier.
Read full review →Learn Persian with Majid
YouTube channel teaching colloquial Tehrani. Great for register awareness. Free.
Read full review →Telewebion
Free live Iranian TV. The fastest way to immerse in real-world Persian once you’re past A2. Use subtitles where you can.
Read full review →IMVBox
Legal Iranian films with subtitles. Cinema-grade input. Great for vocabulary in cultural context.
Read full review →Books & Tutors
When you want structure, depth, or a second human in the loop.
Persian of Iran Today (Atoofi)
The university textbook that doesn’t suck. Strong grammar progression. Pair with audio to fix the dryness.
Read full review →Farsi for Beginners (Atoofi)
Simpler companion to the above. Audio included. Solid for total beginners who want a real book in hand.
Read full review →Wyzant tutors
Larger pool of US-based Persian tutors. Higher prices than Preply but more academic profiles. Quality varies.
Read full review →Verbling Persian
Tutor marketplace with video profiles. Smaller Persian pool than Preply but solid alternative. Higher rates.
Read full review →What to skip
- Duolingo — there is no Persian course. Why it doesn’t exist and what to use instead.
- Rosetta Stone Farsi — formal register only. You will sound like a 1970s diplomat. Skip.
- Mondly Persian — shallow. Recycled Western language frameworks bolted onto Farsi vocabulary. Underwhelms.
- Generic Persian audio courses on Audible — most are 1990s tape transcripts. Out of date register, no script.
Still want me in the loop?
Books and apps will get you 60% of the way. The last 40% is conversation. That’s what I do.
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