Persian Language Summer School
10 weeks (or 6-9 weeks), from Jun 21, 2026 to Aug 28, 2026

The Armenian School of Languages and Cultures – ASPIRANTUM is organizing a Persian language summer school in Yerevan, Armenia. The program starts on June 21, June 28, or July 5, and you can stay up to 10 weeks until August 28, 2026. Shorter options of 6, 7, 8, or 9 weeks are also available. We offer beginner, elementary, and intermediate (up to upper-intermediate) level Persian language classes, ensuring that students of different backgrounds can progress effectively. To get more information and apply, please refer to the details below.

See the photos of our programs on ASPIRANTUM's Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aspirantumcom/

See the videos about our programs and video testimonials on ASPIRANTUM's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@aspirantum

The testimonials of ASPIRANTUM Persian language summer and winter school alumni are available here: https://aspirantum.com/testimonials

2026 Persian language summer school will help the participants master skills in written and oral modern Persian, read and interpret Persian texts from different periods, and rapidly deepen their knowledge in colloquial Persian.
Below, in the application form, you may select a 6-10 week (120 - 200 hours) program starting on June 21, June 28, or July 5, 2026. 

10 weeks - 200 contact hours (1 hour = 50 minutes)
9 weeks - 180 contact hours
8 weeks - 160 contact hours
7 weeks - 140 contact hours
6 weeks - 120 contact hours

The ten-week Persian language summer school offers 200 hours of intensive Persian language classes for 50 days (from Monday to Friday each week). Every day, the participants will receive Persian language instruction for 4 hours and after-class lectures, and extra training. The classes start in the mornings or noon, and the schedule is the following:

09:00 (14:00) - 09:50 (14:50) - Persian language class
09:50 (14:50) - 10:00 (15:00) - Coffee Break
10:00 (15:00) - 10:50 (15:50) - Persian language class
10:50 (15:50) - 11:00 (16:00) - Coffee Break
11:00 (16:00) - 11:50 (16:50) - Persian language class
11:50 (16:50) - 12:00 (17:00) - Coffee Break
12:00 (17:00) - 13:00 (18:00) - Persian language class (fourth and final class)

During the Persian language summer classes, the following components will be covered every day to foster the Persian language knowledge of participants:

Grammar: Everyday class will cover the main grammatical concepts of the modern Persian language as well as parallels with classical Persian.
Vocabulary: During the 10 weeks course it is anticipated that the participants will learn around 1500 new Persian words from literary language as well as words used in everyday life.
Listening: The classes are scheduled so that participants, with the guidance of an experienced instructor, learn the Persian language through songs and movies and watch and listen to the news and other short videos about interesting and sometimes funny topics and stories about Iranian realities.
Speaking: Every day the Persian language classes will push the students to exercise their speaking abilities through discussions, conversations, and role-plays about different texts and topics.
Writing: Each day, the participants of the Persian language class will have assignments and homework to complete for the next day, and the homework will primarily involve writing assignments.
Reading: Everyday students will read and discuss political texts, prose and poetry, conversations, and news. The corpus of texts to be read and discussed during the classes comprises different prominent Persian authors, daily conversations as well as news of the day.

The students will receive a detailed syllabus for each day’s class. 

You can find the intermediate Persian language syllabus on the website: https://aspirantum.com/curriculum/persian-intermediate-syllabus

You can find the upper elementary Persian language syllabus on the website: https://aspirantum.com/curriculum/upper-elementary-persian-syllabus

Levels:
This Persian language school is designed for participants, at least 18 years old, who want to make well-grounded progress in their knowledge of the Persian language and deepen their knowledge of Persian grammar, colloquial speech, and literary language.

The Persian language summer school 2026 will have 1, 2, or 3 groups of up to 12 participants each (in the last six years, ASPIRANTUM Persian groups have usually consisted of two groups with 2–10 students each). We offer beginner, elementary, and intermediate (up to upper-intermediate) level Persian classes.

Participants for the elementary and intermediate groups must already have some prior knowledge of Persian. Below are the descriptions of all levels, including the beginner section, which starts from the alphabet:

0. Beginner Level (A0–A1)
You start from the Persian alphabet and learn to read and write basic words and expressions; You understand and use very simple phrases related to everyday needs; You learn elementary vocabulary and basic sentence structures; You can introduce yourself and ask/answer simple personal questions; You understand familiar words and simple instructions when spoken slowly.

1. Elementary / Upper Elementary Level (A1–A2)
You can understand and use basic everyday expressions; You can read and write short, simple sentences and texts; You can communicate in routine situations when the other person speaks slowly and clearly; You can ask and answer questions on familiar topics such as family, daily life, and immediate needs; You can understand short, simple audio materials.

2. Lower Intermediate Level (A2)
You understand frequently used expressions related to everyday activities; You can participate in short social exchanges; You can describe in simple terms aspects of your background, surroundings, and personal interests; You can understand the main idea of short written texts; You can write simple, connected sentences on familiar topics.

3. Intermediate Level (A2–B1)
You understand the main points of clear standard speech on familiar topics; You can participate in conversations and express opinions, preferences, and experiences; You can read and understand longer straightforward texts; You can write connected paragraphs describing experiences, events, and simple arguments; You understand slower native speech, though fast or idiomatic speech remains challenging.

Our instructors of the Persian language have extensive experience teaching students of the mentioned levels in one group in a way that all students have rapid growth in their knowledge of the Persian language. Depending on the number of students, the ASPIRANTUM Persian language summer school may have three groups, where the students will be split according to their levels (in 2019, 2021, and 2022, we had two groups, in 2023, we had 1 group, in 2024, we had 2 groups, in 2025 we had 3 groups).

Assessment:
Before the classes start, the instructor of Persian will send a written test to all confirmed participants and have a video call with them to assess their knowledge of Persian prior to the start of the school. By the end of each week, an interim exam will be organized, and the students will pass a final exam to assess their advancement during school.

ASPIRANTUM’s Persian language schools are organized so that undergraduate and graduate students, researchers, professors, and anyone interested in learning Persian benefit from it the most. So, everyone with upper elementary, lower-intermediate, and intermediate levels of Persian is welcome to apply and participate in ASPIRANTUM’s Persian language summer school from June 21 to August 28 in Yerevan.

Deadline:
The deadline to apply to the 2026 Persian language summer school is May 1, 2026.

To apply, please fill in the application form below.

Participation fee:
The participation fee is:

$6690 - 10 weeks. Below, in the application form, you may also select a 6-9 week program.
$6190 - 9 weeks 
$5690 - 8 weeks
$5190 - 7 weeks
$4690 - 6 weeks

If you apply or make the payment after May 5, the participation fee will increase by $900.

This price includes reading and writing materials, coffee breaks, welcome and farewell parties, transportation and meal costs during cultural trips, and some dinners with guest speakers.

We will not cover accommodation, breakfast, lunch, dinner, visa costs, insurance, travel costs to Armenia, from Armenia and in Armenia, or any costs of accompanying friends or family members.

To apply, please fill in the application form below.

Registered participants should send 100% of the participation fee before May 5, 2026.

Trips and Cultural Activities in Armenia organized by ASPIRANTUM for the summer school participants

City Center Walking Tour 
Saturday, June 20, 2026 — Exact time TBA
A short introductory walk through Yerevan’s city center to help students get oriented with supermarkets, banks, restaurants, and the ASPIRANTUM venues. The tour will be guided by ASPIRANTUM’s director.
This optional walk is for students who are already in Yerevan on that day.

Trip - Garni Temple & Geghard Monastery Cultural Excursion
Sunday, June 21, 2026 — 13:00 (1 PM)
Meeting point: Amiryan 1, in front of the Marriott Hotel
Cost: This trip is fully included in the program participation fee
Students will visit the iconic Garni Temple, the only standing Greco-Roman colonnaded temple in the region, set against dramatic mountain landscapes. They will then continue to the UNESCO-listed Geghard Monastery, carved into the rock and echoing with centuries of history and sacred music.

First day celebration dinner
Sunday, June 21, 2026
Cost: This event is fully included in the program participation fee
After the trip, students will gather at Yerevan Tavern on Teryan Street to enjoy a warm Armenian evening with great food, live music, and traditional dances. It will be a relaxed and festive way to end the day together, get to know one another, begin forming friendships with fellow students, and connect more closely with the instructors.

Trip - Summit of Aragats • Amberd Fortress • Kari Lake • Yezidi Tent • Lunch
Saturday, July 11, 2026 — 9:00 (9 AM)
Meeting point: Amiryan 1, in front of the Marriott Hotel
Cost: This event is fully included in the program participation fee
During this trip, students will travel to the highlands of Aragats Mountain and visit the stunning Kari Lake. Along the way, they will meet Yezidi shepherds and see their traditional herding life in the mountains. We will stop at a Yezidi family’s tent to enjoy fresh bread and cheese, and sometimes there is even the chance to help with sheep milking. Afterward, we will visit the historic Amberd Fortress and have lunch nearby. On our return, we will stop at the Armenian Alphabet Alley and Saghmosavank Monastery, beautifully overlooking the deep Kasakh River gorge.

Trip - Ejmiatsin • Yezidi Temple • Mausoleum of Kara Koyunlu Emirs
Sunday, July 19, 2026 — 13:00 (1 PM)
Meeting point: Amiryan 1, in front of the Marriott Hotel
Cost: This event is fully included in the program participation fee
Students will visit the Ejmiatsin Cathedral, the spiritual center of Armenian Christianity. The trip continues to the magnificent Yezidi Temple in Aknalich village. On the way back to Yerevan, we will also stop to see the tomb of a Turkmen Emir who ruled the region in the 15th century.

Mid-Term Celebration & Certificate Evening
Friday, July 24, 2026 — 19:00 (7 PM)
Cost: This event is fully included in the program participation fee
We will gather at Yerevan Tavern Riverside for our summer school mid-term celebration. Students completing their program will receive their certificates during this special evening. The event will feature live music, musical and theatrical performances, great food and drinks, and of course, dancing. A warm and festive night to celebrate our time together.

Trip - Khor Virap • Noravank • Areni Cave • Lunch
Saturday, August 8, 2026 — 09:00 AM
Meeting point: Amiryan 1, in front of the Marriott Hotel
Cost: This event is fully included in the program participation fee
Students will visit Khor Virap monastery, where the closest view of Mount Ararat opens across the border. The trip continues to Noravank, a stunning monastery surrounded by dramatic red cliffs. We will then explore Areni-1 Cave, the archaeological site where the world’s oldest known winery (over 6,100 years old) was discovered, along with ancient wine-pressing equipment, storage vessels, and remarkably preserved cultural artifacts that reveal the deep roots of Armenian winemaking traditions.

Celebration & Certificate Evening
Friday, August 14, 2026 — 19:00 (7 PM)
Cost: This event is fully included in the program participation fee
We will meet at Beatles Pub to relax, talk, enjoy good music, and spend time together. A friendly and joyful evening to share memories and simply enjoy each other’s company during the summer school.

Trip - Lake Sevan • Lunch
Saturday, August 15, 2026 — 09:00 AM
Meeting point: Amiryan 1, in front of the Marriott Hotel
Return at 4:00 PM
Cost: This event is fully included in the program participation fee
Students will spend a relaxing day at Lake Sevan, enjoying the fresh mountain air, beautiful views, and the cool waters of Armenia’s largest and most iconic lake. A delicious local lunch will be served by the lakeshore before returning to Yerevan.

Khachkar Crafting Masterclass
Exact date and time TBA
Cost: $55
Students will join a hands-on khachkar crafting masterclass in a historic Yerevan studio founded in 1988. Guided by an experienced khachkar artist, participants will learn traditional Armenian stone-carving techniques and explore the cultural and spiritual significance of khachkars. By the end of the session, everyone will take home a small stone souvenir they crafted themselves — a unique reminder of Armenia’s artistic heritage.

Yerevan Brandy Factory — Armenian Brandy Tasting Tour
Exact date and time TBA
Cost: $45
Students will visit the legendary Yerevan Brandy Factory, home to Armenia’s world-renowned brandy tradition. During the guided tour, participants will explore the historic cellars, learn about the production process, and experience a curated brandy tasting featuring several distinguished varieties. A refined and memorable introduction to one of Armenia’s most iconic cultural treasures.

Cooking Event — Armenian & Persian Culinary Evening
Exact date and time TBA — Afternoon/Evening
Cost: This event is fully included in the program participation fee
Students will participate in a warm, hands-on cooking experience hosted in a local Armenian home. Together we will prepare traditional dishes such as dolma and barbecue, with the possibility of adding Persian flavors and recipes to enrich the cultural exchange.
Guided by local hosts, participants will learn cooking techniques, enjoy freshly prepared dishes, and spend a relaxed evening sharing food, conversation, and culture in a homely atmosphere.

Vernissage Visit with Teachers
Exact date and time TBA
Students will explore Yerevan’s famous Vernissage open-air market together with their instructors. This vibrant space offers handmade crafts, art, jewelry, carpets, antiques, and unique Armenian souvenirs. Participants can also bargain with local artists and vendors to find memorable items to take home.

Matenadaran Visit
Exact date and time TBA
Cost: This event is fully included in the program participation fee
Students will tour the Matenadaran, Armenia’s world-renowned institute of ancient manuscripts. During the visit, they will discover rare medieval texts, beautifully illuminated manuscripts, and centuries of Armenian literary and scholarly heritage preserved under one roof.

Visiting Yerevan Blue Mosque
Exact date and time TBA
Students will visit the historic Blue Mosque, the only active mosque in Armenia and a remarkable example of 18th-century Persian architecture. During the visit, they will explore its serene courtyard, beautiful tilework, and learn about the mosque’s cultural and historical significance in Yerevan’s diverse heritage.

Gafesjian Modern Art Museum — Evening Visit
Exact date and time TBA
Cost: This event is fully included in the program participation fee
An evening visit to the Gafesjian Center for the Arts, where students will explore Armenia’s most iconic contemporary art collections in the stunning Cascade complex. Guided by instructors, participants will enjoy a relaxed cultural outing with panoramic night views over Yerevan.

Credits 
Students seeking US academic credit are advised to apply through our partner organization, SRAS, via the following link: https://sras.org/persian

Accommodation in Yerevan
- Previously, our summer and winter school participants have found great accommodation deals through Airbnb. Airbnb works perfectly in Yerevan, and it is very easy to search and find a proper place. ASPIRANTUM staff is always ready to guide you and help to find the best accommodation through Airbnb. Please also check our detailed guide about how to find accommodation in Yerevan. 

Scholarships
- Several scholarships are available to participate in ASPIRANTUM’s Persian language summer school. For details on scholarships, please check our "scholarships" section.
Each summer school participant may find other sources of financial aid from their own University/School/Community or other relevant foundations.

- Letter of Invitation
ASPIRANTUM will offer applicants an official invitation letter to support scholarship and travel grant applications.

For questions and inquiries, please contact [email protected] or WhatsApp Dr. Khachik Gevorgyan at +37491557978

To apply, please fill in the application form below.