Reading Iran Reading Iranians: An Intermediate / Advanced Persian Textbook (Second Edition)
Reading Iran Reading Iranians aims primarily to help improve reading proficiency in Persian. Completion of the book can lead to the ability to read Persian prose writing with adequate speed on general topics with the aid of dictionaries (which is the focus of several lessons). Persian learners can also come away from the book with tools needed to proceed on their own in maintaining and improving reading skills. Reading Iran Reading Iranians consists of thirty-eight self-contained lesson modules arranged in order of increasing difficulty.
Product ID: 109865
ISBN: 1881265773
Categories: Classroom/Schools, Classroom/Teaching Materials, Learn, Learn|Advanced, Learn|Intermediate
Supporting language: Farsi (Persian), Persian (Farsi)
Platforms/media types: Printed Matter
Comprises 38 self-contained lesson modules, progressing from simpler contemporary texts to more complex classical and modern prose. Each module includes:Reading Passage: Excerpts from Iranian authors (e.g., short stories by Sadeq Hedayat, essays by Jalal Al-e Ahmad, poetry by Forugh Farrokhzad, news articles from Kayhan or Iran Daily). Texts are presented in Persian script with facing-page English glosses for key vocabulary.Vocabulary and Grammar Notes: ~50100 new words/phrases per lesson, with idiomatic explanations (e.g., del-ra kardan "to win over" in cultural contexts). Focuses on advanced syntax like relative clauses, subjunctives, and rhetorical devices.Comprehension Exercises: Multiple-choice questions, fill-in-the-blanks, and discussion prompts to build inference skills. Includes cultural asides (e.g., historical notes on the Iranian Revolution or Zoroastrian influences).Self-Study Tools: End-of-module summaries, review quizzes, and strategies for independent reading (e.g., skimming techniques, dictionary use).Approach: Reading-centric, with minimal audio components (though later digital supplements exist). It prioritizes "extensive reading" to foster fluency, using unedited or lightly adapted authentic materials. Lessons incorporate socio-cultural themes like gender roles, urban life in Tehran, and Persian identity, making it engaging for cultural studies majors.Purpose: Ideal for university students post-beginner level (e.g., after completing Alif Baa or Elementary Persian), aiming for ILR Level 3+ reading proficiency. It helps learners tackle newspapers, novels, and academic texts independently, with a strong emphasis on modern colloquial Persian alongside formal literary styles.
Specifications: Hardback, approx 300 pages.