French Farsi Without Tears

This is the Farsi class you’re looking for.
Shohreh is a very talented teacher.
At the Persian Center on Berkeley campus, the class tackles first common scenarios you would expect to speak like introductions, discussing family and interests, and ordering food among others. You then move on to writing/​reading, verb conjugations, past and present tense, and complimenting it all with increased vocabulary.
Another positive aspect is your learning is always approached with an appreciation of Persian culture including origin of words/​phrases, food, art, and more.
You’ll be part of a family. Highly recommend the class.

I have been taking group Farsi classes with Shohreh for a few months now, and I have to agree with the rest of the glowing reviews. Shohreh is a fantastic teacher!
First off, I appreciate Shohreh’s approach towards teaching the language. Farsi is one of these languages where there’s a formal way to write and pronounce things, but nobody in Iran actually speaks that way. Shohreh mentioned right from the beginning that she wants to teach us to speak Farsi as it is spoken. And I totally agree with that idea. My goal, and presumably the goal of most students, is to be able to speak with native speakers, so Shohreh’s approach is perfect for this goal.
That being said, Shohreh is also extremely flexible. She frequently asks students for feedback on what parts of the class they like and what they don’t like. And then she modifies the class structure according to the desires of the students.
But there is another thing that makes Shohreh truly unique among language teachers. (I enjoy studying languages, so I have had many language teachers!) Most of my interactions with other teachers have been very transactional: I pay for an hour, they spend an hour with me, and then move on. But when you sign up to take classes with Shohreh, it’s more like you’re joining a family.
When you show up to class, she has prepared tea, in the Persian tradition. Class begins by discussing our lives (in Farsi, of course). Midway through the class, Shohreh usually pulls out a crock pot with some delicious Persian food she has prepared for the class to try. And the relationship doesn’t stop at the end of class. Shohreh sets up potluck parties for the students, and keeps us informed about events at the Persian center, so you end up seeing her and other students outside the class context as well.
Many language teachers just care about getting through the next grammar lesson. Shohreh cares about improving your language skills, exposing you to the Persian culture, and most of all, she cares about *you*!

I have been learning Farsi with Shohreh in a group class (~3−4 students) for about 1.5 years and cannot speak more highly of her as a teacher, mentor, and friend. Soon after I began dating my Persian boyfriend and meeting his family/​friends, I decided that instead of tuning out when they talked in Farsi — I wanted to learn and participate! :) I started becoming familiar with the language during my commute with the Pimsleur Persian CDs, which was helpful in learning useful/​short conversational sentences and in acclimating to intonation and sounds. However, the CDs are very introductory and are geared towards a very formal environmental (i.e. for example it uses ‘-id’ verb conjugation); I often felt frustrated that in actual conversation I had little vocabulary to work with, I sounded really formal, and I didn’t understand the more basic grammar rules. This is the point when I found Shohreh and began attending her classes, starting with the alphabet workshop, and then joining a group class.
Her courses are great because she tailors them to the particular/​communicated needs of her students and class as a whole. She teaches with the foundation of the language: the alphabet, basic vocab, common present-​tense verb conjugation… and then builds upon this through a mix of written and oral material. We also spend a lot of time practicing conversationally — in class, through ocassional mehmoonis (lunch/​dinner gatherings), and field trips. Throughout the year we also infuse several cultural elements (and related vocab), for example relating to poetry, food and holidays.
My confidence in speaking Farsi has improved so much through the past year, and it is really so much fun and so special (!) to be able to converse with my boyfriend and his friends/​family in their mother tongue. Learning Farsi has really unlocked a beautiful learning journey, in terms of connecting with my boyfriend in a way that wouldn’ t have been possible via speaking in English, and also (somewhat unexpectedly) in learning about the complexity of modern Iran and the Iranian diaspora. Khaley mamnum, Shohrehjan!/Thank you!

Well, this is the easiest rating I have ever made. If you are looking to learn Farsi in the East Bay, Farsi without Tears is the place. Shohreh is an extrodinary teacher who adapts her style to meet her student’s needs. She pushes you — classes are focused and there is little if any time wasted at the beginning/​end of class. Secondly, Shohreh is just a great person. She wants you to learn, she cares about your making progress. And finally, you learn a great deal not only about Persian culture and behaviors, but are — if interested — welcomed into the larger Persian community who spend time at the Persian center in Berkeley. Farsi without Tears is a no brainer if you are looking to learn Farsi in the East Bay.

Shohreh is one of the best teachers I have had in my entire (not just adult) life. Her enthusiasm towards teaching creates such a friendly and positive environment toward learning Farsi. She does so well with making sure you absorb all of the lessons in a thorough yet gentle fashion.
The class’ approach to the technical side of the language is very good and what you need to build a foundation. But what made the class so interesting is Shohreh’s insights into Persian culture and history during lessons which will in turn teach you the artistic side of the language. Teaching both makes me feel like I have not just learned, but I understand, the language. Also as a non-​Persian learning for fun because my wife speaks Farsi and is Persian, the class has provided insights into her and her family I greatly appreciate and would not have gotten out of an app.
My recommendation could not be higher for Shohreh and her program.