Farsi Language Books, Persian Audio CDs for Self Study, Textbooks
1. An Introduction to Persian by W.M. Thackston, Published by Iranbooks
A comprehensive grammar of modern, classical & colloquial Persian. Includes glossary. Accompanying set of tapes useful for pronunciation is available.
2. Teach Yourself Modern Persian/Farsi Complete Course Audiopack by Narguess Farzad
Prepared by experts in the language, each course begins with the basics and gradually promotes the student to a level of smooth and confident communication, including: Step-by-step guide to pronunciation and grammar; Regular and irregular verb tables; Plenty of practice exercises and answers; Practical vocabulary and a bilingual glossary; Clear, uncluttered, and user-friendly layout; An exploration of the culture. Audiopacks include an instructional paperback book and two companion 60-minute audio CDs.
3. Persian Grammar: For Reference and Revision by John Mace, Paperback: 240 pages, Publisher: Routledge/Curzon
This is a clear and user-friendly guide to Persian grammar, both of the written and spoken languages, especially useful for those in the early stages of studying the Persian language. It serves as a revision and reference book that can be used to support any Persian course book. The script is taught step-by-step. It uses the official reformed spelling, and gives attention to handwriting, educated standard and educated colloquial pronunciation, and the important polite forms. The grammar is explained in lay terms with copious examples, all shown both in Persian script and in Roman transliteration. The grammatical themes are grouped logically, and there are cross-references, appendices and a subject index to facilitate the search for the right form.
4. Colloquial Persian The Complete Course for Beginners (With cassette) by Abdi Rafiee, Paperback: 288 pages, Publisher: Routledge
Colloquial Persian is the ideal introduction to the modern language, also known as Farsi, as spoken in Iran. The author, an experienced teacher of the language, has devised a step-by-step approach to written and spoken Persian. No previous knowledge of the language is required. Learning to read and write Persian script is made as easy as possible. For those who wish to communicate in Persian without studying the script, romanization is included throughout. Other features include: concise grammar explanations; lively dialogues with essential everyday vocabulary; Persian-English and English-Persian glossaries. Two 60-minute cassettes are available to accompany this course. They will help you perfect your pronunciation and comprehension skills. Colloquial Persian will enable you to speak, read and write Persian with confidence.
5. Lonely Planet Farsi (Persian) Phrasebook by Yavar Dehghani, Paperback: 253 pages
From mystics to musems, barbers to bazaars, and art to archaeology, jump into the event with this phrasebook. Extensive food section; transliterations throughout for easy pronunciation; concise grammar section geared towards immediate and practical use; insider tips on culture and social etiquette; comprehensive two-way dictionary.
6. Persian-English Dictionary (Hippocrene Standard Dictionary) by S. Haim, Paperback: 736 pages, Publisher: Hippocrene Books
A comprehensive dictionary defining some 30,000 words and idioms in 22,500 entries. For beginner to intermediate level students. Also the author himself states in his foreword that this is a dictionary for writing, not speaking the words.
7. An English-Persian Dictionary by Dariush Gilani, Hardcover: 608 pages, Ibex Publishers
This is the third edition of Gilani's popular dictionary: Includes about 22,000 entries; The Persian (Farsi) equivalents are also written in English letters for those not being able to read Persian script; It provides the Persian equivalent rather than a descriptive meaning of the English word. The pronunciation of the Persian rather than the English is emphasized; It uses the more prevalently used American rather than British-English.
8. Modern Persian: Intermediate Level by Gernot L. Windfuhr, Hardcover: 322 pages, Publisher: University of Michigan Press