Ferdowsi School of Persian Literature
Learn Persian Language and Literature Online
Learn Persian with Ferdowsi School
Hi! I’m Ruben Nikoghosyan, based in Yerevan, Armenia. Welcome to my small but ambitious project! I named my school after the greatest poet of Iran, Ferdowsi of Tus, and it wasn’t by chance. Through many years of studying and teaching Persian language and literature, Ferdowsi’s epic masterpiece has continually inspired me to dive deeper into the treasure troves of Persian literature. For me, exploring this vast and profound ocean of mystery has become a lifelong mission—to uncover the hidden pearls of meaning within. Would you like to join me in this blessed feast of subtle meanings and drink from the goblet of love and wisdom? I invite you to embark on this long yet infinitely rewarding journey together!
Upcoming Courses
Our Testimonials
"Thanks to his vast and deep familiarity with several religious, historical and literary texts written
in Middle and Classical Persian, Ruben’s well-structured courses have always been intellectually
stimulating and inspiring. In addition to his knowledge of secondary literature in Russian, French,
German, Armenian, Persian and English, Ruben often draws on riches of the Persian literary
canon to explain linguistic features."

"I took Ruben’s ‘Introduction to Pahlavi’ course, and I highly recommend it. This course is not just an excellent introduction to the Middle Persian language, but also a gateway to understanding the broader historical and cultural realities of Sasanian Iran. You will learn a lot — and have great fun in the process!"

What impressed me most was his meticulous attention to detail and his deep expertise in both historical linguistics and the literary content of the texts. His approach allowed us to explore their rich cultural and historical significance in a meaningful way, while also absorbing key notions of grammar and vocabulary. I highly recommend Ruben's classes to anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of Persian literature and language, guided by a knowledgeable, passionate, and patient teacher."

"This course greatly developed my confidence in Middle Persian, which I had tried to learn sporadically in years past, without much success. We read different texts in different genres, and became familiar with the process of transliterating and transcribing inscriptions written in Middle Persian, which is very important for my future projects. Ruben's course will serve as the basis for all my future studies into Middle Persian!"
Jae Hee HanAssistant Professor, Department of Religious Studies, Brown University, USA
"Ruben’s Persian reading class was an enriching and eye-opening experience. Ruben is incredibly patient, resourceful, and knowledgeable, guiding us through the nuances of Persian texts and manuscripts with clarity and enthusiasm. Enjoyed so much reading Persian prose with Ruben and learning about histories!"
Yue XiePhD student, Department of History of Art & Architecture, Harvard, USA
"This was the second course that I have taken with Ruben and I cannot recommend studying with him highly enough! He is an incredibly engaging teacher who really makes the course material come to life. I have studied Persian for many years but my courses with Ruben have been on a whole other level."

"Learning Persian literature with Ruben was a fantastic experience. I started learning Persian out of necessity, but thanks to Ruben, I began to understand the beauty of its language and literature, and now I am enjoying learning Persian."
So Jeong LeeMA Student in Art History, Seoul National University, South Korea
"Besides the philological approach that drew me to the course in the first place, I enjoyed the wide ranging discussions on orthography, scribal cultures, and the editorial history of the text. Ruben deployed a method of close reading, which allowed us to work around meanings at different levels and appreciate the occasional ambiguities in a work. This is an invaluable training for anyone interested in texts, irrespective of the language and culture. I wholeheartedly recommend Ruben's courses to anyone interested in the literary cultures of the Persianate societies, not the least for the passion with which he takes you through a literary work."
Somok RoyDoctoral Student, University of Bonn, Germany
If you are struggling with reading Classical Persian or Persian paleography, Ferdowsi School is the go-to place! Ruben is very knowledgeable, patient, and encouraging. While the texts were daunting initially, Ruben always encouraged us to think by connecting what we had learned from the previous sessions, so we both refreshed our memories and also applied what I have learned to the new text.
Di WangPhD Student, Department of History, The Ohio State University
"I truly cannot recommend studying with Ruben Nikoghosyan enough to anyone interested in Persian languages and literature. He is a passionate scholar with a wealth of knowledge and critical insights into the literary traditions of Middle and classical Persian texts. I have taken
Ruben’s Middle Persian and Shahnameh courses and have thoroughly enjoyed and developed
my understanding of these texts. What I enjoy most from Ruben’s teaching style is ability to always answer questions in depth and provide students with up-to-date literature. No question is too small or too large!"

WHY STUDY WITH US?
- Strong Academic Foundation
Learn from courses rooted in solid academic principles. From the Shahname to the quatrains of Omar Khayyam, every lesson is thoughtfully designed to deepen your understanding of Persian literature. - Focused on Iranian Studies
Dive into Iranian studies with courses that explore etymology, grammar, phonetics, and the rich cultural history of Persian texts. - Affordable and Accessible
Gain access to high-quality Persian courses that are budget-friendly. Our mission is to make Classical Persian literature widely available, prioritizing learning over profit. - Customized Private Courses
Whether you’re studying a Classical Persian text or starting with Modern Persian, our private courses are tailored to fit your specific needs. - Flexible Scheduling
No matter where you are in the world or how busy your schedule is, we’ll work to find times that fit your timetable. - Easy-to-Access Learning
Our courses are designed to be engaging and approachable, so students of all levels can succeed without feeling overwhelmed. - All Materials Provided
Save time and effort—we’ll supply all the resources you need for your courses.