About us
Iranian school at Harry Ainlay, Edmonton. Started with 30 registrations as of April 2012. Currently, there are two classes; under 10 and over 10 year of age, in which students learn Farsi.
Under 10
Mrs. Shahla Mehrdar, an elementary retired teacher, (from Iran), teaches this class. Her method of teaching is a modified version of Iranian school's, in which students are more involved in the learning process, through group work and presentations.
Over 10
Mrs Shima Khatibifar, a PhD. At U of A in chemistry, teaches this class. She has 3 years of teaching experience in Iranian schools. Her method of teaching is primarily based on the students’ knowledge of the English alphabet and grammar and their verbal communication skills in Persian. A list of Persian letters and their various forms as well as the equivalents in the English alphabet are given to the students. They are encouraged to read passages in Persian using their list and rewrite them in a "Pinglish" format. As the students familiarize themselves with the Persian alphabet and script, the transition is made to reduce their dependence on the English equivalents. Alongside reading and writing exercises, students learn new words and concepts in Persian, through reading stories, poems and passages in class. Visual materials, either in Persian or related to the Iranian culture, are concurrently used to assist in broadening students’ vocabulary as well as to make sure the classes are dynamic and exciting for the teenage students.
There would be a third class starting from September 2012, for those students whose knowledge of Farsi language is minimal and are not able to communicate in Farsi language.
