Persian Without Petrification: A Communicative, Task-Based Approach to Teaching Persian to Non-Native Speakers

By Amir Karimipour

Persian Without Petrification addresses a critical gap in Persian language pedagogy: the widespread fossilization of errors among learners, particularly Arabic speakers who rely on structural similarities and cognates. Drawing on longitudinal data from 312 Iraqi Arabic-speaking learners at Ilam University's AZFA Center (2023-2025), this book presents a comprehensive, research-informed approach to teaching Persian that prevents fossilization through task-based language teaching (TBLT) principles. The book fundamentally challenges traditional grammar-translation methodologies that have dominated Persian instruction for decades. Instead, it demonstrates how meaning-focused communication from day one, combined with structured input flooding, consciousness-raising tasks, and pushed output activities, produces learners who achieve native-like accuracy without explicit rule memorization. The empirical foundation rests on 847,000 words of learner corpus data, systematic pre- and post-intervention assessments, and longitudinal tracking of developmental trajectories. Each of the six chapters addresses a critical domain of Persian acquisition: fossilization prevention (Chapter 1), pronunciation and phonology (Chapter 2), script and initial vocabulary (Chapter 3), implicit grammar acquisition focusing on ezafe and verb morphology (Chapter 4), advanced oral skills with authentic materials (Chapter 5), and literacy development with learner autonomy (Chapter 6). The book provides theoretical foundations grounded in second language acquisition research, detailed empirical findings from the AZFA Center study, and immediately applicable pedagogical materials including 50 ready-to-use task cards, self-monitoring templates, and assessment rubrics.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 3838221249
• ISBN13: 9783838221243
• Release Date: September 2026
• Publisher: Ibidem Press
• Length: 302 Pages