Darya Talabani and one of her students while teaching English language at her class in the city of Mahabad, western Iran (Rojhelat). Photo: Screenshot/Rudaw
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A group of children dressing in colorful Kurdish clothing attend English language classes in Iran's western Kurdish city of Mahabad, to learn the language and much more.
Their teacher, Darya Talabani, blends English lessons with Kurdish language and culture, helping young students strengthen both their mother tongue and a foreign language.
Talabani told Rudaw that she prioritizes Kurdish as the foundation for learning.
“Children first comprehend the world through their mother tongue,” Talabani said, noting that she uses Kurdish to build understanding before introducing English. “The mother language has an especially important role in forming human thought.”
Although she is an English teacher, Talabani also teaches children how to read and write in Kurdish, a skill many say they are eager to learn.
Kurdiya Jalili, a student, said she has been attending the class for a year.
“In English class, I can learn Kurdish and English,” she said. “I can form sentences, read, and speak fluently without fear.”
Another student, Rojman Khezrpour, said he hopes to become a language teacher in the future.
“We have been learning Kurdish, English, and writing,” he said. “I come from Mahabad, and I would like to become an English teacher for English and Kurdish.”
Darya teaches both in her classroom and online, reaching students beyond her local community. So far, she has taught more than 500 children.
Iran’s official language is Persian, but the many different ethnic groups also speak a variety of languages.
In Kurdish areas (Rojhelat), many volunteers have opened centers for the Kurdish language. They call on Kurds to use their mother tongue in their daily life.
Article 15 of the 1979 constitution of Iran states that “the official language and script of Iran, the lingua franca of its people, is Persian. Official documents, correspondence, and texts, as well as textbooks, must be in this language and script. However, the use of regional and tribal languages in the press and mass media, as well as for teaching of their literature in schools, is allowed in addition to Persian.”
Comments
Rudaw moderates all comments submitted on our website. We welcome comments which are relevant to the article and encourage further discussion about the issues that matter to you. We also welcome constructive criticism about Rudaw.
To be approved for publication, however, your comments must meet our community guidelines.
We will not tolerate the following: profanity, threats, personal attacks, vulgarity, abuse (such as sexism, racism, homophobia or xenophobia), or commercial or personal promotion.
Comments that do not meet our guidelines will be rejected. Comments are not edited – they are either approved or rejected.
Post a comment