Academic Year, Medium and Education Structure in Iran

As far as the beginning of new academic year is concerned, all schools and universities run from September to June for a period of 10 months. However, there are universities which conduct very few courses during the summer season.

Students get three-month summer vacation. During Nowruz (Persian New Year), all schools remain closed beginning from the month of March 20 through the starting of the month of April. The first semester usually starts on the first day of Mehr according to Persian Calendar. Mehr is the first month of autumn in Iran and it coincides with the first day of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere. So basically, the first fall semester begins on the first day of Mehr and culminates in the month of January. Second semester is held in spring time. The session starts in winter and culminates in the month of June.

Dates may slightly vary from institutions to institutions, but this system is generally followed through all the levels of education in Iran.

Elementary education of the students takes place from ages 6 or 7. At this level, a variety of subjects are introduced for studies including Practical Sciences, Social Sciences and Persian literature. English language is not taught in elementary schools. Only some private schools teach English language at elementary levels.

However, when students enter middle school, English becomes a part of their curriculum. The language is taught for around 3 hours every week. At the level of secondary education, English is taught for about 2 hours a week as a foreign language in order to equip students for international communication. After this when students proceed to pre-university level for 1 year, they are taught English for 4 hours every week.

In this context, it should be pointed out that Farsi or Persian is the official language of instruction in the country and English is taught as the second language or foreign language. Apart from English, other foreign languages such as French, German, Arabic, Chinese and Spanish are also taught. But English language is given most preference.

Hence, considering the overall scenario it can be said that language of instruction in Iran is Farsi and among foreign language studies English is most preferred.