OPI Test Preparation for Persian (Farsi)

What Is the OPI?

The Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) is a speaking test used by the U.S. military, government agencies, and other organizations to measure how well someone can actually speak a language. Unlike a written exam, the OPI is a live conversation: a trained interviewer talks with you in Persian, asks questions, and guides the conversation through different topics and tasks. Your performance is rated on the Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) scale, based on what you can do with the language — not on grammar rules you can recite.

Because the OPI is a conversation, preparation has to be conversation. Knowing vocabulary is not enough; you need to be able to use it smoothly, handle unexpected questions, and keep talking when you are unsure of a word.

How My Lessons Build Speaking Confidence

I am a native Farsi speaker and an experienced DLPT and OPI instructor. At Inlingua Utah, I teach U.S. military members preparing for their DLPT and OPI exams, so I understand what interviewers listen for and where speakers typically get stuck.

My OPI preparation lessons are built around real speaking practice:

• Guided conversation: Every lesson includes real conversation in Persian, at your level and a little beyond it — just like the interview itself. We practice talking about everyday life, work, opinions, and past and future events.

• Speaking strategies: You will learn what to do when you do not know a word: how to describe it, talk around it, and keep the conversation going instead of freezing. This is one of the most valuable OPI skills there is.

• Vocabulary that you can actually use: We build vocabulary through speaking, not through lists. Words you practice in conversation are words you will remember under pressure.

• Pronunciation and flow: We work on natural pronunciation and sentence rhythm, so your speech sounds smooth and confident rather than rehearsed.

• Feedback you can act on: After speaking practice, I point out exactly what worked and what to improve — in plain, encouraging language, never in a way that makes you afraid to speak.

Lessons are patient and supportive. Many students feel nervous about speaking at first, and that is completely normal. The goal of every lesson is that you leave feeling a little braver and a little more fluent than when you arrived.

Lesson Format and Cost

Lessons are online only, so you can prepare from anywhere. One term is four one-hour sessions, and the cost is $80 per term, paid in advance via Venmo (@shadi-davarzani). Students often continue for several terms as their speaking level grows.

Book Your Lessons

If you are preparing for the OPI in Persian, I would be glad to help you build the confidence to speak well. Visit the "Book & Pay for Lessons" section on www.shadi-davarzani.com to reserve your term and pay securely with Venmo. We will start by talking about where your speaking is now — and then build from there, one conversation at a time.