Kurdish education is gaining new momentum in Iran’s western city of Mahabad, where a local teacher combines Kurdish and English lessons for children. Moreover, the initiative strengthens students’ foreign language skills while preserving their mother tongue.
Darya Talabani, a Mahabad-based educator, has developed a unique approach that integrates Kurdish language and culture into her English lessons. She emphasizes Kurdish as the foundation for learning because it helps students grasp new concepts more effectively. “Children first comprehend the world through their mother tongue,” she explained.
Additionally, Talabani teaches Kurdish reading and writing, a skill many students eagerly pursue. Over the past year, more than 500 children have benefited from her classroom and online courses, which allow her to reach students beyond the local community.
Students describe the program as transformative. For example, Kurdiya Jalili, who has attended the classes for a year, said, “In English class, I learn Kurdish and English. I can read, write, and speak confidently.” Similarly, Rojman Khezrpour expressed hopes of becoming a language teacher himself. “We learn Kurdish, English, and writing. I want to teach both languages in the future,” he said.
The initiative also reflects broader trends in Iran, where Persian remains the official language. However, Article 15 of the 1979 constitution allows regional and tribal languages to be taught and used in media alongside Persian. Consequently, Kurdish communities have increasingly opened centers to preserve and promote their language in schools and daily life.
Experts highlight that programs like Talabani’s not only improve bilingual literacy but also strengthen cultural identity. “Integrating mother tongue instruction supports cognitive development and promotes long-term language retention,” said a regional education specialist.
In recent years, Kurdish education initiatives have expanded across Rojhelat. Additionally, volunteers have worked to teach and create resources for young learners. Talabani’s program, therefore, exemplifies the potential of combining modern language instruction with cultural preservation.
Looking forward, educators in Mahabad aim to expand online courses to reach more children across Kurdish regions. In addition, officials note that supporting multilingual education aligns with broader social and educational development goals.
By bridging Kurdish and English learning, Talabani’s efforts demonstrate how regional languages can coexist with national curricula. As a result, Kurdish education in Mahabad now serves as a model for other communities seeking to balance cultural heritage with global language skills.