Armenian classes · Los Angeles · Since 2006
Armenian Classes in Los Angeles. Barev.
Private lessons with native-speaking instructors. Matched to your goals, your schedule, and your life. Start any time.
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Why Armenian?
Four reasons to take Armenian classes
Preserve a 1,600-Year-Old Alphabet
The Armenian alphabet was created in 405 AD and has barely changed since. Learning Armenian means mastering one of the world's most beautiful and unique scripts.
Connect With LA's Largest Armenian Community
Greater Los Angeles is home to the largest Armenian diaspora in the world. Speaking Armenian opens doors in business, culture, and community across Southern California.
Explore a Crossroads Civilization
Armenia sits at the intersection of Europe and Asia, with a culture shaped by Persian, Greek, Russian, and Ottoman influences. Its language reflects that rich complexity.
Access an Untranslated Literary Tradition
From medieval manuscripts to modern poetry, much of Armenian literature has never been translated into English. The language is the only way in.
Since 2006
Armenian in Los Angeles
Armenian is an independent branch of the Indo-European language family — it’s not related to Turkish, Arabic, Persian, or Russian, despite centuries of contact with all of them. It has its own 38-letter alphabet, created in 405 AD by the scholar Mesrop Mashtots, and has been in continuous use ever since. There are two main dialects: Eastern Armenian (spoken in Armenia and Iran) and Western Armenian (spoken by diaspora communities worldwide, including LA). The two are mutually intelligible but differ in pronunciation, some grammar, and vocabulary. About 7 million people speak Armenian globally.
Glendale is home to the largest Armenian community outside of Armenia itself. The city’s population is roughly 40% Armenian, and you can go entire days conducting business, eating, shopping, and socializing entirely in Armenian. Burbank, North Hollywood, and Pasadena also have significant Armenian populations. Armenian heritage schools, churches, and cultural organizations are a fixture of the community. For many second- and third-generation Armenian Americans, the language is deeply tied to identity — parents and grandparents who want their children to speak Western Armenian often seek out tutors because the dialect is classified as endangered by UNESCO.
Strommen has taught Armenian in Los Angeles since 2014. Our native-speaking tutors work with heritage speakers strengthening their grammar and literacy, parents preparing kids for Armenian school, and newcomers learning from the ground up. We teach both Eastern and Western Armenian, depending on your background and needs. Every lesson is one-on-one, conversation-driven, and available online or in person.
No public Armenian group classes right now — but we can set up a semi-private class for your family, friends, or company with as few as two people. Get in touch.
Armenian class FAQ
What is the best way to learn Armenian?
Working one-on-one with a native speaker who can match the dialect you need — Eastern or Western. This matters more in Armenian than in most languages because the two dialects differ enough that learning the wrong one for your community creates confusion. A tutor also helps you learn the Armenian alphabet, which is unique to the language and essential for reading. Conversation practice is critical because Armenian has sounds and grammar patterns that textbooks alone can't prepare you for.
How long does it take to learn Armenian?
There's no official State Department estimate for Armenian, but linguists generally place it in the moderate difficulty range for English speakers — comparable to languages like Greek or Hindi. Heritage speakers who already understand spoken Armenian at home can often reach reading and writing fluency within a few months. Complete beginners should expect 6-12 months of regular study to hold everyday conversations.
Is Armenian hard for English speakers?
It has some challenges. The alphabet is unique and takes a few weeks to learn. Armenian has consonant clusters that feel unfamiliar — sounds like 'ts,' 'dz,' and aspirated stops that English doesn't distinguish. Grammar includes features like postpositions and case endings. But Armenian is Indo-European, so the underlying logic is more familiar than a language like Chinese or Arabic. And the alphabet, once learned, is perfectly phonetic.
Can I take Armenian classes online?
Yes. Our Armenian tutors teach online via video call, which is especially helpful for families in areas outside Glendale who may not have easy access to Armenian language instruction. Screen sharing works well for alphabet and reading practice. You get a consistent tutor matched to your dialect preference — Eastern or Western — with lessons designed around your specific situation.
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Since 2006 · Los Angeles
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Call 323-638-9787 or fill out our form. We match you with an instructor within 24 hours.
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