104A with Mrs. Hovhanissyan was quite a journey and well worth it. I spoke and understood Armenian, but I didn't know how to read or write at the beginning of the class. At the beginning of the class, everybody had a different goal, which Mrs. Hovhanissyan understood. She judged you based on how much effort you put in and your improvement every day, week, etc. Most assignments are done as a class, and homework is discussed as a group, so be prepared to contribute. This is good because it ensures you stay on top of your work and actually learn. If you fall behind, she's more than happy to help out, but don't be shy to speak up. For example, one time, I didn't study the material, and we had a surprise pop quiz. It wasn't difficult at all; I just didn't study a few vocabulary words, but she allowed those who messed up to make up the pop quiz through a retake. The exams are oral vocabulary tests and written tests, but you are told what to study, and it will never be something you haven't seen before. She also tends to give practice exams and tells you exactly what to study. As long as you keep a mutual level of respect, you will earn an A+, especially because she wants to give everybody an A as long as they put in the work and show that they want to learn. It is a small classroom setting and very interactive, so it's super easy to make friends. The class was well worth the time I put in, because I was able to learn how to read and write within one quarter.

This was by far the most group-oriented and interactive class of the 104 series. The workload in terms of learning vocabulary and homework was much less. We spent about half of the class working on a class project, being split up into different groups and all contributing somehow, someway. We learned new vocabulary, and our homework consisted mainly of answering questions about texts we read, learning about various famous places in Armenia. We were able to use all of the skills we learned in previous Armenian classes and use them. We did a few fun group presentations and activities, which felt more like fun than hard work. At the end of the class, we had a final written exam and an oral vocabulary exam, which was very doable. Personally, I messed up on a section of the exam, and Mrs. Hovhannisyan allowed me to do extra credit to bump my grade from an A to an A+ ! It was overall one of my favorite classes at UCLA, and I made a lot of friends within the class, because it was so interactive.

For intermediate Armenian speakers, readers, and writers. It is better to take this class if you have either taken 104A or have at least a bit of knowledge of reading, writing, and speaking, but want to improve. If you are already too advanced or don't know enough, you likely won't be able to take it. That aside, 104B with Mrs. Hovhannisyan was great. Having learned how to read and write in 104A, this class was focused on refining skills and improving upon reading texts and answering questions about them, writing, and learning new vocabulary. This class I found to be much more interactive, especially because we paired up a lot to practice reading to each other and studying the new vocabulary words we learned together. Homeworks were discussed as a class. Overall, a great class, definitely worth taking. If you put in the work and show that you are trying, you will get an A. I was always a slower reader and test taker in Armenian, but Mrs. Hovhanissyan understood and took that into account. Try your best, and you'll enjoy 104B. Also, Mrs. Hovhanissyan always gives extra credit opportunities to give a bump to your grade as close to an A+ as possible, but be prepared to put in the work for it. It's better to attend class and participate so you won't have to make up assignments. This class will also help you build confidence, because everybody gets a chance to speak, present, and answer questions. She is very compassionate, both when you mess up and when you do well. The exams are usually oral vocabulary exams and written, but are very doable as long as you keep up, especially because she gives practice exams and tells you what to study.

Dr. Hovhannisyan is a very caring professor and loves engagement and because of that your grade is mostly determined by class participation and the relative improvement she sees for each student. She separates the class by native speakers and non-native speakers so no one with previous knowledge has an advantage. As long as you show up, care, and are engaged in the class you will likely get an A.

I really appreciated Professor Hovhannisyan's approach to teaching in this class. The pace was steady, and she explained everything in a way that made it easy to follow along without feeling rushed. The assignments weren’t heavy, but they pushed me to actually practice and improve more and more. What stood out was how consistent the class felt. Each week built on the last, so it was easy to see progress over time. The discussions in Armenian were relaxed but still helpful, and participating didn’t feel stressful. I also liked that she checked in with us often and adjusted explanations depending on where people seemed confused. By the end of the quarter, I realized my speaking skills had improved more than I expected. Overall, it was a good learning experience, and I’d recommend the class if you want an environment that’s supportive without being overly intense.

Professor Hovhannisyan teaches in a very calm and clear way, and it made the material feel approachable no matter your starting level. The assignments were reasonable and always connected well with what we were learning, and she checked in often to make sure everyone was following along. Our discussions were interesting, and over time I noticed myself becoming more comfortable speaking than I ever expected. Her enthusiasm for the language makes the class feel meaningful, and it’s clear she cares about her students’ progress. I’m really glad I took this class and would definitely sign up for more courses with her in the future.

Professor Hovhannisyan was genuinely a great instructor. She was always patient, clear, and organized, which made the class feel manageable even for students with different levels of Armenian. She explained our homework during class and made sure we understood what was expected, and the workload was fair. The oral assignments and exams were explained well in advance, so there were no surprises. Class discussions were engaging, and she created an environment where people felt comfortable participating and asking questions. She paid attention to how everyone was doing and offered help when needed without making anyone feel singled out. Overall, I really appreciated her teaching style and the atmosphere she created. One of the better professors I’ve had at UCLA.

I dont usually leave reviews for classes, but I just felt I had to for this one. Every class was very interesting and I always looked forward to coming to class. Professor Hovhanissyan knows a lot about
Armenian history, language, culture, traditions, and society. You will learn many new things every day. The topics are very interesting; we discussed Armenian holidays, old traditions, new changes in Armenian society, and many other miscellaneous topics. The class is almost entirely just a discussion between the professor and the students. Its a small class and you will do very well if you show up to class. Professor Hovhanissyan is very kind and cares deeply about each student. She gives each student a chance to participate. Homework assignments were usually watching a video or podcast that we would then discuss in class. The class is done in Armenian. I didn’t speak that good but she understood and I still did very well. I also learned how to speak better Armenian. Overall, I would recommend this class to anyone at UCLA interested in learning about Armenian society. Professor Hovhanissyan and this class specifically also inspired me to pursue the Armenian Studies Minor.

Professor Hovhannisyan’s class has honestly been one of my favorite parts of last quarter. She’s incredibly patient and explains everything in a way that makes you want to learn more. The coursework is thoughtful and manageable, and she always makes sure you’re keeping up and actually understanding the material. You can tell she truly cares about her students and wants them to do well. I’ve grown so much in Armenian thanks to her, and I’m really grateful for the effort she puts into every class. She comes to every class with enthusiasm and the discussions we have in Armenian are very interesting. After improving my Armenian language skills in this class, I decided a present a project on Armenian language in the UCLA 9th Annual Colloquium in Armenian Studies. Even I an surprised how far I have come in speaking
Armenian because of Professor Hovhanissyan. I wish there were more classes like this and will continue taking classes she offers.

This class was one of my favorite ones I have taken at UCLA. Professor Hovhanissyan is not only great at teaching Armenian but she is also understanding of students’ proficiency levels in Eastern Armenian. When I took this class, I only knew the
Armenian letters and could read very slow. She was very understanding and assigned me targeted assignments, which are usually just writing or reading a small paragraph. The class is conducted in Eastern Armenian, which further improved my
Armenian speaking skills. By the end of the class, I could read and write much faster and had more confidence speaking Armenian with my friends and family. Professor Hovhanissyan truly cares about each student and does everything she can to ensure she provides ample opportunities for each student to do well in class. If she sees you trying to improve, you will do very well in the class. I am glad the Armenian department at UCLA has incredible lectures like her!