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.

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.

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.