Alphabet & first words

Applies to the new home screen from Android test build 5 and iOS TestFlight build 10. Earlier builds may show different buttons; update the app when the new test build is available.

1. Open the Alef Mad main app. Your existing purchases are checked automatically with the store account on your device.
2. If you have purchased D1, find it under “My full versions” and select “Open full version”. You do not need to repeat the demo after closing and reopening the app.
3. If you have not purchased D1, its free demo and purchase option remain under “Explore the levels”. Each level is unlocked separately; buying one does not buy the others.
4. If a purchased level is missing, select “Restore purchases” on the home screen. Use the same Apple Account or Google Account as for the original purchase. Do not purchase the level again.

After a purchase is confirmed, the demo entry for that level is replaced by direct full-version access. An old demo link also leads to the full version after purchase verification. On Android, an internet connection is currently needed to verify and load full content. Store purchases are separate for Apple and Google; they do not automatically transfer between stores.

Start with the six introductory activities in the learning path. Then move on to the alphabet. You do not need to speak Dari/Farsi or already be able to read words.

1. Open D1 and choose English or German under “Sprache / Language”.
2. Work through the introductory activities in order.
3. Continue with the first letter unit: Alef with Mad.
4. Follow the alphabet one letter at a time.

Each letter unit takes you through seven steps. Listen to the name, look at the character, practise recognition and writing, then reach the completion screen. The step indicator shows your position.

The alphabet overview contains all 32 letters with audio. آ with Mad is an additional form in the learning path, making 33 units in total.

1. Open a letter from the learning path.
2. Listen to its name and compare the shape and dots.
3. Complete the recognition and writing activities.
4. Continue to the completion screen, where homework is available.

The completion screen shows your example word, its meaning in English or German, and a pronunciation guide. “Listen to the whole word” plays the complete word recording. The audio buttons next to individual letters play their names.

Tap the speaker symbol or audio button next to a letter, word or text. Tap again to repeat the recording. Listen first, then say it yourself.

Recordings come from different sources. Some use synthetic voices with Iranian Persian pronunciation. We are reviewing these recordings and gradually replacing them with Dari pronunciation. Transliteration is an approximate learning aid. Your pronunciation is not assessed automatically.

1. Check your volume and tap an audio button.
2. Look at the matching text and read its meaning.
3. Listen again when needed and repeat it aloud.

Open the writing step or writing guide. In letter practice, the demonstration shows the strokes; the single-step control lets you follow them slowly. Word and sentence practice uses templates and the available writing guidance.

The writing area is for practice, not automatic handwriting recognition. Check the shape, dots, baseline and connections yourself. You can also practise on paper.

1. Select the appropriate template and look at it carefully.
2. Write in the practice area. The undo control removes only the most recent stroke.
3. Hide the template and try writing from memory.
4. Compare your writing with the example. “Clear writing area” removes your drawing from the current sheet.

After completing the letter lesson, open its homework. It covers recognition, listening and choosing, writing, and checking your own work.

The checkbox confirms that you have compared your writing yourself. It does not replace the recognition and listening activities. Homework is marked complete when its required parts are done.

1. Find the requested letter.
2. Listen to the name and choose the matching character.
3. Write the letter and compare it with the template.
4. Confirm your self-check.
5. Choose the next-letter button or practise the homework again. After the final letter, continue to numbers.

The additional numbers lesson covers 0–20. Each number has its own audio. Combine listening, writing and the self-test.

A follow-on course also offers 20 word and sentence lessons. The alphabet and this course are separate learning areas.

1. Open the numbers lesson and tap a number to hear it.
2. Practise writing it and complete the self-test.
3. Continue to the word and sentence lessons, or revisit letters you find difficult.

D1 displays the introductory activities, alphabet, word and sentence course, and numbers as separate areas. Completing a letter lesson is different from completing its homework.

Points and daily targets reflect practice, not a language qualification. The timer measures active work rather than counting long idle periods as continuous study.

1. Open “Progress” and check the relevant learning area.
2. Open the alphabet statistics for letter and homework details.
3. Use the full D1 backup to take your learning data with you.

Your progress is stored locally in the app on your device. Export a backup before changing devices or deleting app data. Restoring purchases restores access to purchased levels; learning progress is restored separately from your backup.

Back up your progress before changing devices or clearing browser data. Each backup belongs to its own level. Keep the file outside the app.

1. Open “Progress” or the learning statistics.
2. Download a backup and save the JSON file.
3. Open the same level on the other device.
4. Load the backup, choose the file and confirm that it should replace the progress on that device.
5. Check your lessons, homework and saved handwriting afterwards.

No sound: Check volume, audio output and headphones, then start the recording by tapping it. Reload the page once if playback gets stuck.

Missing progress: Make sure you have opened the same level on the same device. Restore a previously exported backup within that level. Restoring purchases and restoring learning progress are separate steps. In the browser demos, also check that you are using the same browser; private browsing may discard progress when you close it.

Unclear pronunciation: Note the level, lesson and exact word or passage. Send these details and your suggested pronunciation to support@alefmad.com.

The Windows main app includes D1–D5, each with a free demo lesson. For current availability and pricing, see Alef Mad in the Microsoft Store. Check the offers shown in the app before purchasing a full level.

Navigation and learning features follow the Android version. Under Sprache / Language, select the German or British flag for the language of explanations. Dari/Farsi remains the language you learn. Writing supports a mouse, touchscreen or stylus.

In the Store version, use the same Microsoft Store account for purchases and restoration. Google Play and Apple App Store purchases do not transfer automatically. Purchase verification and downloading full content require an internet connection.

Progress stays locally in the Windows app. Back it up for each level before changing devices or resetting the app. “Restore purchases” restores access to your purchased levels. It does not restore your learning progress. If there is no sound, check Windows audio output and the volume mixer for Alef Mad.