Alphabet & first words

Getting started with D1

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.

Work through a letter lesson

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.

Listen and repeat

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. These recordings are gradually being reviewed and adapted towards 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.

Write with touch, a stylus or a mouse

Open the writing step or writing guide. In letter practice, “Demonstrate” 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 removes the drawing on the current sheet.

Homework comes at the end

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.

After the alphabet: numbers and first sentences

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.

Understand your progress

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.

Back up and restore your progress

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.

If something does not work

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: Check the app address, browser and private browsing mode. Private browsing may discard progress when you close it. You can restore a previously exported backup.

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