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Beginner · 9 steps · Free

ADLaM Foundations

Aysha Sow's beginner course, in her own recorded voice. Hear each letter, watch it written, trace it, build and type it — then syllables, the nasal sounds, the numbers, and a graded exam. Nothing here assumes you can already read ADLaM.

Start step 1 · Alphabet & first words

What you work through, in order

  1. 1

    Alphabet & first wordsLesson

    Meet every letter — hear it, watch it written, trace it, say it and compare. Then your first words.

    Start lesson
  2. 2

    SyllablesLesson

    Join a consonant with each vowel — ba, be, bi, bo, bu — the key to whole words.

    Start lesson
  3. 3

    Nasal consonantsLesson

    The prenasalised sounds nd, mb, nj, ng, with the nasal mark (nyondal).

    Start lesson
  4. 4

    Numbers 0–10Lesson

    Zero to ten, with the long-vowel, double and glottal marks.

    Start lesson
  5. 5

    Beginner examExam

    Type, unscramble and write from English prompts. 70% to pass and earn a certificate.

    Take the exam
  6. 6

    Extra practice · Browse all 28 lettersReference

    The full alphabet grid. Open any letter for its sound, forms, and how to type it.

    Browse letters
  7. 7

    Extra practice · FlashcardsFlashcards

    See a glyph, recall its name and sound. No scoring — pure recall.

    Start flashcards
  8. 8

    Extra practice · Type the lettersTyping

    Find each letter on the keyboard. Tracks accuracy and words per minute.

    Start typing
  9. 9

    Extra practice · Spaced reviewReview

    The letters you keep missing, resurfaced on a schedule until they stick.

    Start review
See my progressAfter this: Syllables & Words (Intermediate)

Romanizations, example words, and tone marks in these lessons are provisional and still being checked with native speakers.