Qadam is for Urdu learners who have no or little background in Urdu. The content and learning goals were designed to match the level goals as defined by the “Common European Framework of Reference for Languages” (CEFR).
Level A1
At the end of A1, learners can “understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. They can introduce themselves and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where they live, people they know and things they have. They can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.”
Following the recommendations of the CEFR it takes approx. 80-100 lesson hours for group classes to complete the Level A1 (less for individual classes). The following table gives a summary of the topics and grammar points covered in Qadam A1.1. and Qadam A1.2.
| Topic | Grammar | |
| Chapter 1 | Introductions & greetings | Personal pronouns singular; word order in affirmative and interrogative sentences |
| Chapter 2 | My family | Personal pronouns (plural); simple present of “hona” (to be), present tense of “rehna” (to live), possessive particles, numbers |
| Chapter 3 | Going grocery shopping | Yes/no questions, possessive pronouns, indefinite articles “koi”/ “kuch”, plural forms of common noun classes, use of “chahiye”, oblique form of personal pronouns |
| Chapter 4 | My home | Adjective endings, use of “ke pas” vs. “main hona”, word building with “ka”, “ke”, “ki” |
| Chapter 5 | Daily routines & activities | Present habitual tense, time expression, expressions of frequency, word formation with “karna”, conjunctive particle “kar” |
| Chapter 6 | Hobbies & the weather | Use of parna, ana and hona present progressive tense, present habitual vs. present progressive, pasand hona, lagna and shoq se |
| Chapter 7 | Finding my way around town | Use of “wala” with people, postpositions, oblique form of nouns with postpositions, imperative forms, use of “chhana” with infinitive |
| Chapter 8 | My childhood & life-long learning | Past habitual tense, use of “sakna” and “ana” |
| Chapter 9 | Health & illnesses | Use of “karna chahiye” and “karna hona” to give advice/ make suggestions |
| Chapter 10 | Taking a trip | Future tense |
| Chapter 11 | My job & education | Simple past tense (transitive and intransitive), |
| Chapter 12 | My new clothes | Comparisons & Superlative |
| Chapter 13 | Good customer service | Causative verbs & imminent future |
| Chapter 14 | Celebrations & Holidays | Use of kyun ke & use of subjunctive for wishes |
Chapter 1-7 are part of Qadam A1.1. and Chapter 8-14 of Qadam A1.2.
By the end of the book, learners will have covered 750-1000 new words.
Level A2.1
At the end of A2, learners can “Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to
areas of most immediate relevance (e.g., very basic personal and family information, shopping, local
geography, employment). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct
exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/
her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.”
It takes approx. 50-60 lesson hours for group classes to complete the Level A2.1 (less for individual classes). The following table gives a summary of the topics and grammar points covered in Qadam A2.1.
| Topic | Grammar | |
| Chapter 1 | Arriving in a new place | Intensifying verbs lena, dena and jana; conjunctions magar, lekin, etc. |
| Chapter 2 | Moving and settling in | Present habitual of hona, stative verbs, imperatives, multi-word postpositions |
| Chapter 3 | Experiencing Pakistani foods | quantities |
| Chapter 4 | Work responsibilities and job hunt | Conditionals with agar, double causal verbs, direct and indirect objects |
| Chapter 5 | Sport and fitness | Compound verbs, use of infinitive, reflexive word |
| Chapter 6 | Career and training | Past progressive, subordinating clauses |
| Chapter 7 | Celebrations and events | Personal use of “ko”, relative sentences |
Chapter 1-7 are part of Qadam A2.1. There is currently not a book for A2.2, but we offer customized courses and materials for this intermediate level and beyond .
By the end of the A2, learners will have gained about 800-1000 new words and have a total vocabulary
level of approximately 1500-2000 words.