Writing and Pronounciation:

The Bavarian language has no own writing standard.
As it is only considered as a dialect, not a language, it is not necessary to have a standard.
Another difficulty lies in the fact that many different variaties of Bavarian exist which makes it even harder to decide on a standard.

But there are some books written in Bavarian (mostly poems and bavarian anekdotes, but also childrenbooks and recently comics).
The authors decide themselves on the writing system they want to use. Most often they stay very close on the Standartgerman. This makes it much easier to understand, but harder to read and pronounce correctly for non-mothertongue speakers. On the other hand, books written in a way close to the real pronounciation are extremly difficult to read from speakers of even another area in Bavaria, as the dialects differ. Spoken most Bavarian people do understand each other with any big problems, but reading is quite another thing. Especially because no one is used to it. Even for englisch speekars it wauld be deefikult two reed sth. wreeten in a stranche wai.

In this language course the writing will be close to the Standartgerman standard.
There are certain rules, which will make the pronounciation easier. But still it is very important to listen closely to all the spoken texts and vocabs!
Although it lookes more difficult for the learner this way, the learner will benefit greatly from being used to the Standardgerman writing.
Not only is the available literature in Bavarian close to German written bigger, also will it be easier to read and understand German.
And unless you're only in the countryside, you can't avoid German, even in Bavaria.
Somtimes alternative writing ways (and maybe pronounciation ways) are given.
The course will hold it usually to the first variant. But in "real life", you will hear both.

Vocals pronounciation:

"a" can be pronounced as a light "a", a middel "a" and a dark "a", which is almost an "o".
The dark "a" is often also written as "å". As it is easier, we will use this å-writting in this course. But be aware, that in reality it is an "a" and some people write it as "a".
Sometimes it is also written as an "o". Quite often you will see "wos" = what instead of "wås" or "was" (latter one is the Standard German equivalent).
"u" is pronounced similar to the English oo as in "Kangaroo".
"o" is pronounces as the English o.
"i" is pronounced as the English e in English.
"e" is pronounced as a in angel.