PRESENT TENSE OF VERBS...CONFUSED...TAUGHT DIFFERENTLY IN THIS PROGRAM THAN OTHER ONLINE....

IN THE PRESENT TENSE SECTION IN THIS PROGRAM...WE ARE TAUGHT WE ADD BA, BIT, BIN, BIY, ETC (AND IT'S ENDINGS) TO THE INFINITIVE....

ON ALL OTHER ONLINE PROGRAMS THEY ARE TEACHING TO ADD A, TA, YA, NA (AND IT'S APPROPRIATE ENDINGS)....

I AM NOW VERY CONFUSED.  LET'S START WITH "TO SPEAK"  IT IS CONJUGATED DIFFERENTLY THAN ANY OTHER PROGRAM ONLINE....HELP!

To form the simple present tense, the prefix  bi  is often added to the basic conjugation of the verb.    The use of the   bi  prefix is used when denoting continuous action and the lack of the  bi  prefix would be to denote the present that isn't continuous.  

http://arabictuts.blogspot.com/2009/08/present-tense.html

I learn that sa- is prefixed to the word to denote future action. Is that only in MSA?

It's probably because this is Egyptian arabic and the other programs you were using online might not have been specifically Egyptian arabic. 

Hi Candice,
Actually The first form you mentioned is valid in case of formal Arabic (فصحى)  while the second form is specific for Egyptian Arabic (عامية) which is being taught here.
Please take care which form of Arabic you want to learn before studying its grammar to avoid this kind of confusion.

Best wishes.

 

Eiman-k-elmasry always being a good helper! shukran habibty!