(This page is only available in English. If you were using the Esperanto version of this site, you have been redirected to the English version of this site because of this.)
You may have heard that Esperanto is the easiest language to learn, and this is mostly true. It can, at times, be difficult – especially for English speakers. While the grammar rules are simple and few, there are a lot of concepts and nuances in Esperanto which can often make it challenging. But if you’re willing to stick with it, soon those things will become second nature. In fact, Esperanto can’t be beat when it comes to standardized verbs, adverbs, nouns, adjectives, tenses, and a host of other little things that can make comprehension quick – even with words you’ve never seen!
So, you’re here because you’re interested in learning Esperanto and are looking for a way to do so as efficiently, effectively, and easily as possible. Welcome! You are taking the first step into an interesting language with an interesting culture and interesting people. And, with this first step you are joining a growing global community of people who see the value in a simple language that can cross global barriers.
The effort you put into learning Esperanto will directly dictate what you get out of it. You don’t have to spend hours in study each day to see good results quickly. We recommend spending 30 minutes per day (more if you like) in active learning, which includes activities like lessons in Duolingo or Lernu, or vocabulary building with Drops or BaBaDum. In other words, you are actively engaged in learning Esperanto.
On the flip side, there is also passive learning. This includes activities like listening to music or podcasts, or reading books or articles. This is a casual yet somewhat immersive way to learn and is meant to be done in your free time. Passive learning is vitally important to efficient learning as it exposes you to new words, how words sound, and how those words are used together.
Below is our recommended learning path. There are many resources for both active and passive learning, which will help you find success. But of course, don’t forget that your greatest resource is other Esperanto speakers! We all started at the beginning just like you, we all had our triumphs and struggles, and we are all eager to help you learn!
Week 1+
This will be your introduction to Esperanto and, as such, we recommend that you do not try to learn the language… yet. Listen to music or podcasts. Watch videos. That’s all you have to do!
Watch this video first, called “Dek Bovinoj“. Then check out the Media page for some great resources to get you started.
Week 2+
Ok, got a feel for the language? Now it’s time to start learning. There are different apps and websites you can use for this. Each has its pros and cons.
- Duolingo
Pros: Free, has a very comprehensive Esperanto course that will help you learn quickly.
Cons: Very annoying ads (unless you pay for it), and you can make only 5 mistakes before you have to wait for the next day to continue. - Lernu
Pros: Free, very structured, and uses a continuing story to keep you engaged.
Cons: Not the most user-friendly experience. - London Esperanto Club
Pros: Very low cost, live classes with Esperanto speakers.
Cons: Because it is live, you must register and stick to a schedule. - Kurso de Esperanto
Pros: Free software for Mac, Linux, and Windows; will help you learn quickly.
Cons: It’s not available for mobile devices, and sometimes the audio is difficult to understand.
You can use one of these or you can use all of them for more exposure, especially since some of these methods offer hints or further information that another may not. You’ll also want to continue passive learning as you did in week 1.
Additionally, there are a number of videos and books dedicated to helping you learn. Some recommendations:
Videos
Books
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- We host a small collection of PDF learning books on Dropbox. There, you’ll find picture-word books, dictionaries, reference sheets, and full self-learning course books.
Week 3+
This is the week when we start adding vocabulary building exercises into the mix. You’ll continue the passive learning as you did with weeks 1 and 2, and continue using your language app(s). But now you’ll be including Drops and BaBaDum, two extremely useful and fun vocabulary apps. And they are both free!
Additionally, you’ll want a good vortaro (dictionary). You don’t need anything too fancy, just simple English to Esperanto. Some good recommendations:
- iPhone: Vortaro
- Android: Esperanto English Dictionary
- Online: Glosbe
And that is literally it. Pretty simple, yes? As you become more familiar with Esperanto, usually after a few weeks, you may be ready to reach out and interact with others. One such way is via social networking groups like Facebook or BlueSky. Mia Vivo is a social network built exclusively for Esperanto speakers. You can also download Amikumu, which will allow you to connect and practice with other Esperanto speakers virtually. Of course don’t forget that we also meet monthly and would be glad to have you – check out our Meetups page for more the details.
Finally, check out the Keyboards page to find recommended Esperanto keyboards for any of your devices.
Good luck, bone lerni!
PS: Don’t forget to become a member of Esperanto USA. It will keep you apprised of national events and allow you to connect with other Esperantisto speakers across the country!
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