Why use Duolingo for Estonian?
For many beginners, Duolingo lowers the barrier to entry: quick lessons, frequent feedback, and a streak that motivates daily practice. It’s ideal for building a habit, reviewing high‑frequency words, and getting comfortable with basic patterns before tackling deeper grammar.
Availability can change over time. If Estonian appears in your Duolingo language list, great—start there. If not, you can still follow a Duolingo-style routine using similar apps and free online materials. Either way, combine short app sessions with speaking, listening, and printable PDFs to progress faster.
- Bite‑size lessons that fit 5–10 minutes
- Gamified streaks and XP for motivation
- Mobile app and web access for flexibility
- Audio prompts to build listening skills
- Start as a beginner or test into higher levels
First steps for the absolute beginner (A1)
Focus on sounds, basic phrases, and word order. Estonian stress usually falls on the first syllable. Long vowels and consonants matter (aa vs. a; ll vs. l), so listen closely and mimic. Word order is generally Subject–Verb–Object, and verbs don’t conjugate for person (olen = I am, sa oled = you are).
Make a tiny phrase bank you can actually use. Print it as a one‑page PDF and keep it by your desk or phone. Practice aloud daily, even if you only have two minutes.
- Tere! = Hello!
- Aitäh / Tänan = Thank you
- Palun = Please / You’re welcome
- Mina olen… / Ma olen… = I am…
- Kuidas sul läheb? = How are you?
- Ma räägin natuke eesti keelt. = I speak a little Estonian.
- Kas sa räägid inglise keelt? = Do you speak English?
A simple daily plan with the app and free tools
Keep it light but consistent. For a beginner, 15–25 focused minutes beats an occasional marathon. Use Duolingo (or a similar app) to scaffold new words, then immediately speak, listen, and write so the language sticks.
Pick 1–2 passive days per week where you only review your PDF cheat sheet and listen to short clips. Small, repeatable habits build A1–A2 skills fast.
- 10–15 minutes: Duolingo lessons (new + review).
- 3–5 minutes: Speak aloud—shadow a short dialogue or your phrase list.
- 3–5 minutes: Mini writing—two sentences about your day (present tense).
- 2 minutes: Quick listen—slow YouTube clip or podcast snippet; note 3 words.
- Weekly: Print or update a one‑page PDF of words/phrases you actually use.
- Tools: EKI online dictionary, Forvo for pronunciation, Anki or Memrise for spaced repetition.
Core vocabulary and grammar for A1–A2
Build around everyday themes: greetings, family, food, numbers, time, directions, shopping, and simple work/study. Learn the most frequent verbs (olema = to be, minema = to go, tulema = to come, tahtma = to want, saama = can/get).
Grammar tip: Estonian has many cases, but you don’t need them all at once. Early on, meet the nominative (dictionary form) and partitive (often used for objects, quantities, and after some verbs). Learn case patterns gradually with lots of examples rather than memorizing tables in isolation.
Word order is flexible, but neutral SVO works for beginners. Yes–no questions can be asked with kas at the start (Kas sul on…? = Do you have…?).
- Numbers 1–100; clock time and dates
- Question words: mis (what), kes (who), kus (where), millal (when), miks (why), kuidas (how)
- Polite basics: Palun, Aitäh, Vabandust (sorry/excuse me)
- Noun + adjective agreement: a small handful at A1 is enough
- Partitive with quantities: üks kohv (one coffee), kaks kohvi (two coffees)
Go beyond the app: listening and speaking
Apps are great, but real progress comes from using the language. Shadow short audio daily, repeat after speakers, and record yourself. Pair your Duolingo routine with short, clear input and low‑pressure conversation.
Keep it free and online where possible. Save links and export notes into a personal PDF handbook you update weekly—your custom mini‑textbook.
- Listening: slow YouTube lessons, children’s stories, ERR radio snippets
- Speaking: language exchange (5–10 min topic chats), self‑talk while cooking
- Reading: menus, signs, graded readers; underline new words
- Writing: 3‑sentence diary; recycle yesterday’s vocabulary
- Spaced repetition: Anki deck with audio; 10–15 cards/day
FAQ
- Does Duolingo have Estonian for English speakers?
- Course availability can change. Open the Duolingo app or website, check the language list, and search for Estonian. If it’s not visible for your account yet, follow the same daily plan with similar apps and free online resources.
- How long will it take to reach A2 level?
- With 20–25 focused minutes a day (app + speaking + listening + short writing), many learners can reach solid A1 and approach A2 in about 3–6 months. Consistency, review, and real usage matter more than long sessions.
- Where can I find free PDF materials for beginners?
- Search for “Estonian A1 PDF,” “Estonian phrasebook PDF,” or university course handouts. Create your own one‑page cheat sheets with top verbs, cases, and phrases you actually use—printing them keeps review quick and handy.
- How should I practice pronunciation?
- Stress the first syllable, listen for long vs. short vowels and consonants, and shadow native audio. Use Forvo for word‑by‑word models, then record yourself and compare. Short daily drills beat occasional long practices.
- What’s a balanced resource stack for beginners?
- Duolingo (or similar app) for structure, an online dictionary (EKI), a spaced‑repetition deck (Anki/Memrise), a concise grammar PDF, and 2–3 short listening sources. Add a weekly conversation or language exchange for speaking confidence.