Start here: Alphabet and dialects
Begin with the Armenian alphabet. It looks new, but it’s phonetic, so letters mostly match sounds. Spend a week on letters, handwriting, and reading simple syllables. Avoid overusing transliteration—learn the script early to build real reading confidence.
There are two main standards: Eastern Armenian (used in Armenia) and Western Armenian (diaspora communities). For most online learners and beginners, Eastern is more common in apps and courses. Choose one and stick to it to avoid mixing forms.
- Learn 5–7 letters per day, read short syllables.
- Use free alphabet printables or a pdf handwriting sheet.
- Install an Armenian keyboard for quick practice.
A simple A1–A2 routine
Short, steady sessions beat long marathons. Aim for 20–30 minutes daily. Split time between the alphabet, core phrases, and listening. Repeat small sets often; beginners learn faster with spaced repetition and frequent review.
Focus on useful themes: greetings, numbers, food, directions, and basic verbs. Keep sentences short and build from patterns. Track your wins—two new words a day can take you far in a few months.
- 5 minutes: alphabet review and handwriting.
- 10 minutes: vocabulary with spaced repetition (Anki/Memrise).
- 10 minutes: mini-dialogues or slow listening.
- 5 minutes: read one short sentence aloud.
Best online tools and apps
Mix one structured course with quick daily tools. Apps make practice easy, but pair them with reading and listening to cover all skills. Many excellent resources are free, especially for the alphabet and beginner phrases.
duolingo offers a gentle start for Eastern Armenian basics. Complement it with a vocabulary app and a reference grammar or pdf phrase list to understand patterns, not just tap answers.
- duolingo: bite-size practice for absolute beginner habits.
- Anki or Memrise: spaced repetition decks for words.
- YouTube: slow dialogues, alphabet lessons, pronunciation drills.
- Online dictionaries: Armenian–English with example sentences.
- Free pdfs: alphabet charts, handwriting sheets, basic phrasebooks.
Practice reading, listening, speaking
Reading: start with the alphabet, then syllables, then tiny words. Move to short, vowel-heavy words and mini dialogues. Print a simple pdf reader or graded text to avoid overwhelm.
Listening and speaking: use slow audio with transcripts. Shadow (repeat) one sentence at a time. Record yourself saying greetings, numbers, and simple questions. Build a tiny script for daily small talk.
- Read one mini dialogue twice a day.
- Listen to slow audio; shadow 5 sentences.
- Say your name, origin, and a greeting aloud.
- Label 5 household items in Armenian.
- Keep a one-page cheat sheet of core verbs.
Common pitfalls and how to avoid them
Pitfall: delaying the alphabet. Fix: learn letters in week one; read easy words daily. Pitfall: mixing Eastern and Western. Fix: commit to one variety and adjust later if needed.
Pitfall: passive app use. Fix: speak aloud and write by hand. Pitfall: word hoarding. Fix: learn words inside short sentences so grammar and usage stick.
- Review 10 old words for every 5 new ones.
- Turn every new word into a short sentence.
- Use a small, consistent resource set.
- Schedule a weekly “mini test” and celebrate progress.
FAQ
- Is Armenian hard for English-speaking beginners?
- It’s different, but manageable. The alphabet looks new, yet it’s phonetic, and grammar is logical. With daily 20–30 minute sessions, most learners can reach solid A1–A2 basics in a few months.
- Should I learn the alphabet first or use transliteration?
- Learn the Armenian alphabet first. Spend a week on letters and syllables, then read tiny words. Transliteration can help briefly, but switching early builds real reading and pronunciation skills.
- What’s the best app to learn Armenian online?
- Start with duolingo for consistent habits, then add Anki or Memrise for spaced repetition. Combine apps with slow audio and a short grammar or pdf phrase list for balanced progress.
- Where can I find free pdf resources?
- Search for free pdf alphabet charts, handwriting practice pages, and A1 phrasebooks. Many teachers share printable worksheets and mini readers; combine them with your app routine.
- How long to reach A2 in Armenian?
- With 20–30 minutes daily, expect roughly 3–6 months to reach A2 basics: everyday phrases, short texts, simple conversations. Consistency, not session length, drives progress.