Estonian Language Online

Do you want to learn Estonian language online? Here are a few interesting resources available, and good links to find more information about Estonian language and culture:

BBC Essential Phrases - Estonian 12 phrases in Estonian with audio available for download (mp3), useful for your first day in Estonia, or to practice pronunciation.


The Estonian Institute has created a book with general information about Estonian language, it's ideal to get a background before starting to study. Estonian Language (pdf)

Learning Estonian - Language Schools

If you are beginning to learn Estonian, a good language teacher can do wonders! Many foreigners I've met learned a basic Estonian (that they could speak and understand with people in the streets) before the end of one study semester (not my case, though).

Of course you can learn in the Estonian Universities (like Tartu University and Tallinn University), but they are usually more expensive and don't offer many time options. A good hint is to go for an Estonian Language School. There you will meet others foreigners interested in Estonia from many different parts of the world (and it's helpful when your colleagues know English and other languages, like Russian or German). Usually, you pay a semester fee (around 2500 eek) for 2 classes per week, with 2 academic hours (45 min) per class, and get the materials for your level.

Language Centers in Tallinn

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TEA
TEA Language Center has been teaching foreign languages, such as English, German, Finnish, and Estonian, since it was established in 1988. In 1991, due to a lack of high quality foreign language textbooks, TEA Publishers was established. The languages currently taught at TEA Language School are: English, Estonian, Russian, French, Spanish, Italian, Finnish, Swedish, German, Japanese, Chinese, Arabic.

ILS
The ILS group of schools was established in 1998 in Tallinn, with our sister schools in Riga and Vilnius, we are able to offer a truly Pan-Baltic Service. Whoever you are and whatever you do International Language Services will try to provide the language course for you. At ILS we aim to provide top quality language training at prices which are affordable.

Language Centers in Tartu

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Tartu RahvaÜlikool
Tartu Folk High School Training Centre offers training courses for adults. Our school is open to all who wish to develop their talents, refresh their knowledge, or learn something new in order to cope with life. Language Courses: English, Estonian as foreign language, French, Finnish, Swedish, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Dutch.

Dialoog
Dialoog offer possibilities to study Estonian, Russian, English, and the Finnish languages in Estonia. As you can see, we are offering the same services as others, but if you value professionalism, flexibility, and accuracy, you are in the right place. In addition, we already have 14-years experience in offering these services.


In Estonia, the academic year starts on September till December (Autumn semester), then a short winter break, returning in February till June (Spring Semester). It's always better to start from September, so schedule yourself!

Do you have any feedback about these Language Schools? Want to recommend another? Post it in the Comments!

Estonian Language - Books

If you are decided to learn Estonian Language, a good book will help you out.
Unfortunately is not so easy to find books about Estonian language in English.

In Estonian

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E Nagu Eesti
The first Estonian language textbook and most used by foreigners to learn Estonian. All his 30 chapters doesn't have one single word in English, but includes a useful Estonian dictionary (Estonian to German/Russian/Finnish/English). NB! It requires a teacher (or a Estonian friend) to understand its lessons. Can be found for 12 euros in TEA (Estonian Publisher / Language company).

Naljaga pooleks
This book is used by Tartu University foreigners that want to learn Estonian for entering Estonian courses in University (in other words, its the best available). Includes a CD (50 minutes) with sound exercises, and can be found for 20 euros in Apollo (one of the biggest book shops in Estonia).

In English

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Colloquial Estonian
First book made for English speakers, with many explanations about Estonian grammar. It starts easy, with English translations till chapter 5. Then Estonian is more used. The book has an audio CD (sold separately), and can be found in Amazon.com for around 35 USD. This book is commonly found at public libraries in Estonia, so you can try it before you buy it.

Teach Yourself Estonian
From the same authors of 'Naljaga pooleks', a self study textbook for English speakers (not available yet), pre-release listed in Amazon.com for 35 USD (I believe that it will be better than the above one).

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As far as I know, there's many books for Germans and Russians to learn Estonians
(basically because of historical reasons). There are many dictionaries available also between those languages.

If you happen to know the name of a good book for learning Estonian (in English, German, Russian or any language) feel free to add it in the comments.

Estonian Language - Tere Tulemast!

Estonian language belongs to the Finnic branch of Finno-Ugric group of languages (check out the family tree picture).

Of the ancient European languages, Basque in the Pyrenees, the Finno-Ugric languages in the North, and Caucasian languages (e.g. Georgian) in the southeastern corner of Europe have managed to survive. As you can see, it's not related to the neighbouring Indo-European languages such as Russian, Latvian and Swedish.

Estonian language uses the Latin alphabet (including the letters Õ Ä Ö Ü), is often pronounced like is read, with word stress fixed on the first syllable. This makes it very easy to start learning, reading and speaking!

The Estonian Institute has many interesting publications (available online) about Estonian culture, including this booklet about Estonian Language. It shows many different aspects of the language, and it's easy to read.

When in Estonia, speak like Estonians! You can practice some basics online with BBC languages. Or you can hear a little from my Estonian friend:

Tere, mina olen Anna-lisa, olen pärit Eestis, ja õpin Tartus.
Hi, my name is Anna-lisa, I'm from Estonia, and study in Tartu.

Easy? Difficult? Tell me what you think about Estonian Language in the comments!