# How to learn Esperanto: a 30-day plan and beyond

Source: https://esperantopedia.org/learn/how-to-learn/
Language: en
Updated: 2026-10-29

> A day-by-day plan for your first 30 days of Esperanto, what to do in months 2–12, where to practise speaking, and 8 common beginner mistakes.

The most reliable way to learn Esperanto is simple: **learn the alphabet first, finish one complete beginner course, review the most common words daily, and speak with real people from the first month.** Esperanto rewards this approach because its grammar is small and regular, so you reach the point where conversation is possible sooner than in most languages. Thirty minutes a day is enough to follow the plan below.

## The first 30 days

| Days | Goal | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Read any word aloud | Learn the [28 letters and the stress rule](https://esperantopedia.org/learn/alphabet/). Read words aloud, slowly. |
| 3–5 | Survive a first exchange | Learn 20–30 [basic phrases](https://esperantopedia.org/phrases/basic/): greetings, "please", "thank you", "I don't understand". |
| 6–12 | Understand how words work | Start one course, such as our free 12-lesson [Saluton course](https://esperantopedia.org/learn/course/); [free resources](https://esperantopedia.org/learn/resources/) compares others. Learn the endings *-o, -a, -e, -i*, the verb endings *-as, -is, -os* and the plural *-j*. |
| 13–18 | Build sentences | Learn the accusative *-n* and adjective agreement. Write five short sentences about yourself every day. |
| 19–24 | Ask and answer questions | Learn the question words (*kio, kiu, kie, kiam, kial, kiel, kiom*) and their family in the [table of correlatives](https://esperantopedia.org/grammar/correlatives/). |
| 25–30 | Talk to someone | Join one online group or meeting and introduce yourself. Finish the course and start a graded reader such as *Gerda malaperis!* |

Throughout the month, review vocabulary for 10 minutes a day with spaced-repetition flashcards, such as our [flashcards for the 1,000 most common words](https://esperantopedia.org/tools/flashcards/). Start with the first 100 words, then add words from your course. Say every new word aloud.

By day 30 you should know the basic grammar, a few hundred words and how to introduce yourself. You will still understand fast speech poorly – that is normal and takes months.

## Months 2 to 12

| Period | Focus | Typical activities |
|---|---|---|
| Months 2–3 | Reading and listening | A second, longer course (for example the lernu.net course); a graded reader; short podcasts or videos twice a week |
| Months 4–6 | Regular conversation | Weekly online conversations; writing short messages in groups; learning prefixes and suffixes |
| Months 7–12 | Real use | An Esperanto event or meeting; reading a novel or Vikipedio articles; preparing for a B1 exam if you want a certificate |

How fast you move depends on time and practice. Estimates and studies are collected on [How long does it take to learn Esperanto?](https://esperantopedia.org/learn/how-long/).

## Which method works best?

Several methods work. Most successful learners combine them.

- **A structured course** gives you the grammar in a sensible order. Choose one and finish it before starting another.
- **The Zagreb method** teaches about 500 of the most frequent morphemes (roots and affixes) through connected stories. Esperanto12 follows this approach.
- **The direct method** teaches Esperanto only through Esperanto, with pictures and context. Video courses such as *Pasporto al la tuta mondo* use it.
- **Graded reading** builds vocabulary in context. Choose texts where you already know most of the words.
- **Spaced repetition** fixes vocabulary in long-term memory with little daily effort.
- **Writing with feedback** shows you your mistakes. Post short texts in learner groups or ask a tutor to correct them.
- **Shadowing** – repeating audio right after the speaker – trains rhythm and pronunciation.

Compare free courses, apps and books on [Best free resources](https://esperantopedia.org/learn/resources/).

## How can I practise speaking Esperanto?

**Online conversation.** Our [conversation circles](/talk/) are small online groups led by volunteers who speak Esperanto well, for beginners (A1–A2) and for those who already speak (B1+); people aged 18 and over can take part. If you have a question, you can write to an advisor on the same page. Some Telegram and Discord groups also organise voice chats.

**Local clubs and meetings.** Many cities have an Esperanto club or a regular meetup. National Esperanto associations list them. A local group gives you regular face-to-face practice.

**Amikumu.** This phone app, launched in 2017, shows people nearby who speak or learn the same languages. In 2022 about 60% of its members said they spoke Esperanto.

**Events and congresses.** The Universal Esperanto Association holds the **World Congress of Esperanto** (*Universala Kongreso*) every year in a different country; the first took place in 1905 in Boulogne-sur-Mer. The World Esperanto Youth Organization (TEJO) holds the **International Youth Congress** (*IJK*); in-person congresses since 2018 have had about 140 to 270 participants. Many countries also have national congresses and smaller meetings. See [the World Congress of Esperanto](https://esperantopedia.org/about/world-congress/).

**Pasporta Servo.** TEJO's free hosting network had more than 2,400 hosts in 121 countries in 2026. Staying with a host means hours of conversation in Esperanto.

**A tip for events:** speak Esperanto even with people from your own country. Switching to your native language at an Esperanto event is called *krokodili* "to crocodile" and is generally frowned upon – because it takes practice away from everyone.

## 8 common beginner mistakes

| Mistake | Wrong | Right |
|---|---|---|
| Forgetting the accusative *-n* on the direct object | *Mi vidas la kato.* | *Mi vidas la katon.* – "I see the cat." |
| Not matching adjectives with nouns | *Mi havas granda domon.* | *Mi havas grandan domon.* – "I have a big house." |
| Forgetting *-n* for direction | *Mi iras en la parko.* (= I walk around inside the park) | *Mi iras en la parkon.* – "I go into the park." |
| Mixing up *si* and *lia* | *Li lavas lian aŭton.* (= someone else's car) | *Li lavas sian aŭton.* – "He washes his (own) car." |
| Using *kio* before a noun | *Kio libro estas via?* | *Kiu libro estas via?* – "Which book is yours?" |
| Translating English phrases word for word | *Mi estas interesita en muziko.* | *Mi interesiĝas pri muziko.* – "I am interested in music." |
| Trusting false friends | *librejo* for "library" | *biblioteko* – "library"; *librejo* – "bookshop" |
| Stressing the wrong syllable | *FA-mi-li-o, TE-le-fo-no* | *fa-mi-LI-o, te-le-FO-no* |

Two more habits slow learners down: waiting too long before speaking, and switching between many apps without finishing any course. Mistakes in conversation are normal and part of learning.

## Common questions

### What is the fastest way to learn Esperanto?

Finish one short course, such as our 12-lesson [Saluton course](https://esperantopedia.org/learn/course/), learn the 100–500 most common words with [flashcards](https://esperantopedia.org/tools/flashcards/), and start speaking online in the first month. Daily practice matters more than the choice of course.

### Can I learn Esperanto on my own?

Yes. Many speakers taught themselves with books, apps and online courses. Add conversation partners once you know the basics, for example in our [conversation circles](/talk/).

### Should I learn grammar or vocabulary first?

Both at once. The core grammar is small – word endings, the accusative and the verb tenses – so learn it in the first weeks while you build vocabulary from your course.

### How do I find Esperanto speakers near me?

Check your national Esperanto association for clubs, use the Amikumu app, or look for meetups. Pasporta Servo hosts also welcome visitors who speak Esperanto.

### Is it OK to learn Esperanto with Duolingo only?

Duolingo is a good start but not enough on its own. Add a grammar explanation, reading and real conversations.

## Sources

- [PMEG: Bazaj elparolaj reguloj (stress)](https://bertilow.com/pmeg/skribo_elparolo/elparolo/bazaj_reguloj.html)
- [PMEG: N-finaĵo por direkto (accusative of direction)](https://bertilow.com/pmeg/gramatiko/rolmontriloj/n/direkto.html)
- [PMEG: Personaj pronomoj (si)](https://bertilow.com/pmeg/gramatiko/pronomoj/personaj.html)
- [Wikipedia: Amikumu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amikumu) and [Vikipedio: Amikumu (aplikaĵo)](https://eo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amikumu_(aplika%C4%B5o))
- [Vikipedio: Universala Kongreso de Esperanto](https://eo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universala_Kongreso_de_Esperanto)
- [Vikipedio: Internacia Junulara Kongreso](https://eo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internacia_Junulara_Kongreso)
- [Pasporta Servo](https://www.pasportaservo.org/)
- [Vikipedio: Krokodili](https://eo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krokodili)
- [Wikipedia: Esperanto – The Zagreb method](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esperanto#The_Zagreb_method)
- [Esperanto12](https://esperanto12.net/en/) and [the Zagreb-method course on GitHub](https://github.com/Esperanto/kurso-zagreba-metodo)