This article may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For full information, please see the disclaimer here.
If you think the word Jõululaululaulja is a typo, this article is for you!
It’s great that you’re interested in learning Estonian. It is, after all, spoken by about 1.1 million people and is one of the official languages of the European Union. Aside from that, Estonia is a beautiful Baltic destination that deserves a visit (or two or more). And what better way to make the most of your travel than to speak to the locals?
Learning Estonian is challenging. The U.S. Foreign Service Institute lists Estonian as a Category III language, which means it’s a hard language to learn for English speakers. But so are other languages.
Estonian, despite the challenges it poses, is a fun language. And it’s certainly not impossible to tackle when you have reliable resources. I highly recommend getting started with these great books to learn Estonian. Let’s go!
Top books to learn Estonian
1. Complete Estonian Beginner to Intermediate Book and Audio Course
This Estonian textbook and audio course is one of the best because it teaches you everything you need to know about the language. It’s a great place to start for beginners and a great resource for those looking to improve their language skills.
You’ll see how it makes learning so much fun by categorizing the lessons into everyday situations. For example, the course is divided into lessons such as “Let’s get acquainted,” “At the bar/coffee shop,” “Ordering services,” and so on.
Vocabulary, grammar, reading, listening, and writing are all covered in each section. What’s more, each lesson includes an exercise that covers all aspects so that you can put your knowledge to the test before moving on to the next part.
This course also includes dialogs that you can listen to and use to improve your pronunciation.
Key features:
- Focuses on vocabulary, grammar, reading, and listening skills
- Has exercises to put you to the test
- Helps in improving your pronunciation
2. Colloquial Estonian: The Complete Course for Beginners
Regardless of the languages taught in each book, the Colloquial series is always explicit.
Christopher Moseley’s extensive experience shows how he simplifies the complexities of Estonian grammar in Colloquial Estonian. It also includes a vocabulary and pronunciation guide, as well as exercises to keep your mind sharp.
This course, like the Complete Estonian course mentioned above, is divided into lessons based on everyday scenarios.
All of this makes this book a favorite among beginners who are just getting started with self-teaching.
Key features:
- A complete beginner’s guide to the Estonian language
- Simplifies Estonian grammar and highlights key vocabulary
- Includes several exercises
3. Estonian Language: 101 Estonian Verbs
101 Estonian Verbs is considered a beginner’s guide to, well, Estonian verbs. If that sounds too simple, it’s because it is. But it’s also detailed — not only teaching you the most commonly used Estonian verbs in all of their tenses but also demonstrating their usage.
You’ll also notice that all verbs are conjugated, allowing you to understand them in all of their different forms. This book is so comprehensive and concise that after finishing it, you’ll feel one step closer to mastering Estonian verbs.
Key features:
- A detailed guide to Estonian verbs
- Explanation of verbs in all tenses
- Presenting conjugated verbs
4. Estonian Textbook: Grammar – Exercises – Conversation
This Estonian textbook was and still is one of the most comprehensive books for learning the language. Hats off to Juhan Tuldava, the book’s author, for putting together such a well-organized and easy-to-read book.
From verbs to grammatical Estonian concepts, the book covers it all. Each piece of information is supported by several examples to help you better understand it with all of its variations. Tuldava also made sure to cover the most mind-blogging conjugations and complex grammar principles in the simplest way possible.
Additionally, there are many exercises throughout the book to help you retain what you’ve learned.
Key features:
- Simply explains all of the language’s complexities
- Contains various exercises
- Includes a glossary at the end
5. Learn Estonian With Word Search Puzzles
Now, here’s something challenging and fun!
Learn Estonian with Word Search Puzzles is exactly how it sounds. It contains multiple puzzles for various Estonian word categories. You get vocabulary related to colors, numbers, weather, body parts, fruits, etc.
Aside from being a fun way to improve your language skills, it’s also a great way to spend your free time. Every time you pull it out, you’ll learn something new or confirm something you already knew.
Key features:
- Challenges your brain to learn Estonian faster
- Includes a variety of puzzles to help you improve your vocabulary
- A simple educational tool to help you remember the language
6. My First Estonian Alphabets Picture Book with English Translations
If you want your little one to learn Estonian, this one’s for you. This book is appropriate for children aged two to 12, and it’s an excellent starting point for them to learn the language.
My First Estonian Book contains the Estonian alphabet and words, all explained in a simple and child-friendly manner. Each alphabet is presented on its own page with bright colors and pictures to keep the child engaged.
However, this book doesn’t come with an audio version. So it’s up to you to help them with the pronunciation, or you can use an external resource.
Key features:
- An excellent stepping stone for children to learn Estonian
- Teaches children the Estonian alphabet and words
- There are pictures to help kids understand faster
7. Tiny Stories for Estonian Learners
Reading translated stories is, without a doubt, a great technique for learning a foreign language. This storybook has 25 unconventional and entertaining Estonian short stories that are translated into English. Each story has a different genre ranging from romance to thrillers.
You’ll gain a better knowledge of Estonian terminology by seeing how it’s constructed in a story. This is the main reason I like reading stories in whichever language I’m studying — it’s both entertaining and educational.
Key features:
- Includes 25 interesting Estonian stories
- A fun way to become acquainted with the language
- Exhibit different forms of using Estonian vocabulary
8. Learn Estonian in 52 Weeks
If you’re looking for a long-term resource for learning Estonian, check out Learn Estonian in 52 Weeks. This book is primarily for beginners who want to become more familiar with the language and are willing to commit to at least a year of study.
The book contains 2,500 sentences to learn and 52 tests to check your progress, covering the most commonly used Estonian words and phrases. The sentences and tests also get progressively more challenging.
This book is written in a simple, straightforward manner, allowing the mind to easily grasp the information. Thus, you’ll be able to navigate the Estonian language and understand it in no time. Or maybe just in time for your visit to Estonia.
Key features:
- Covers essential Estonian words and phrases
- Simple and easy to understand
- Quickly familiarizes you with the Estonian language
Wrap up
These books to learn Estonian are great resources to get started in your learning journey. But even if you’re an intermediate or advanced learner, they can still be useful. And for a well-rounded learning experience, why don’t you try using apps to learn Estonian too?
By the way, if you haven’t already looked it up, Jõululaululaulja means “Christmas caroler” in Estonian. That’s one new word in your Estonian vocab list!
Top books to learn Estonian – Pin it!
Very good help . Thanks