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About Esperanto

If you are wondering how to learn Esperanto, this guide covers the best resources and courses available today.

What is Esperanto?

Esperanto is the world’s most widely spoken constructed language. It was introduced in 1887 by Dr. L.L. Zamenhof of Warsaw, in today’s Poland. With a vocabulary of international words and a simple yet expressive grammar, it can be learned more easily than other languages.

Esperanto speakers translate and create literature, films, music, video games, and other works in the language. They travel the world for free with Pasporta Servo, a hospitality service with hosts around the world, and attend international congresses, forming friendships across national and linguistic boundaries.

How to Learn Esperanto

Esperanto-USA also collaborates with the London Esperanto Club to offer lessons at times better suited to North American time zones. These lessons provide interactive instruction and opportunities for practice, connecting learners across the world.

Duolingo offers a fun and interactive way to learn Esperanto through bite-sized lessons and engaging activities. Users can practice vocabulary, grammar, and conversation skills, all while earning points and progressing through levels.

Pasporto al la Tuta Mondo is a video course designed to teach Esperanto through an engaging story and practical dialogues. Ideal for self-study, it helps learners build language skills by following the adventures of its characters around the world.

Lernu! is a comprehensive website for learning Esperanto, offering free courses, exercises, and resources for all skill levels. Users can practice reading, writing, and listening skills through interactive lessons and join a community of fellow learners.

Ekparolu is an online platform that connects Esperanto learners with fluent speakers for real-time conversation practice via video or text chat. It provides an opportunity to improve speaking and listening skills through immersive conversations with native or advanced speakers.

Esperanto in 12 Lessons is a concise textbook for learning Esperanto, designed to guide beginners through the basics of the language. Each lesson builds on the previous one, helping learners gain proficiency with clear explanations and practical exercises.

Courses and Events

U.S. National Conferences

E-USA logo on how to learn esperanto

Each year, Esperanto-USA holds a national convention known as the Landa Kongreso. This event is hosted in different regions across the United States, providing an opportunity for Esperantists from various parts of the country to come together, share their experiences, and celebrate their shared language and culture. Occasionally, the convention is held in neighboring countries, such as Canada or Mexico, with the collaboration of their respective national Esperanto organizations.

Learn Esperanto at NASK

NASK logo for learn esperanto

NASK (Nord-Amerika Somera Kursaro de Esperanto) is a summer study program emphasizing active use of Esperanto in intercultural communication, comprehension, and collaboration lead by the Esperantic Studies Foundation. With the help of author William Auld, it was founded in 1970 by Catherine and William Schulze at San Francisco State University to train Esperanto instructors and improve the language skills of North American speakers of Esperanto. NASK is actively supported by Esperanto-USA.

Eventa servo on how to learn Esperanto

Eventa Servo

Eventa Servo is a comprehensive platform dedicated to listing and discovering events related to the Esperanto community. It serves as a central hub for finding local and international events such as meetups, conferences, workshops, and cultural festivals. The platform allows users to search for events by location, date, and type, making it easy to connect with other Esperanto speakers and participate in community activities.

Learn Esperanto with Textbooks