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About Esperanto

What is Esperanto?

Esperanto is the world’s most widely spoken constructed language. It was introduced in 1887 by Dr. L.L. Zamenhof (pictured above) of Warsaw, in today’s Poland, to foster international understanding by allowing people with different native languages to communicate as equals. With a vocabulary of international words and a simple yet expressive grammar, it can be learned more easily than other languages.

For over 130 years, Esperanto has maintained a vibrant international community of active speakers. They translate and produce poetry, novels, plays, films, music, games, videos, and other works in the language. Thousands of speakers of all ages and backgrounds enjoy each other’s company in local, national, and international events each year. They also use the language to see the world for free with Pasporta Servo, a travel community with hosts around the world.

Esperanto is not intended to replace any other language and has no official status in any country. It is used as a neutral working language by individuals and by international cultural, political, and educational organizations.

The internet has been a boon to Esperanto’s popularity, with speakers communicating through social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Major websites such as Google and Wikipedia are available in the language. More than a million people have taken the Esperanto course on Duolingo the popular language-learning site, since it was launched in 2015.

How to Learn Esperanto

Web-based learning

Lernu!

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.

Pasporto al la Tuta Mondo

“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.

Duolingo

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.

Ekparolu!

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

“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.

London Esperanto Club

The London Esperanto Club regularly offers online lessons for those interested in learning Esperanto remotely. These lessons provide interactive instruction and opportunities for practice, connecting learners across the world.

Courses and Events

U.S. National Conferences

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.

NASK

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

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.

Books