# Learn Estonian with NativePal > Learn Estonian with NativePal: levelled reading, vocabulary with spaced repetition, and pronunciation coaching. Free app for iOS and Android. ## Quick facts - Native name: Eesti - Speakers: 1+ million speakers worldwide - Spoken in: Estonia - Writing system: Latin alphabet, 32 letters - FSI difficulty category: III - Estimated study to professional working proficiency: 1100 hours (about 44 weeks full-time, per the US Foreign Service Institute) - Proficiency framework: CEFR (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2) ## What English speakers find hardest about Estonian - **Fourteen cases**: Like Finnish, Estonian uses case endings where English uses prepositions, covering into, inside, out of, onto and so on. - **Three degrees of length**: Estonian distinguishes short, long and overlong sounds, and the difference is not shown in spelling. Three otherwise identical spellings can be three different words. - **Consonant gradation**: Stems change as words inflect, so the nominative and genitive of a noun can look surprisingly different and both must be memorised. - **The partitive case**: Marks partial or incomplete objects, and choosing it over the accusative changes whether an action is finished. - **No gender and no future tense**: One word, tema, covers he and she, and the present tense doubles as the future. ## How you practise Estonian in NativePal - [Reading Lessons](https://nativepal.app/features/reading-lessons/): Estonian stories generated for your level, every word tappable for a translation, comprehension quiz at the end. - [Vocabulary & Dictionary](https://nativepal.app/features/vocabulary-and-dictionary/): themed Estonian vocabulary lessons plus a personal dictionary feeding spaced-repetition flashcards. - [Speaking Practice](https://nativepal.app/features/speaking-practice/): read Estonian aloud on a teleprompter and get scored on individual sounds, prosody, fluency, and connected speech. - [Daily Challenges](https://nativepal.app/features/daily-challenges/): 60 seconds of freeform Estonian every day, analysed for grammar, vocabulary, and phrasing. - [Learning Scenarios](https://nativepal.app/features/learning-scenarios/): structured Estonian lessons from the alphabet for absolute beginners. ## FAQ ### How long does it take to learn Estonian? The US Foreign Service Institute puts Estonian at roughly 1100 hours of instruction — about 44 weeks full-time — to reach professional working proficiency. Holding a simple conversation comes much sooner: most learners manage it inside the first few months. NativePal shortens the part you control: reading at your level every day, vocabulary that returns before you forget it, and speaking practice that scores your pronunciation instead of just ticking a box. ### What is hardest about Estonian grammar? Fourteen cases: Like Finnish, Estonian uses case endings where English uses prepositions, covering into, inside, out of, onto and so on. Three degrees of length: Estonian distinguishes short, long and overlong sounds, and the difference is not shown in spelling. Three otherwise identical spellings can be three different words. Consonant gradation: Stems change as words inflect, so the nominative and genitive of a noun can look surprisingly different and both must be memorised. The partitive case: Marks partial or incomplete objects, and choosing it over the accusative changes whether an action is finished. No gender and no future tense: One word, tema, covers he and she, and the present tense doubles as the future. ### Is Estonian hard for English speakers? Hard — unrelated to English, with a tricky sound system. Latin with ä, ö, ü and the distinctive õ. Spelling is regular and there is nothing new to read. ### What proficiency levels does NativePal use for Estonian? NativePal levels your Estonian practice with CEFR, so reading lessons, vocabulary, and speaking prompts are generated for the level you select rather than a generic average. The ladder runs A1 through to C2. ### Where is Estonian spoken? Estonian is spoken in Estonia, with 1+ million speakers worldwide. ### Can I learn Estonian as a complete beginner? Yes. NativePal's Learning Scenarios start from the alphabet, numbers, greetings, and how to introduce yourself, with no prior Estonian assumed. Once those land, reading lessons and vocabulary packs pick up from wherever you are. ### Does NativePal correct my Estonian pronunciation? Yes. You read Estonian aloud on a teleprompter and get scored on individual vowels and consonants, stress, rhythm and intonation, fluency, and connected speech — not just a pass or fail. The 60-second daily speaking challenge adds freeform practice on top. ### Can I practise speaking Estonian, not just reading it? Yes, and it is the most-used part of the app. Speaking Practice is a teleprompter you read aloud for scored pronunciation feedback, the daily challenge gives you 60 seconds of freeform talk, and you can reply with your voice in any chat or roleplay scenario. ### Is NativePal free for learning Estonian? NativePal is free to start, with a daily allowance across reading, vocabulary, speaking practice, and chats. A premium subscription removes the daily limits and unlocks the longer formats. Prices are set in the App Store and Google Play and vary by region. ### Do I need an account to start learning Estonian? No. NativePal uses anonymous sign-in, so you can start practising Estonian without an email address or social login. ## More - [All supported languages](https://nativepal.app/languages.html) - [All features](https://nativepal.app/features/) - [Compare NativePal with other apps](https://nativepal.app/compare/) - [llms.txt](https://nativepal.app/llms.txt)