Live & Learn Albanian

You'll find all the best resources for learning Albanian right here. All our recommendations are based on the experience of hundreds of other language learners. Advice on audio lessons, language learning software, dictionaries, exercise books and much more...

Of course, if there is something you would like to know but can’t seem to find it through us, please let us know - we will be happy to do some research and do our best to dig it up, and improve the site for you. The comment box is at the bottom of this page.

Standard Albanian has 7 vowels and 29 consonants. The closest word to English would most likely be the word for 'three' which is 'tre'. So with more letters, and not much likeness, Albanian may be one of the tougher European languages to learn for native English speakers!

Language Synopsis

Albanian (also known as Shqip) is spoken by upwards of 6 millions people, mostly within Albania but there are also large communities of native speakers outside of the country, for example, in the UK.

Albanian Audio Lessons

A great way to get straight into speaking and reading is using Pimsleur audio lessons. They provide an introductory 10 lesson course with 5 hours worth of material. A must have for beginners with the language.

Why choose Pimsleur: Pimsleur audio lessons are an excellent introduction to speaking and reading Shqip. The course will give you a sound foundation for pronouncing the language well. By using the unique backwards build up drill method, students are helped to accurately mimick the Shqip sounds, helping them sound like natives.

Where to buy: Pimsleur-Language, linked to on the banner below is one of the best value Pimsleur suppliers.

Albanian Language Learning Software

Talk Now! Learn Albanian - Beginning Level is a fun and interactive software programme for beginners. It has a useful tool where you can compare your own pronunciation with that of natives.

Instant Immersion 102 Languages provide 85 introductory words/phrases to get you started. This is a useful tool if you travel a lot as it provides the same 85 phrases for many other languages.

Internet freebies: BYKI provide free audio lessons. The course serves as a good introduction for newcomers to the tongue. You'll find the lessons interactive, helping your pronunciation.

English-Albanian Dictionaries

The most comprehensive modern Albanian-English dictionary is Oxford Albanian-English Dictionary The dictionary contains over 75,000 entries covering standard, non-standard, colloquial, technical and scientific terms. There is also a very helpful section that deals with the funfamental of grammar. A must have for anybody wanting to learn Shqip.

Exercise Books

The author Cezar Kurti translated many literary works into the Shqip language, including Shakespeare. His book is divided into 40 lessons that cover the major aspects of the language. It includes a pronunciation guide on CD.

Internet freebies: The following website provides free educational information regarding the teachings of the Bible, with a page in Shqip and the same information on a page in English. A comparison of the texts could be one way to help contribute to your language acquisition. Interestingly, this organization provides Bibles in almost any language for free/by donation.

This site also provides extensive free lessons on vocabulary and usage, aswell as grammar. There are 17 units altogether, with exercises. Very useful!

Flashcards

We are happy to offer free flashcards in any language, please see our Flash Cards page for more information.

Video & Media

For some general ideas and tips on using video as a method to teach yourself or someone else a language, please see our Video page.

Here is the latest Albanian Eurovision entry, not a bad song once you've listened to it a couple times. If you don't like it, try to endure for the linguistic benefits.

Learning Live Online

Here you will find a listing of teachers of Albanian. You will see by what method they can teach you, whether live over the phone or live through the internet (webcam, email, etc).

Internet freebies:We at LLL are also happy to provide free Teacher/Student meet up. If you are an Albanian teacher and would like to teach live by telephone or through the internet, please let us know using the comment box at the bottom of the page. In turn, if you are a student wanting to learn Albanian, just let us know. We will only give your contact and/or profile to teachers/students who are interested. Tuition rates and methods of payment will be up to the teacher/student to determine with each other. Don't worry, we won't be after any commission or hidden fees. We are happy just to help with the introductions!

Shqip Language Immersion

Surrounding yourself with Shqip words and sounds and music will be the very best way to learn, trust us. We are looking into courses abroad at the moment, and will soon be able to recommend one or two. Until then, feel free to do your best to immerse yourself where you live, using the following suggestions… for example, use a dictionary to print words like “table”, "door", "window", "kettle", "bed", "chair", "mirror" etc and stick them onto those items around the house. Over time these words will automatically become part of your vocabulary, without even trying to memorize them! You could also in time join some verbs, like eat, open/close, wash, boil, sleep, sit, look, etc so as to associate them with the objects. Try it!

~Describe the weather each day! What a great site this is for weather-related vocabulary!

~Listening to native music and look for the lyrics to your favorite songs! For example: Here is a song sung by TRIX called Ndarja në errësirë tjeter and here are the lyrics (open the expandable box):

And, you might enjoy this regular feed of updated stories written by bloggers/travelers in Albania.

Shqip Culture Corner

Fergesë e Tiranës me Mish Viçi (Tirana Fergese with Veal) click below to open the recipe:

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1 lb veal cutlets 1/2 lb Salted Cottage Cheese or Greek Feta Cheese 1 tbsp Flour 1/4 lb (1 stick) Butter 3 tbsp Virgin Olive Oil Onion, one medium-sized Add Salt, Black Pepper, and Chili Pepper to your taste

First, cut the veal cutlets into small pieces and then dice the onion. In a saucepan, preheat the olive oil and sauté the meat and onion for 15 minutes. In another saucepan, melt the butter and then add flour, cottage or Feta cheese, and black pepper, salt and chili pepper to taste. Mix all the ingredients together (adding the sautéed meat and onions) in the saucepan and place in a preheated 350 oven for 15 minutes. Take out and serve immediately.

Traditional Music: Albania has produced quite a lot of nice classical music, as you may listen to below. The more tradition Shqip fold music however may not be so appealing to western ears. Give it a try though and let yourself get lost in the atmosphere of Albanian folk music!

Help Others Live & Learn

If you've learnt the Shqip language we'd love to hear about any tips you may have. Which resources really helped you learn the language? Which weren't that great?

Please e-mail us your finding using the form below. Your shared language learning experiences will save other language learners' time, energy, and money. In fact, that is the the mission of Live & Learn Languages!

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