Estonian online communities are a goldmine for language learners - if you know where to look. Too many people waste time on dead forums or Facebook groups where the most exciting post is someone’s cat photo. Here’s where to go instead.
General Estonian Language Forums
- Keeltekohvik (https://keeltekohvik.ee) – A forum for Estonian learners and native speakers. The grammar discussions are surprisingly lively, assuming you enjoy spirited debates about the partitive case.
- Reddit’s r/eesti (https://www.reddit.com/r/eesti) – The subreddit for all things Estonia. Mostly in Estonian, with occasional English posts. Good for picking up casual language, but brace yourself for memes.
Niche Communities
Not every Estonian speaker wants to talk about language learning. Some actually have hobbies. Shocking, I know.
- Arvutifoorum (https://www.arvutifoorum.ee) – Tech enthusiasts arguing about the best VPN or why their Wi-Fi is slow. Useful for learning IT-related vocabulary.
- Foorum.ekspress.ee (https://foorum.ekspress.ee) – A mix of news discussion and random chatter. The comment sections are where Estonian sarcasm shines.
Facebook Groups (Yes, Some Are Actually Useful)
Most language-related Facebook groups are wastelands of ‘how do you say “I love you” in Estonian?’ posts. These are slightly better:
- Eesti Keel (Estonian Language) – A group for learners and native speakers. Moderators keep it focused, so fewer cat photos.
- Estonian Memes – Because nothing teaches culture like absurd humour. Just don’t expect anyone to explain the jokes.
Discord & Telegram
For real-time chat, these platforms are where Estonian learners and speakers actually hang out.
- Eesti Keel Discord – A server dedicated to Estonian language practice. Voice channels available if you’re brave enough to speak.
- Estonian Language Learners Telegram – Smaller but active. Good for quick questions.
Pro tip: If you’re still struggling with basics, check out our guide on 50 Foundational Estonian Vocabulary Words. No point joining a debate about politics if you can’t even say ‘hello’ properly.
Avoid These Time-Wasters
Not all communities are worth your time. Here’s what to skip:
- Forums with last activity dated 2012. They’re digital graveyards.
- Groups where every second post is an ad for ‘Learn Estonian in 7 Days!’ scams.
- Any place that tolerates Google Translate-tier nonsense. You’ll learn nothing but bad habits.
Kohvik
/ˈkohvik/“Café”
Literally ‘café’, but also used metaphorically for online gathering places (like forums).
Now go forth and argue about grammar like a true Estonian. Or at least lurk effectively.
