Hello, my name is Matthew. Originally, I was learning Esperanto from a small course book but I have misplaced it somehow, so I feel that I have the basics down, but I find that I'm struggling to find a place to start on this website. I'm semi fluent in Spanish and speak a bit of Japanese, so I'm not a newbie in learning languages, and for me, for this language, I feel the best way for me to learn is by taking those basics I learned and improving upon them with introduction of vocabulary repeatedly, rather then staring at a list, trying to memorize it, and then go through a lesson. I'm not sure if my level is "Basic" or "Intermediate," as I am sure there are some words I'm familiar with, and other words I'm not. However, I believe I'm probably somewhere in the intermediate area (though I've been learning for about a week now), and all that I'm lacking is vocabulary and several grammatical rules. If anyone can offer any suggestions, I'd be much obliged. Thank you, and it's a pleasure to meet you all!

You could try to search for an interesting song at kantaro.ikso.net and sing it. So this way you could try to develop some own Esperanto language melody. I heard, that could memorize well new vocabulary, too.

I suggest that you go through Vojaĝu kun Zam, and certainly Ana Pana, as it includes on-line tutorial help. After that you will be ready to move on to Ana Renkontas, and possibly En Nia IJK (which is set in a Esperanto Youth convention). You should then be ready for Gerda Malaperis!.

But I wouldn't rush things. It takes a little patience to learn even a relatively easy language like Esperanto.

Miland:You should then be ready for Gerda Malaperis!

Noone really ever is Honestly, I found it way too boring!

My suggestion: once you're through an intermediate level course, do your best to practice, either through e-mail correspondance or IM chat. Try to befriend one or two experienced speakers, then submit them your own translations (of short stories, songs, or anything you feel like trying to translate). Their corrections will probably help you a lot.

If you have the chance, consider meeting other speakers in person, especially during a trip abroad. Even better if you manage to attend an international event.

I'm going through "Metodo de Ilja Frank" at the moment, which I find very interesting and helpful. I'm not trying to rush things, I just feel that going through simple exercises is kind of boring, that, and they have a kind of childish feeling to them, like I'm a grade schooler. One could argue, language wise, I am, but still.