Learn Armenian

Learn Armenian online: a free course for complete beginners

Armenian is often perceived as a difficult or rare language, mainly because of its unique alphabet and unfamiliar sounds. In reality, Armenian becomes much more approachable when learned through real-life expressions and spoken usage.

When beginners focus on understanding and repeating complete sentences, Armenian quickly reveals a clear internal logic. Pronunciation follows spelling closely, and everyday communication relies on a limited number of very frequent patterns.

The Loecsen “First Contact” course is a free online Armenian course for beginners, designed for learners starting from zero. Its goal is to help you understand and use Armenian from the very first lessons.

Where Armenian is spoken and which form is taught

Armenian is spoken in Armenia and by large diaspora communities around the world, including Europe, Russia, the Middle East, and North America. It is used daily in family life, social interactions, and cultural contexts.

There are two main standardized forms of Armenian: Eastern Armenian and Western Armenian. In the Loecsen “First Contact” course, the focus is on Eastern Armenian, which is the official language of the Republic of Armenia and the most widely used form today.

The origins of the Armenian language and its unique roots

Armenian is one of the oldest written languages still in use. Its alphabet was created in the early 5th century by Mesrop Mashtots, specifically to represent Armenian sounds accurately.

Over centuries, Armenian developed its own strong identity while interacting with neighboring cultures. Historical contact has introduced influences from Persian, Greek, Arabic, Turkish, and Russian, especially in vocabulary.

Despite these influences, Armenian has preserved a stable grammatical structure and a distinctive sound system. Once learners become familiar with its patterns, the language feels consistent and predictable.

The Armenian alphabet: how it works and how to learn it efficiently

The Armenian alphabet is one of the most distinctive aspects of the language. While its characters may look unfamiliar at first, the system itself is very logical and consistent.

Modern Armenian uses 39 letters. Each letter represents a specific sound, and there are no silent letters. This means that Armenian is pronounced exactly as it is written, which is a major advantage for beginners.

Because it was designed specifically for the language, the relationship between letters and sounds is very stable.

Just like the Latin alphabet, Armenian words are formed by placing sounds one after another. You do not need to guess pronunciation or memorize irregular spellings: once you know the letters, you can read.

How Armenian words are built: letters and sounds in practice

Let’s take a simple everyday word:

այո – yes

This word is made of three letters:

• ա (a)
• յ (y)
• ո (o)

Read one sound after another, this gives:

a + y + o → ayo

Here is another very common word:

բարև – hello

It is built from the following letters:

• բ (b)
• ա (a)
• ր (r)
• և (ev)

Read one sound after another, this gives:

ba + rev → barev

Each letter always keeps the same sound, no matter where it appears in the word. Once you recognize the letters, you simply pronounce them one after another.

How to learn the Armenian alphabet step by step

To learn the Armenian alphabet effectively, there is no need to memorize abstract lists of letters.

Instead, Loecsen provides a dedicated interactive tool, available further down on this page, where the complete Armenian alphabet is presented with its sounds and concrete examples.

Each letter can be heard, seen in real words, and repeated aloud. This creates a direct connection between reading, listening, and speaking, which is essential for beginners.

How Armenian sentences work in real-life situations

In Armenian, the verb often comes at the end of the sentence. This structure may feel unfamiliar at first, but it becomes clear when seen in everyday expressions.

For example:

“Ես հասկանում եմ.” – I understand.

If you add more information, the structure remains the same:

“Ես քեզ հասկանում եմ.” – I understand you.

Or with a place:

“Ես այստեղ եմ.” – I am here.

This regular structure helps learners anticipate how sentences are built. You express the idea first, and the action is clearly marked at the end.

Understanding Armenian grammar through everyday expressions

Armenian uses grammatical cases to express relationships such as possession, direction, or location. At beginner level, these cases appear naturally inside complete phrases.

For example:

“Որտե՞ղ է զուգարանը.” – Where is the toilet?

“Ես ուզում եմ սա.” – I want this.

“Ես չեմ հասկանում.” – I don’t understand.

With just a few expressions like these, learners can already manage basic situations: asking for something, expressing a need, or explaining a difficulty.

In the Loecsen “First Contact” course, grammar is never presented as abstract rules. It is always learned through real, spoken sentences.

What to learn first to start speaking Armenian

To start speaking Armenian, it is far more effective to learn complete everyday sentences rather than isolated words.

Expressions such as “I don’t understand”, “I want this”, or “Where is it?” are immediately usable and give learners confidence in real situations.

Each sentence naturally combines pronunciation, grammar, and meaning, making memorization easier and more durable.

A concrete and effective to-do list for learning Armenian with Loecsen

Learning Armenian sustainably relies on simple, regular actions. The Loecsen method combines audio repetition, contextual usage, and active recall.

• Practice every day, even just 5 minutes. Regularity matters more than long sessions.
• Learn complete sentences instead of memorizing word lists.
• Repeat sentences out loud to absorb sounds and rhythm.
• Listen to the same expressions several times until they feel familiar.
• Write short sentences by hand to reinforce memory.
• Reuse known phrases in different contexts.
• Use Listening mode for passive exposure to spoken Armenian.
• Practice with AI dialogues to simulate real-life conversations.
• Rely on the Spaced Repetition System (SRS) and the Super Memory approach to review expressions at the right time.

Staying motivated when learning Armenian

It is normal to feel uncertain when learning a language with a new alphabet and unfamiliar sounds.

• Lower your daily goal instead of stopping completely.
• Return to familiar sentences to rebuild confidence.
• Switch to listening only on low-energy days.
• Accept approximate speech as part of learning.
• Focus on understanding rather than speaking perfectly.

Continuity always matters more than intensity in language learning.

How the Loecsen “First Contact” course helps beginners

The Loecsen “First Contact” course is a free online Armenian course designed for complete beginners.

It focuses on essential everyday expressions, practiced through listening, repetition, and clear contextual explanations.

Thanks to its structured progression and Spaced Repetition System (SRS), learners gradually build long-term memory and reach a functional CEFR A1 level.

Frequently asked questions about learning Armenian

Is Armenian difficult for beginners?

Armenian may seem challenging at first because of its alphabet, but its pronunciation and sentence patterns are consistent and learnable.

Do I need to learn the alphabet before starting?

No. The alphabet is learned naturally through repeated exposure to real words and expressions.

Can I learn Armenian online for free?

Yes, by following a structured free online Armenian course such as Loecsen “First Contact”.

How long does it take to understand basic Armenian?

With regular practice, learners can understand and use basic expressions within a few weeks.