Complete Estonian Beginner to Intermediate Book and Audio Course

Learn to read, write, speak and understand a new language with Teach Yourself

Mare Kitsnik, Leelo Kingisepp

• Publisher: Teach Yourself
• Year: 2012
• Print ISBN: 9781444106022
• eBook ISBN: 9781444134667
• Topic: Languages & Linguistics
• Subtopic: Languages
• Index: Languages & Linguistics

This product is most effective when used in conjunction with the corresponding audio support.
- You can purchase the book and double CD as a pack (ISBN: 9781444106909)
- The double CD is also sold separately (ISBN: 9781444107005)
(copy and paste the ISBN number into the search bar to find these products)
Are you looking for a complete course in Estonian which takes you effortlessly from beginner to confident speaker? Whether you are starting from scratch, or are just out of practice, Complete Estonian will guarantee success!Now fully updated to make your language learning experience fun and interactive. You can still rely on the benefits of a top language teacher and our years of teaching experience, but now with added learning features within the course and online.
The course is structured in thematic units and the emphasis is placed on communication, so that you effortlessly progress from introducing yourself and dealing with everyday situations, to using the phone and talking about work. By the end of this course, you will be at Level B2 of the Common European Framework for Languages: Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party.Learn effortlessly with a new easy-to-read page design and interactive features: NOT GOT MUCH TIME?
One, five and ten-minute introductions to key principles to get you started.AUTHOR INSIGHTS
Lots of instant help with common problems and quick tips for success, based on the author's many years of experience.GRAMMAR TIPS
Easy-to-follow building blocks to give you a clear understanding.USEFUL VOCABULARY
Easy to find and learn, to build a solid foundation for speaking.DIALOGUES
Read and listen to everyday dialogues to help you speak and understand fast.PRONUNCIATION
Don't sound like a tourist! Perfect your pronunciation before you go.TEST YOURSELF
Tests in the book and online to keep track of your progress.EXTEND YOUR KNOWLEDGE
Extra online articles at: www.teachyourself.com to give you a richer understanding of the culture and history of Estonia.TRY THIS
Innovative exercises illustrate what you've learnt and how to use it.

1

Tere!
Hello!

In this unit you will learn

• The most common Estonian greetings

• How to say please and thank you

• How to tell the time

• How to apologize

Listening 1

You will hear some typical Estonian greetings. Listen to the dialogues and then complete Exercise 1. The vocabulary list that follows will help you to understand what the people are saying.

CD1, TR 2

QUICK VOCAB
mees man
naine woman
Tere! Hello!
Tere-tere! Hello-hello!
Tere hommikust! Good morning!
Hommikust! Good morning!
Tere päevast! Good afternoon!
Tere õhtust! Good evening!

Exercise 1

Now listen to the dialogues again and decide in which dialogue people say 1 good evening, 2 good morning, 3 good afternoon, 4 hello.

Greetings in Estonian

Tere! Hello! is the most neutral greeting, which can be used any time of the day with anyone. The words hommik morning, päev day and õhtu evening in greetings indicate the time of day they should be used. Say Tere hommikust! from daybreak to midday; Tere päevast! from midday until dark; then switch to Tere õhtust! until daybreak. Answer the greeting by either repeating the whole expression or just part of it Tere õhtust! – Tere õhtust!/Tere!/Õhtust!

Listening 2

You will hear how Estonians say goodbye. Listen to the dialogues and complete Exercises 2 and 3.

CD1, TR 3

Quick Vocab
neiu young lady, girl
noormees young man
Nägemist! Goodbye!
Noh! Well! (interj. expressing resignation, understanding, etc.)
Tšau! Bye! (informal)
Head aega! Goodbye!
Homseni! Till tomorrow!
homme tomorrow
Nägemiseni! So long!, see you!
Reedeni! Until Friday!
reede Friday
Head ööd! Good night!

Exercise 2

Which expression is used in which dialogue? Listen and make a note for each dialogue. One expression is not used in any of the dialogues.

Exercise 3

What are the appropriate greetings for each time of day?

1 10.00

2 15.00

3 22.00

Parting words

For saying goodbye Head aega! or Nägemist! are the universal expressions, which can be used anytime with anyone. Some expressions used when saying goodbye can only be said at certain times like Head päeva! during the day, Head õhtut! during the evening and Head ööd! during the night.

Tšau! bye is very informal in tone used by younger people, mostly when saying goodbye but it can also be used as a greeting.

If you know the time at which you will meet...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Contents
• Meet the authors
• Only got a minute?
• Only got five minutes?
• Introduction
• 1 Tere! Hello!
• 2 Saame tuttavaks! Let’s get acquainted!
• 3 Vabandage, kus on …? Excuse me, where is the …?
• 4 Mida teile? What will you have?
• 5 Mida teete vabal ajal? What do you do during your free time?
• 6 Milline on sinu päev? What’s your day like?
• 7 Lähme turule! Let’s go to the market!
• 8 Lähme välja! Let’s go out!
• 9 Ma jäin haigeks I fell ill
• 10 Milline ta välja näeb? What does she look like?
• 11 Kas ühe- või kaheinimesetuba? Single or double room?
• 12 Sooviksin korterit üürida I would like to rent an apartment
• 13 Kas olete proovinud …? Have you tried …?
• 14 Sõidame! Let’s go!
• Key to the exercises
• Estonian–English vocabulary
• English–Estonian vocabulary
• Taking it further
• Grammar glossary
• Appendices
• Copyright