Best ways to learn Latvian

Latvian can seem challenging at first due to its grammar system — especially the noun cases and verb forms. However, with the right approach and consistent practice, it’s absolutely achievable. The key is to take it step by step and not be afraid to make mistakes. Actually, it is impossible to achieve fluency without making mistakes. It's an essential part of the process.

How difficult it feels also depends on your native language. If your first language already uses noun cases or verb conjugations (like Russian, Ukranian), you might find it easier to understand the structure of Latvian. But even if your language doesn’t have these features — for example, Japanese doesn’t have noun cases or verb forms — you can still become fluent.

It depends on your learning pace and how often you practice. If you study regularly, you can reach a conversational level in six-to-twelve months. For example, my student who started from scratch can have a conversation with her kid's kindergaten teachers after taking the course for six months. 

Latvian belongs to the Baltic language family and is most closely related to Lithuanian. But if I travel to Lithuania, I am as lost as other foreigners trying to understand what people are talking about. 

For instance, in a recent Instagram video I created with Lithuanian actress and influencer Karolina, we explored how certain words differ between the two languages. Take the word for "elk": in Latvian, it's "alnis", whereas in Lithuanian, it's "briedis". Interestingly, "briedis" in Latvian actually means "deer", but the translation of "deer" in Lithuanian is "alnis". 

Learning Latvian can seem like a challenge at first — but with the right methods and mindset, it becomes a truly rewarding experience. Here are my top practical tips, based on years of teaching, personal language learning, and real success stories from my students.

Don’t just memorize words — use them. When I learned new English words as a student, I noticed that if I didn’t use them, I forgot them quickly. But if I made a sentence with the word, and later heard someone else use it, it stuck in my memory.

A fun method many of my students use is labeling household items with sticky notes. It turns your home into a language lab! Seeing the word “ledusskapis” every time you open the fridge really helps with memorization.

If you want to start reading in Latvian, don’t jump straight into novels. Start with comics – they tend to have simpler expressions and everyday vocabulary. Comics are especially great because the visuals help you understand the context.

When reading more advanced texts, don’t try to translate every word you don’t know – it will quickly become overwhelming. You’ll feel like you understand nothing, and you might want to give up.

Another great way to remember new vocabulary is by creating word associations – the funnier, the better! Your brain remembers unusual or emotional connections more easily.

The most important thing you can do is surround yourself with the language. Watch Latvian TV shows, listen to Latvian podcasts, follow Latvian accounts on social media. Even if you only catch a few words at first — that’s already progress!

Think of grammar as the foundation of a house. Without it, everything else becomes unstable. You don’t need to learn it all at once, but build it brick by brick, and apply it in practice.

Consistency is more important than intensity. You don’t need to study for hours every day – even 10 focused minutes a day can make a big difference over time. Short, daily exposure helps your brain retain the language better than one long private lesson once a week.

If your partner is Latvian and you already have some basic knowledge, make a habit of choosing one day a week where you only speak Latvian together. It might feel awkward at first, but it’s an amazing way to build fluency in a natural setting.

While there are many great tools for foreigners in Latvia, nothing replaces the guidance of a real native Latvian teacher. A good teacher explains grammar clearly, corrects your mistakes, and gives you structured feedback that helps you move forward faster.

To summarise – anyone can learn Latvian regardless of their native language, as long as they're willing to try, be patient and get the right guidance. Good luck in your journey and feel free to get in touch!