How to Learn Telugu: 6 Easy Ways to Learn the Telugu Language

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Are you looking for the best resources to put you on track to becoming fluent in Telugu?

In this guide, I’ll show you the best ways to learn Telugu from zero and the resources you can use to create a comprehensive study routine. To make sure there’s something for all types of Telugu learners, I’ve included apps, online courses, books, YouTube channels, and podcasts. In case you’re looking for more traditional study methods, I’ve also included the top platforms you can use to find an online Telugu tutor.

Our team at Langoly has over 5 decades of combined language-learning experience, and we want to make your Telugu studies as easy as possible. We’ve personally tested and reviewed over 600 language products, so we’re quite familiar with the type of resources you need to reach your language goals. After reading this guide, you’ll be on the fast track to becoming fluent in Telugu!

Telugu, also known as Teluguvaaru, is one of the classical languages of India. It’s the second-most spoken language in the southern Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and is also spoken by large populations in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Odisha. The beauty of Telugu lies in its unique script, which is a combination of letters and diacritical marks. Knowing Telugu can also help you understand other Dravidian languages, such as Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam.

How to Learn Telugu: Use These 6 Methods to Become Fluent

If your goal is to become fluent in Telugu, you must master all areas of language. This includes vocabulary, grammar, listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The best way of doing this is by combining different resources to create a comprehensive study routine. This way, you can target all the language skills and see constant progress in your Telugu studies. That’s why we included six of the best ways to learn Telugu. You can use a combination of these resources to learn Telugu comprehensively.

To help you find the best resources available, we applied the same strict methodology we use to review all the tools included in this website, so you can study the language in the most complete way possible. Once you’ve read this guide, you’ll have everything you need to move forward with your Telugu language journey.

1. Use the Best Telugu Apps

Language apps are a popular and innovative way to learn Telugu. There are apps for different learning styles and they provide a wide range of features. Some apps focus on specific language skills, while others offer complete courses. Apps can also have game-like features that make the learning experience more engaging. Ling App, Mango Languages, and 50Languages are 3 of the best apps available to learn Telugu. These apps are easy to use and have quality content.

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Ling App

Ling App has many engaging features and has interactive lessons, vocabulary, and speaking practice. It’s the best gamified Telugu app because it has an intuitive interface that makes learning Telugu enjoyable and accessible for all levels. Additionally, Ling App offers speech recognition technology to help you perfect your pronunciation skills. You can try the Ling App with a 7-day free trial.

Mango Languages

Mango Languages is a popular language-learning app that uses critical-thinking activities and memory-building exercises to make sure you retain vocabulary effectively. The Mango Languages Telugu course includes comprehensive grammar and cultural notes to help you understand how to use the language in the real world. You can try it for free or read more in this Mango Languages review.

50Languages

50Languages is a comprehensive app that focuses on vocabulary and has audio recordings by native speakers, along with accompanying text and translations. It also covers essential grammar and phrases for various topics such as family, school, and numbers. 50Languages includes games to help you remember the vocabulary in an enjoyable way.

2. Take an Online Telugu Course

Online language courses have gained popularity as one of the best ways to learn Telugu for several reasons. They incorporate interactive exercises, multimedia, and virtual tools to keep you engaged and provide a dynamic learning experience. They offer flexibility in terms of scheduling and self-paced study and can adapt to your learning needs. Udemy, Audible, and Bhasha.io have high-quality content and structured lesson plans that are effective at teaching Telugu.

Udemy

Udemy is a large, educational platform that has a selection of Telugu language courses available. There are options covering grammar, vocabulary, writing, and pronunciation. You can find courses designed for beginners and intermediate-level students. Udemy offers lifetime access to the course materials, so you can revisit the content and track your progress as you improve. You can read more about the platform in this Udemy review.

Audible

Audible, the world’s largest provider of audiobooks, has recently released a series of Telugu language courses designed to help develop your speaking, listening, and comprehension skills. These courses are taught by native Telugu speakers and cover a range of topics, from basic vocabulary and grammar to advanced conversational skills. There are also stories and news so you can practice reading authentic Telugu content. Some of the courses include “Good Telugu Stories” and “KiranPrabha Telugu Talk Shows.” You can see if there’s a Telugu course that’s right for you with Audible’s 30-day free trial.

Bhasha.io

Bhasha.io offers a customizable Telugu learning experience. The course includes assignments for each lesson and interactive exercises. The course is tailored to your needs and includes 1-on-1 live sessions with a language coach. You can ask questions and receive instant answers, which is great if you need help with more complicated topics like grammar or sentence structure. You can learn more about the course options available on the Bhasha.io website.

3. Find an Online Telugu Tutor

Finding a tutor who can teach you Telugu is one of the best ways to learn the language. Practicing speaking with a native speaker can help you improve your pronunciation and conversational skills. But finding someone that speaks Telugu can be hard depending on where you live. Luckily, some platforms can help you find Telugu tutors online. italki, Preply, and Amazing Talker are three reputable platforms for online classes with Telugu teachers.

italki

italki is a large platform that connects you with Telugu native speakers no matter where you are. Currently, there are 14 Telugu tutors available, and you can choose the one that best fits your learning needs. italki lets you use filters to find tutors based on your preferred teaching style, availability, and price range. Each tutor sets the price for their lessons and creates the material for their courses, so there is an option for every learning style and budget. You can try a discounted trial class or learn more about the platform in this italki review.

Preply

Preply is a similar platform to italki. There are 15 Telugu tutors available at the time, and most of them have high ratings from past students. With Preply, you can filter tutors based on the languages they speak, location, availability, price, and specialties, so you can easily find the best option for you. Most teachers offer a discounted trial lesson, and you can learn more about the platform in this Preply review.

Amazing Talker

Amazing Talker offers a wide selection of qualified Telugu tutors. With Amazing Talker, you can choose from a diverse pool of Telugu tutors and visit their profiles to see their teaching experience and read past students’ reviews. The platform provides convenient features such as flexible scheduling, personalized lesson plans, and the ability to track progress. One benefit is that you pay per lesson, so there’s no need to prepay a lot of money to start taking lessons.

4. Study with High-Quality Telugu Books

Books are a convenient way to learn Telugu because you can set the pace for your studies and reference the text as much as you need. Books also let you jump back and forth to the topics and lessons that interest you the most. Learn Telugu in 30 Days Through English, English – Telugu Conversation Guide, and Spoken Telugu for Absolute Beginners are three books with many positive user reviews that can help you learn the language.

Learn Telugu in 30 Days Through English

Learn Telugu in 30 Days Through English offers an easy approach to learning Telugu for English speakers. The book is structured to provide a step-by-step progression, guiding you through the basics of the Telugu alphabet, vocabulary, and sentence construction. It provides daily life examples so you know when and how to correctly use the words you learn. This book is a helpful tool for beginners looking to build a strong foundation in the Telugu language. You can learn more about this book here.

English – Telugu Conversation Guide

The English – Telugu Conversation Guide features a wide range of useful phrases, vocabulary, and sentences organized in a conversational format. It covers essential topics like greetings, introductions, daily conversations, travel, shopping, and dining out. See what you think about the book here.

Spoken Telugu for Absolute Beginners

Spoken Telugu for Absolute Beginners is one of three books in the Absolute Beginners series. It offers essential vocabulary and phrases, and plenty of speaking and listening practice. The book provides detailed grammar explanations, pronunciation examples, and cultural notes, making sure you have a solid understanding of the language. It also includes audio tracks and access to the Memrise app. Learn more about Spoken Telugu for Absolute Beginners here.

5. Watch Telugu YouTube Videos

Watching YouTube videos is a modern way of studying Telugu. It’s one of the best ways of developing your speaking and listening skills because you can hear how the language is spoken by speakers in real-life situations. There are also multiple videos that can teach you basic Telugu grammar, vocabulary, and colloquial phrases. Dr. Deepa Gupta, PR Learning Lab, and Kiran Prabha are three YouTube channels where you can find quality content to help you become familiar with the language. 

Dr. Deepa Gupta

Dr. Deepa Gupta is an experienced language educator. Her channel provides engaging and informative videos on Telugu vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and cultural insights. Her channel has a mix of instructional videos, conversational practice, and interactive lessons to help you develop your Telugu skills. She is still posting content, so you can check her channel to see what’s new.    

PR Learning Lab

PR Learning Lab hosted by Ragi Praveen offers educational content in Telugu. This channel provides in-depth explanations and tutorials on various subjects, including language learning, graphic design, and video editing. Ragi Praveen’s teaching style is clear, concise, and easy to follow, making complex concepts more accessible. His channel has over 1.7K videos you can enjoy, and he is still uploading content so there are always new videos to watch.

Kiran Prabha

Koumudi Kiranprabha is a popular Telugu YouTube channel that features educational videos, movie reviews, stories, and cultural insights. The channel is completely in Telugu, so it’s best suited for intermediate and advanced students who want to practice their comprehension of the language. 

6. Listen to Telugu Podcasts

Listening to a podcast is a convenient method for learning Telugu if you have a busy lifestyle. Podcasts allow you to listen to the language while you are doing other activities. Learn Telugu, Samvedh Sagas, and Telugu Malika are three podcasts that feature native speakers and offer diverse content like stories, informative discussions, and immersive language experiences.

Learn Telugu

The Learn Telugu podcast is a fantastic resource for individuals looking to master the Telugu script. With its clear and concise lessons, the podcast guides you through the Telugu alphabet from start to end. It includes rhymes in Telugu and other visual aids that you can download on their website. This can be helpful for parents who want to teach Telugu to their kids. 

Samvedh Sagas

The Samvedh Sagas podcast is hosted by Samvedh Vegi and offers content in Telugu that covers a wide variety of topics. With a focus on personal growth, motivation, and self-improvement, the podcast provides valuable insights and practical advice. Samvedh Vegi engages with his audience through thought-provoking discussions, interviews with experts, and inspirational stories. Whether you’re looking for guidance in your personal or professional life, or simply want to practice your comprehension skills, this podcast is a great option.

Telugu Malika

The Telugu Malika podcast offers a wide range of interesting and informative content related to the Telugu language and culture. There are entertaining segments such as Telugu riddles, jokes, poems, and educational segments on the language. You can listen to native speakers explain common phrases in the Telugu language, so this can be a useful tool to improve your pronunciation and speaking skills. This podcast is no longer updating but there are 76 episodes for you to enjoy.

How to Learn Telugu: Final Thoughts

Finding the best learning method and resources can ensure your path toward Telugu fluency. Once you have found the best learning method for you and created a study routine, you will need to find high-quality resources to aid your learning. Using the six effective methods listed in this article can give you a well-rounded understanding of Telugu. So, start exploring these resources and embark on your Telugu language learning adventure today!

How to Learn Telugu: FAQ