Learning Albanian

Welcome to Learning Albanian.

Shqiponja është e madhe në Shqipëri. The eagle is big in Albania. është, 3rd pers. sing. for "to be" is a loan word from Latin

The name of the Albanian language in Albanian language is 'shqip' and the name of the country Albania is 'Shqipëri' (indefinite (later indef.)) and 'Shqipëria. (definite (later def.))

Q is the most far-out non-western compliance letter in the Albanian language. It is pronounced a sharp 's' like in chuck.

Both of these could be derived from the word sq.'shqiponja' == en."the eagle" or is it the other way around that shqip is so awesome that the name of the eagle then gotta be shqiponja.

First things to know

Albanian flag is very red and black (kuq e zi) and sq."Shqiponja ka dy kokat!" == en."The eagle has two heads!". ka is the 3rd person singular for 'to have'. dy means two. kokat is definite plural form of kokë, head

Nouns: first things to know

As you may notice the Albanian nouns have their article affixed to the end of the noun and not preceding it. Later-on code like this 'Shqipëri, -a' tells you that the definite form is formed by adding the definite article '-a' to it.

Albanian has 2 grammatical genders: masculine and feminine but worry not, sing. indef. nouns that end in a consonant are masculines and nouns ending in a vowel are feminines. Exceptions are if the noun clearly is of the other gender than the vowel/consonant rule would say.

Verbs: first things to know:

Albanian verbs have no infinite forms so all the dictionaries have them listed by the 1st person singular. This is handy for quickly learning to express what I do or what I would like to do.

Adjectives: first things to know

For those of you who know French you'll feel at home as adjectives and adverbs are placed after the noun also in Albanian.

Nouns and adjectives are connected by an adjectival article. For nominative these are 'i' for masculine and 'e' for feminine.

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Verbs

Albanian verbs are divided into 6 classes as follows:

1. Class 1 - Verbs ending in 'j'
2. Class 2 - Verbs ending in a consonant
3. Class 3 - Verbs ending in a vowel
4. Class 4 - Three verbs ending in 'i'
5. Class 5 - Irregular verbs
6. Class 6 - Verbs ending in '(h)em'

Class 1 verbs - end in 'j'

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Class 2 verbs - end in a consonant

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Class 3 verbs - end in a vowel

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Class 4 verbs - the three verbs ending in 'i'

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Class 6 verbs - end in '(h)em'

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Building up vocabulary

Ë is not pronounced when it is at the end of a word. When inside a word it is like the syllable "uh".

Knowing the first things to know about nouns and adjectives now would be a good time to consider starting to play the Basic Albanian 1 on Memrise. Memrise programs your brain slightly differently than traditional methods, but hey, how harmful can it be?

Albanian has a lot of loan words but they come from a wide variety of languages including but not limited to Latin, English, Italian, French, Slavic, Germanic, Arabic, Swedish etc.

Jamaican shares from Albanian the word 'I ri'. In Albanian 'i ri' means both new and young for masculine nouns. Corresponding form for feminine nouns is 'e re'.

Lists of loan words

The forms given for nouns are

1. Singular, indefinite
2. Singular, definite
3. Plural indefinite

• Online Etymology Dictionary is useful if in doubt whether a word comes from English or if it a loan word of theirs.

Mots d'emprunt pour francophones

These often come via Italian or are originally from Latin by which the words not so magically happen to often be the same in French. Jukeboksi (talk)

1. abazhur, -i, -e == un abat-jour == a lampshade
2. alkool, -i, -e == un alcool == alcohol
3. ambasadë, -a, -a == une ambassade == an embassy
4. ansambël, -li, -lë == un ensamble == a (performing) group
5. avion, -i, -ë == un avion == an airplane
6. avokat, -i, -e == un avocat == a lawyer
7. bibliotekë, -a, -a == une bibliothèque - a library
8. biftek, -u, -ë == un bifteck == a beefsteak
9. biletë, -a, -a == un billet == a ticket
10. bluzë, -a, -a == une blouse == a blouse
11. bursë, -a, -a == une bourse == this word means both, like in French, a stock exchange and a study grant for undergraduates
12. diskotekë, -a, -a == une discothèque == a diskotheque
13. dakord == d'accord == agreed, all right
14. divorc == un divorce == a divorce
15. ekspozitë, -a, -a == une exposition == an exhibition
16. emision, -i, -e == une émission == TV/radio show, program, broadcast
17. fill, -i, fije == un fil == a thread
18. financiar, -e == financier == financial
19. fizikë, -a == une physique == physics
20. Francẽ, -a, -a == La France == France
21. francez, -i, -ë == un français == a French
22. francez, -e == français, -e == French (adj.)
23. galeri, -a, - == une galerie == a gallery
24. gaz, -i, -e == un gaz == a gas
25. gjeografik, -e == géographique == geographic
26. grevë == une grève == a strike
27. gri == gris == grey
28. grip, -i, -e == une grippe == a flu
29. ide, -ja, - == une idée == an idea
30. inkonjito == incognito == incognito
31. institucion, -i, -e == une institution == an institution
32. interesant, -e == interesant == interesting
33. inxhinier, -i, -ë == un ingénieur == an engineer
34. juridik, -e == juridique == legal, judicial
35. kabinë, -a, -a == une cabine == a booth
36. kafe, -ja, -e == un café == a coffee
37. kanal, -i, -e == un canal == a channel
38. kanion, -i, -e == un canyon == a canyon
39. karakter, -i, -e == un caractère == a character, nature
40. karakteristik, -e == caractéristique == characteristic
41. karotë, -a, -a == une carotte == a carrot
42. kartë, -a, -a == une carte == a card (also a paper)
43. kartë krediti == une carte de crédit == a credit card
44. katër == quatre == four
45. katolik, -e == catholique == catholic
46. këmishë, -a, -ë == une chemise == a shirt
47. kimi, -a == chimie == chemistry
48. kuadër, -ri, -ro == un cadre == frame, setting
49. kurs, -i, -e == un course == rate, course
50. kuzhinë, -a, -a == une cuisine == a kitchen
51. lahutë, -a, -a == un luth == a lute
52. legjendë, -a, -a == une légende == a legend
53. librari, -a, - == une librarie == a bookstore
54. linjë, -a, -a == une ligne == a line
55. madhësti -a == une majesté == a majesty
56. maj, -i == maj == May
57. mandarinë, -a, -a == une mandarine == a mandarin
58. mars, -i == mars == March
59. më == me == me, to me (attn. më can be a number of other things to in sentences)
60. meny, -ja, - == un menu == a menu
61. menyrë, -a, -a == une manière == manner, way
62. mesazh -i, -e == un message == a message
63. miliard, -i, -ë == un milliard == a billion
64. milion, -i, ë == un million == a million
65. modë, -a == une mode == fashion
66. mur, -i, -e == un mur == a wall
67. muzë, -u - == un musée == a museum
68. natyrë, -a == une nature == a nature
69. oriz, -i == riz == rice
70. paketë, -a, -a == un paquet == a package
71. park, -u, -qe == un parc == a park
72. pasion, -i, -e == une passion == a passion
73. peizazh, -i, -e == un paysage == a scenery
74. periudhë, -a, -a == une période == a period, time
75. person, -i, -a == une personne == a person
76. personalitet, -i, -e == une personnalité == a personality
77. përqindje, -a, -e == un pourcentage == a percentage
78. pishinë, -a, -a == une piscine == a swimming pool
79. pistë, -a, -a == une piste == lane, floor
80. pjesë, -a, -e == une pièce == a piece
81. plazh, -i, -e == une plage == a beach
82. portë, -a, -a == une porte == a gate
83. pozicion, -i, -e == une position == a position
84. prezantim == présentation == presentation
85. principatë, -a, -a == une principauté == a principality, princedom
86. prozë, -a, -a == une prose == a prose
87. pulë, -a, -a == un poulet == a chicken
88. qershi, -a, - == une cerise == a cherry
89. qiell, -lli, -j == le ciel == the sky.
90. recepsioniste, -ja, -e == une réceptionniste == a receptionist (fem.)
91. rezultat, -i, -e == un résultat == a result
92. rigon, -i == origan == oregano
93. rol, -i, -e == un rôle == a role
94. roman, -i, -e == un roman == a novel
95. sallë, -a, -a == une salle == lobby, auditorium, room
96. sandale, -ja, -e == une sandale == a sandal
97. seri, -a, - == une série == a series
98. shans, -i, -e == une chance == a chance
99. shef, -i, -a == le chef == a chef, a chief, a boss
100. shifër, -ra, -ra == un chiffre == a figure, cipher
101. shofer, -i, -ë == un chauffeur == a driver
102. shurup, -i, -e == un sirop == a syrup
103. sistem, -i, -ë == un système == a system
104. strateg, -u, -ë == un stratège == a strategist
105. strategjik, -e == stratégique == strategic
106. studio, -ja, - == un studio == a studio
107. supë, -a, -a == une soupe == a soup
108. suvenir, -i, -e == un souvenir == a souvenir
109. tabelë, -a, -a == une table == (black)board
110. tarracë, -a, -a == une terrasse == a terrace
111. teatër, -ri, -ro - un théâtre - a theatre
112. teatralë, -e == théâtral == theatrical
113. teknik, -e == technique == technical
114. teknologji, -a, - == une technologie == a technology
115. temperaturë, -a, -a == une température == a temperature
116. transfertë, -a, -a == un transfert == a transfer, transaction
117. i,e trishtuar - triste - sad
118. temë, -a, -a == un thème == a theme, topic
119. tension, -i == une tension (artérielle) == blood pressure
120. traditë, -a, -a == une tradition == a tradition
121. trupë, -a, -a == une troupe == a troupe, company, band
122. universitet, -i, -e == une université == an university
123. valixhe, -ja, -e == une valise == a suitcase, baggage
124. vegjetal, -e == végétal == vegetable (adj.)
125. verandë, -a, -a == une véranda == a terrace, veranda
126. vitrinë, -a, -a == une vitrine == a shop window
127. vizë, -a, -a == un visa == a visa
128. vizitë, -a, -a == une visite == a visit
129. vizitor, -i, -ë == un visiteur == a visitor
130. vlerë, -a, -a == une valeur == a value

Loan words for Italian speakers

1. antipastë, -a, -a == un antipasto == an antipasti
2. argjend, -i == argento == silver
3. autobus, -i, -ë == un autobus == a bus
4. ballkon, -i, -e == un balcone == a balcony
5. biçikletë, -a, -a == una bicicletta == a bicycle
6. birrë, -a, -a == una birra == a beer
7. biskotë, -a, -a == un biscotto == a biscuit
8. bizele, -ja, -e == un pisello == a bean
9. çokolatë, -a, -a == una cioccolata == a chocolate
10. divan, -i, -e == un divano == a sofa, a couch
11. fitore, -ja, -e == una vittoria == a victory
12. forum, -i, -e == un forum == a forum
13. i,e fortë == forte == strong
14. i,e freskët == fresco == fresh
15. freskues, -e == rinfrescante == refreshing
16. garazh, -i, -e == un garage == a garage
17. gjigand, -i, -ë == un gigante == a giant
18. gjykatës, -i, - == un giudice == a judge
19. gusht, -i == agosto == August
20. higjenë, -a == igiene == hygiene
21. kakao, -ja, - == un cacao == a cocoa
22. kallamar, -i, -ë == un calamaro == a calamari
23. kamarier, -i, -ë == un camriere == a waiter
24. kamion, -i, -e == un camion == a truck
25. kapelë, -a, -a == un cappello == a cap (hat)
26. kapitull, -lli, -j == un capitolo == a chapter
27. kështjellë, -a, -a == un castello == a castle
28. krap,- i, krep == una carpa == a carp
29. klimë, -a, -a == un clima == a climate
30. libër, -ri, -ra == un libro == a book
31. limon, -i, -ë == un limone == a lemon
32. makinë, -a, -a == una macchina == a car
33. mit, -i, -e == un mito == a myth
34. mobilje, -a, -e == un mobile == furniture
35. nip, -i, -a == un nipote == a cousin
36. orë, -a, -ë == un'ora == an hour (or a clock)
37. origjinë, -a, -a == un'orignine == an origin
38. pacient, -i, -ë == un paziente == a patient (male)
39. paqe, -ja == pace == peace
40. papagall, -lli, -j == un pappagallo == a parrot
41. pantallona, -t == un pantalone == pants
42. patate, -ja, -e == una patata == a potato
43. patatinë, -a, -a == patatine == potato chips
44. peshk, -u, peshq == un pesce == a fish
45. peshkatar, -i, -ë == un pescatore == a fisherman
46. për == per == for, about
47. peshë, -a, -a == peso == weight
48. picë, -a, -a == una pizza == a pizza
49. pikant, -i, -ë == piccante == spicy
50. piktor, -i, -ë == un pittore == a painter
51. pjatë, -a, -a == un piatto == a plate, a dish, a course (food)
52. proshutë, -a, -a == un prosciutto == a ham (also means bacon)
53. salcë, -ë, -a == una salsa == a sauce
54. salsiçise, -ja, -e == una salsiccia == a sausage
55. sallatë, -a, -a == un'insalata == a salad
56. siguri, -a, - == una sicurezza == a security
57. skuadër, -ra, -ra == una squadra == a team
58. stilograf, -i, -ë == una penna stilografica == a fountain pen
59. tendencë, -a, -a == una tendenza == a tendency, trend
60. titull, -lli, -j == un titolo == a title
61. tortë, -a, -a == una torta == a cake
62. tradicional, -e == tradizionale == traditional
63. tren, -i, -a == un treno == a train
64. vazo, -ja, - == un vaso == a vaze
65. vilë, -a, -a == una villa == a villa

Loan words for English speakers

1. administrativ, -e == administrative
2. admirim, -i == admiration
3. aeroplan, -i, -ë == an airplane
4. aeroport, -i, -e == an airport
5. akademi, -a, - == an academy
6. aksident, -i, -e == an accident
7. aktiv, -e == active
8. aktivitet, -i, -e == an activity
9. aktor, -i, -ë == an actor
10. aleancë, -a, -a == an alliance
11. amerikan, -i, -ë == an American
12. amfiteatër, -ri, -ro == an amphitheater
13. antik, -e == antique
14. antikitet, -i == antiquity
15. antologji == an anthology
16. apartament, -i, -e == an apartment
17. arkeolog, -u, -ë == an archaeologist
18. arkeologjik, -e == archaeological
19. arkitekturor, -e == architectural
20. aromë, -a, -a == an aroma
21. artikull, -lli, -j == an article
22. artist, -i, -ë == an artist
23. artistik, -e == artistic
24. atmosferë, -a, -a == an atmosphere
25. audiencë, -a, -a == an audience
26. autoritet, -i, -ë == an authority
27. balet, -i, -e == a ballet
28. banane, -ia, -e == a banana
29. bankë, -a, -a == a bank
30. banknotë, -a, -a == a banknote
31. basketboll, -i == basketball
32. basketbollist, -i, -ë == a baskeball player
33. bazë, -ë, -a == a base
34. blu == blue
35. botanik, -e == botanical
36. brokoli == broccoli
37. celular, -e == cellular
38. ceremoni, -a, - == a ceremony
39. çek, -ku, -qe == a check (payment instrument)
40. datë, -a, -a == a date (time)
41. datoj == to date (time)
42. debat, -i, -e == a debate
43. dentar, -e == dental
44. dentist, -i, -ë == a dentist
45. derë, -a, dyer == a door
46. deshirë, -a, -a == a desire
47. deshiroj == to desire
48. dialekt, -i, -e == a dialect
49. dietë, -a, -a == a diet
50. diplomat, -i, -ë == a diplomat
51. diskutoj == to discuss
52. dixhital == digital
53. dizanoj == to design
54. dokument, -i, -e == a document
55. dokumentar, -i, -ë == a documentary
56. domate, -ja, -e == a tomato
57. edukatë, -a == an education
58. egoist, -i, -ë == an egoist
59. ekonomi, -a == economics
60. ekonomik, -e == economical
61. ekonomist, -i, -ë == an economist
62. ekskursion, -i, -e == an excursion
63. ekzekutues, -e == executive
64. elegant, -e == elegant
65. elektricitet, -i == electricity
66. elektronik, -e == electronic
67. estetik, -e == aesthetic
68. i famshëm, e famshme == famous
69. fazë, -a, -a == a phase
70. firmë, -a, -a == a firm (business)
71. fakt, -i, -e == a fact
72. fanellë, -a, -a == a flannel shirt, undershirt
73. i favorishëm, e -me == favourable
74. festival, -i, -e == a festival
75. filëte, -a, -a == a fillet
76. film, -i, -a == a film
77. financier, -i, -ë == a finacier
78. formë, -a, -a == a form, shape (paper or digital form is formular)
79. formoj == to form
80. fotografi, -a, - == a photograph
81. frutë, -a, -a == a fruit
82. furnizim, -i, -e == furnishing, supplies
83. futboll, -i == football (soccer)
84. galeri, -a, - == a gallery
85. gjerman, -i, -ë == German (nationality)
86. gjerman, -e == German (adj.)
87. gradë, -a, -a == a grade, quality
88. gjimnastikor, -i == gymnastic (adj.)
89. grup, -i, -e == a group
90. hamburger, -i, -ë == a hamburger
91. harmonik, -e == harmonic
92. hero, -i, -nj == a hero
93. historik, -e == historical
94. holl, -i, -e == a hall
95. hotel, -i, -e == a hotel
96. identifikim, -i, -e == an identification
97. ikonografik, -e == iconographic
98. imejl == email (also postë elektronike, email or e-mail)
99. individual, -e == individual (adj.)
100. infeksion, -i, -e == an infection
101. informativ, -e == informative
102. instrument, -i, -e == an instrument
103. intensivisht == intensively
104. intergritet == integrity
105. interes, -i, -a == an interest
106. internet, -i == the Internet
107. interpretim, -i, -e == an interpretation
108. interpretoj == to interpret
109. Itali, -a == Italy
110. italian, -e == Italian (adj.)
111. italian, -i, -ë == Italian (nationality
112. itinerar, -i, -e == an itinerary
113. janar, -i == January
114. ju == you
115. kamp, -i, -e == a a camp
116. katalog, -u, -ë == a catalogue
117. katastrofë, -a, -a == a catastrophe
118. kategori, -a, - == a category
119. klub, -i, -e == a club
120. kopjoj == to copy
121. kupë, -a, -a == a cup
122. letër, -ra, -ra == a letter, a card
123. lider == a leader
124. menaxher, -i, -ë == a manager
125. mineral == mineral
126. muzikë, -a == music
127. oksigjen, -i, -e == oxygen
128. pako, -ja, - == a pack, packet, parcel
129. park, -ku, -qe == a park
130. periudhë, -a, -a == a period
131. ping-pong == ping-pong, table tennis
132. piper, -i == pepper (table spice)
133. pjek == to bake
134. plan, -i, -e == a plan
135. poet, -i, -ë == a poet
136. polifoni, -a, - == a polyphony
137. popullor, -e == popular
138. porcelan, -i == porcelain
139. postë, -a, -a == mail, post office post
140. prill, -i == April
141. qendër, -a, -a == a center
142. radio, -ja, - == a radio
143. recital, -i, -e == a recital
144. restorant, -i, -e == a restaurant
145. reumatizëm, -mi, -ma == rheumatism
146. i,e saktë == exact
147. sandale == sandals
148. sanduiç, -i, -ë == a sandwich
149. sekret, -i, -e == a secret
150. sekretar, -i, -ë == a secretary
151. sekt, -i, -e == a sect
152. semestër, -ri, -ra == a semester
153. seminar, -i, -e == a seminar
154. sezon, -i, -e == a season
155. shkollë, -a, -a == a school
156. shtet, -i, -e == a state, country
157. simbolik, -e == symbolic, very cheap
158. simptomë, -a, -a == a symptom
159. sinjal, -i, -e == a signal
160. i,e sinqertë == sincere
161. situatë, -a, -a == a situation, condition
162. social, -e == social
163. solemn, -e == solemn, gala
164. specifikë, -a, -a == a specific feature
165. spektakël, -li, -le == a spectacle
166. spektator, -i, -ë == a spectator
167. spinaq, -i == spinach
168. spital, -i, -e == a hospital
169. sporadik, -e == sporadic
170. statut, -i, -e == a statute
171. sukses, -i, -e == success
172. stomak, -u, -ë == a stomach
173. stres, -i == stress
174. studioj == to study
175. taksi, -a, - == a taxi
176. tekst, -i, -e == a text
177. telefon, -i, -a == a telephone
178. telefon celular == a cell phone
179. tempull, -lli, -j == a temple
180. transferim, -i, -e == a transfer
181. turist, -i, -ë == a tourist
182. turistik, -e == touristic
183. vaksinë, -a, -a == a vaccine
184. vanilje, -a == vanilla
185. variant, -i, -e == a variant, variation
186. vëllim, -i, -e == volume
187. vitaminë, -a, -a == a vitamin
188. vizitoj == to visit
189. volejboll, -i == volleyball
190. xhaketë, -a, -a == a jacket
191. xhinse == jeans, denim
192. zero == zero
193. zonë, -a, -a == zone, area, region

Loan words for Swedish speakers / Lån ord för svensktalande

1. fabrikë == en fabrik - a factory
2. konkurrencë == en konkurrens - competition (market)
3. natë, -e, net == en natt - a night.
4. provë, -a, -a == ett prov == a test, experiment, fitting
5. provoj == prova == to try
6. radhë -a, -ë == en rad == a row
7. shkumë == en skum == a foam

Loan words for Russian speakers

1. banjë, -a, -a == ванная == bathroom
2. bankomat, -i, -e == Банкомат == an ATM
3. çaj, -i == чай == tea
4. diabet, -i == диабет == diabetes
5. gazetë, -a,- a == газета == a newspaper
6. jug == юг == south
7. kukull, -a, -a == кукла == a doll
8. pallto, -ja, - == пальто == a coat
9. shah, -u == шах == chess
10. televizor, -i, -ë == телевизор == television set
11. ti == ты == you (singular)

Loan words for Turkish speakers

1. bakllava, -ja, - == baklava == baklava
2. byrek, -u, -ë == börek == a savory pie
3. hamam == hamam == Turkish bath
4. kolltuk, -u, kolltuqe == koltuk == armchair, seat
5. osman, -e == Osmanlı == ottoman
6. sulltan, -i, -ë == sultan == a sultan
7. sheqer, -i == şeker == sugar
8. shishe, -ja, -e == şişe == a bottle
9. shisqebap, -i, -e == şiş kebap == shish kebab

Loan words for German speakers

• mensë, -a, -a == die Mensa == a school cafeteria, a cantine

Loan words for Latin speakers

1. e mërkurë, -a, -a == Mercurii == Wednesday
2. monedhë, -a, -a == monetæ == coin, coinage, small change

Loan words for Spanish speakers

1. telenovelë, -a, -a == una telenovela == a soap opera

False friends

1. i,e habitur == surprised, astonished
2. konvikt, -i, -e == a dormitory
3. koran, -i, -ë == a trout
4. verdhë == yellow

Resources for learning Albanian

Books for learning Albanian

• Colloquial Albanian (2012) is an excellent book for anglophones by Linda Mëniku and Héctor Campos. It is concise and well organized. The learning curve gets steeper towards the end. Routledge, the publisher has kindly made audio for all text passages downloadable for free from the book's homepage. As of 2018 the vocabulary of this excellent book have not yet been made to a memrise. A previous edition in the same Colloquial series from the early 90's does have a memrise of the vocabulary.
• Discovering Albanian 1 (2011) is also by Linda Mëniku and Héctor Campos and it consists of a textbook and workbook. As of 2018 there is no Discovering Albanian 2. The audio for the textbook can be accessed only via 2 CD's. Who has CD-players these days? Let's hope The University of Wisconsin Press wakes up and provides streaming and download at no extra charge.

Albanian radio

• There are various streaming apps available in the app stores.
• Live Online Radio is a radio streaming service for the web. It has one of the largest selections of Albanian radios.
• Radio.garden has a beautiful user interface where you tune into radios by spinning a globe to the desired location of transmission.

Albanian TV

• https://albanian.tv/ offers streaming of many of the popular Albanian TV channels. It often works but occasionally the streams have trouble playing out without intermittent interruptions.
• The RTSH Tani app is available for Android and iOS Apple phones. With the app you can access all the channels broadcast by RTSH including RTSH Film. The app does not have ads (excellent) whereas the RTSH channels do have ads. RTSH Tani app also features a VOD archive where you can watch recent programs up-to-2-days into the broadcasting history and a handy integrated EPG.

Films with Albanian subtitles

• These you can find on Youtube by searching for 'filma me titra shqip'. Watching movies spoken in a language you understand while reading the subtitles in the language you want to learn is an excellent way to learn and refresh in a low-effort manner.
• There are also Albanian films. These are unfortunately not subtitled and the speech is often really rapid. French do subtitle some of their own films on TV5MONDE to aid the non-natives tackle the 5 words per second pace.

Wiki literature

• Wikibooks.org, Albanian version may be useful after you have gained the basics. Reading wikibooks of subjects and fields you already know may fast-forward your ability to read some text.
• Albanian Wikipedia Same advice, select subjects this way you have a clear idea of what it is likely to say. Wikipedia writing is less predictable than a textbook.

Online texts

• Foreign Services Institute (FSI) (1965) .pdf book on Albanian. From this I can recommend the history introduction of this text aimed mostly for US armed forces personel though naturally the FSI's work helps also non-military government workers to gain knowledge too. Albanian language has changed so much since 1965 that this cannot really be used to learn contemporary albanian but the intro is good if you are a history and culture puff.

Learning games

• Some flashcard software may be useful for learning specialized vocabulary. See the Wikipedia list of flashcard software for options.

• https://memrise.com is a spaced repetition flashcard and beyond language learning game and it has various memrises of varying quality. Memrise programs your brain slightly differently than traditional methods of vocabulary acquisition.

• Basic Albanian 1 (~170 things to learn) and
• Basic Albanian 2 (~210 things to learn) are of high quality, simple intros to the basic building blocks made by BaaS, an apparent memrise genius if you look at his productivity, scope and quality of his work.
• (No typing) Albanian Menu (~110 things to learn). " For people intending to travel to Albania this memrise obviously highly recommendable as we all gotta eat. No typing"-courses are fun because they are faster to play so you also get points faster.
• Discovering Albanian 1 (~1800 things to learn) a professional quality memrise based on the vocabulary lists of the book of the same name. This memrise contains audio in high quality, consistency and precision for practically all words and phrases to be learned. This memrise has over 1800 things to learn so it is the biggest available. The makers of this memrise have used sensible notation: For nouns indefinite and definite singular and indefinite plural are given etc. etc.
• Albanian Verbs (~480 things to learn). Teaches you the 1st person singular form of verbs (Albanian has no infinitives) with the exception of "to be" and "to have" where all present tense forms are taught in the last level.