The 6 Best Hebrew Lessons
Where is the Best Place to Learn Hebrew?
When you think of learning Hebrew, an image of young children reciting the Shema before bed may come to mind. While it's true that Jewish youngsters are often taught Hebrew from an early age, both at home and in special schools, many teenagers and adults also find themselves interested in this language that is so rich in history and symbolism.
Currently spoken by approximately five million people in Israel and two million others throughout the world, Hebrew enjoys a prominent historical place on the world's stage as one of the primary original languages of the Bible. And, with Israel rapidly growing as a global science and technology hub, being able to speak Hebrew can be an important inroad for business transactions.
Thursday, May 13th
2021 Hebrew Lesson Reviews
Transparent Language
Transparent Language provides Hebrew lessons in two main ways: an online subscription geared towards adults and a downloadable (Windows) program for children. If you like flexibility in your approach to lesson order and don't need mastery requirements to keep you focused, you will love Transparent Language's Hebrew program. It earns our top ranking for Hebrew Lessons.
Rosetta Stone
Rosetta Stone may be the first name that comes to mind when deciding how to learn a new language. Their Hebrew lessons are provided as a two-year online subscription, on CD-ROM, or via download. Rosetta Stone does not include Hebrew in their free 3-day trial, but with a 30-day money-back guarantee you can try any of the three versions risk-free.
Hebrew Pod 101
Hebrew Pod 101, from Innovative Language, uses a variety of approaches - such as audio, video, and written - to teach Hebrew and includes a selection of content across several fluency levels. The user interface can be confusing, and some customers may be put off by the heavy "limited offer" sales pitch. We recommend trying the 7-day free trial before committing to a paid membership.
Living Language
Living Language offers a 46-lesson online Hebrew program, as well as print and audio formats for learners who don't have easy access to a computer. At the time of our review, however, Living Language was not offering their most complete package (Platinum) with their Hebrew lessons, and there's no satisfaction guarantee allowing students to get a refund if they're unhappy with the structure of the language instruction.
Pimsleur
Pimsleur is worth your consideration if your preferred method of learning is by hearing. Famous for delivering language instruction through audio lessons, Pimsleur teaches Hebrew using a series of conversations and explanations. But, Pimsleur's Hebrew lessons may too expensive for many students, especially for those who want to learn in ways that go beyond listening.
Hebrew Podcasts
Hebrew Podcasts teaches conversational Hebrew as it is spoken in Israel today. Curious learners can find descriptions and samples of their video content on the site as well as 10 podcasts in the iTunes store. However, the podcast content doesn't seem to have been updated for several years, despite the name of the service, and the video content we were able to preview seemed somewhat amateurish. We definitely suggest that customers try the free lesson samples on the site before committing to a subscription.
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Hebrew is also designated as a critical language by the US government, largely because of the close political ties between Israel and America, as well as the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. Whether you plan on traveling to Israel or doing business with native speakers in the U.S., modern technology allows you to study Hebrew according to your own schedule.
You can even study on-the-go, as most providers of these language lessons have convenient mobile apps and audio files that can be used anytime.
As you select a program to help you learn Hebrew for the first time or improve what you already know, you'll want to identify your preferred learning style. For instance, if you learn well by listening, choose Hebrew lessons primarily delivered in an audio format, such as MP3 or CD-based lessons that you can play while driving or relaxing at home.
Alternately, if you know that the way to make your learning stick is by seeing it in print or on a video, look for Hebrew lessons with many opportunities to read, watch, and see what you're studying.
An essential question as you compare Hebrew lessons is if you will need to be able to read and write in the Hebrew language as well as understand and speak it. If that's the case, your Hebrew lessons should include in-depth coverage of the written language, because it is very different from the English alphabet you already know.
For instance, Hebrew is written from right to left using 27 letters - and no vowels! - and it may take some time to wrap your head around the sounds that match each letter.In short, there are three main factors to evaluate as you choose the Hebrew lessons that match your goals, individual learning style, and budget. These include:
- Instructional Methods. If the program you're evaluating offers a free trial, give it a test run. Do you feel interested and inspired or confused and frustrated? Is the overall structure of the lessons (auditory, visual, heavy on text, and so on) a good fit for your preferred learning style?
- Skill Level. Do you need to have any experience with Hebrew to use the program? As you progress in your fluency, will you need to purchase further software, subscriptions, or access? Will the program take you beyond a beginning level of fluency when you're ready for more advanced lessons?
- Value. Does the program have a solid track record of success with current and previous students? Will you gain enough fluency in Hebrew to make the purchase price or subscription costs worth the investment?
TopConsumerReviews.com has reviewed and ranked the best Hebrew Lessons available today. We hope these reviews will help you choose the ideal Hebrew lessons to quickly set you on the path to fluency!
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