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Rosetta Stone vs Pimsleur

Tuesday, September 17th

2024 Hebrew Lesson Reviews

Rosetta Stone Review 5 Star Rating

Rosetta Stone

5 Star Rating
  • Priced $47 per quarter, $126 per year, or $199 one-time
  • Immersion-based approach
  • 3-day free trial
  • TruAccent feature for perfecting your Hebrew pronunciation
  • Award-winning app plus desktop access
  • Can use both offline and online
  • Seek & Speak tool (iOS and Android)
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • 4.8-star average from users
  • "A+” rating from the BBB
Top Consumer Reviews Best-In-Class Blue Ribbon Award

Rosetta Stone, a globally recognized language learning platform, offers Hebrew lessons with an affordable online subscription model and a 3-day free trial. With tools like TruVoice speech recognition and a unique immersive approach, it provides a real-world basis for Hebrew language acquisition. The pricing includes options for 3-month, 12-month, or lifetime memberships, and the platform, known for preserving endangered languages, holds an "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau, earning its Hebrew lessons a top-tier 5-star rating for its effective and comprehensive learning methods.

Pimsleur Review 4 Star Rating

Pimsleur

4 Star Rating
  • Pricing from $19.95 to $20.95 per month or $164.95 per year
  • Listening approach
  • Preview content
  • 7-day free trial
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • Can use both online and in the car
  • Mobile apps for Android
  • 4.4-star average user rating

Pimsleur offers a learning approach focusing on listening. The method, now accessible online, includes a free Hebrew lesson and a 7-day trial, making it user-friendly. While lacking advanced features, Pimsleur's audio-based lessons, costing $19.95 per month, earn it a strong rating, praised for effectiveness by language bloggers and learners who appreciate its longstanding success.

Where Can You Find the Best Hebrew Lessons?

Suppose you find yourself contemplating a relocation to Israel, or maybe just a trip to visit the Holy Land. Maybe you'd like to reconnect with your culture, learn more about a new one, or brush up on some courses you took in school. No matter what your reason is, finding affordable Hebrew lessons that fit into your daily routine can be a hassle.

There are many reasons why online Hebrew lessons have surged in popularity. For most people, securing in-person lessons isn't a viable option. Whether it's too expensive or takes too much time driving from lesson to lesson, in-person learning can be a huge roadblock to moving forward with your language learning goals, particularly if you're not located in a Hebrew-speaking area.

The Best Hebrew Lessons Compare Hebrew Lessons Compare Hebrew Lesson Reviews What are the best Hebrew Lessons Best Hebrew Lesson Reviews

Hebrew Lesson FAQ

About nine million people around the world speak Hebrew, with five million using it as their native language. Also, many Jewish children outside of Israel attend Hebrew school two days a week from kindergarten through 10th grade, both to learn the language and deepen their religious understanding.
There are typically three main categories of Hebrew: modern, ancient, and the Yiddish dialect (which is actually derived from High German and mixed with Hebrew, originating in Central Europe with the Ashkenazi Jewish community). Most online Hebrew courses focus on the modern language as used in Israel and by speakers in other parts of the world. However, if you're interested in Hebrew specifically for understanding ancient scripture (like the Bible) or for communicating with Hasidic and Haredi Jews in Yiddish, it might be worth it to look for lessons that focus on those purposes.
You'll probably find Hebrew more challenging than your average Spanish or French class. Hebrew uses a different alphabet, is written from right to left, and has no vowels! The State Department ranks Hebrew as a Category III language on a difficulty scale from I to IV; the only languages designated as harder to learn than Hebrew are Arabic, Chinese, Japanese and Korean. But, with the right language program combined with your hard work and patience, you can absolutely learn to speak, read and write in Hebrew.
Start by learning the 22-letter "aleph bet” - yes, the Hebrew alphabet! Remember that you'll be reading from right to left, too. From there, work on basic vocabulary and verbs; don't worry too much about the pronunciation, because most native speakers of Hebrew are very understanding towards language learners. And, like any other language study, you'll be successful if you give yourself plenty of opportunities to learn and practice - daily if possible.
If you live in a community with many Jewish people, you might be able to find Hebrew lessons. But, will they fit your schedule? Can you get into the class? Are the classes geared primarily towards children? And, you're out of luck if you don't live near a Jewish community or a university that offers Hebrew courses. Learning Hebrew online is not only the most convenient way for you to study, but it's probably the most affordable too.
You may need to change the settings on your computer if you want to be able to type in Hebrew. Search for the instructions specific to your operating system (i.e. Windows or Mac). Alternately, you can use an online Hebrew keyboard that doesn't require you to make any big changes to your computer's settings.
Not at all. You can get Hebrew lessons on a month-to-month plan for anywhere from $4 to $30 per month, depending on the complexity of the program you select. Other language programs give you a one-time download or access to books and CDs that are yours to keep; you'll pay between $10 and $200 for these Hebrew lessons. Whichever format you choose, you'll spend much less than you would if you paid for per-credit-hour Hebrew coursework at a university.
It depends. Some providers offer a satisfaction guarantee that gives you a refund up to a certain timeframe, usually 30-60 days. Others may allow you to cancel your subscription at any time, but without giving you money back on your previous months' payments. It's a good idea to take advantage of any free trials or sample lessons offered for the Hebrew lessons you're considering; you'll get a feel for how the program approaches teaching and whether it's a good match for your learning style.
Compare the Best Reviews

Continued from above...

Luckily, the digital world of online learning opens up tons of possibilities that didn't exist before. Whether your Hebrew learning style tends towards auditory experiences, written practice, or speaking exercises, different Hebrew lesson programs place a deliberate emphasis on learning styles that fit your needs.

You can immerse yourself in audio files, encompassing syllables, words, phrases, and sentences for the purpose of repetition. Or if you're a visual learner, opt for a Hebrew language platform that ingeniously gamifies the entire learning trajectory. This includes not only grammar intricacies and writing exercises but also incorporates speech recognition software to facilitate a side-by-side comparison of your pronunciation with that of a native speaker.

Furthermore, virtually all online Hebrew lessons exhibit a commitment to infusing cultural and historical dimensions into your study sessions. Given the profound historical backdrop and symbolic significance of Hebrew, a nuanced understanding of the language often necessitates delving into its historical roots and comprehending its contemporary contextual applications.

You can also expect many modern options to use more conversational Hebrew like you would find if you talked to a native speaker in Israel. This way, you're not stuck with archaic grammar exercises or phrases that feel out of touch with modern language.

As you navigate the wide array of online Hebrew lessons, it might seem a little overwhelming at first. We've put together some helpful criteria to make sure you find the best fit:

  • Teaching methodology. What kind of learner are you? Do you prefer learning by listening? Maybe podcasts or narration are ideal for you? Do you prefer writing or gamified exercises to keep you engaged? While many Hebrew lessons incorporate all (or at least multiple) learning modalities, other platforms place heavy emphasis on one style or another. Keep in mind how you learn best to make sure you pick the right platform for your Hebrew studies.
  • Free trial option. The best Hebrew lessons let you test out the program before you pay. Keep an eye out for free trials, and how long they are, and be extra cautious if a company doesn't offer one. Language learning is a very personal thing, so you'll want to make sure the platform's lesson materials work for you in practice and not just in theory.
  • Cost vs. value. While the subscription price (or one-time fee) can be a huge part of your decision-making, you may want to check out the value for your money too. How many lessons will you get for what you spend? Does the program cover the difficulty levels you need? How many features does the service offer?
  • Reputation. While many Hebrew lesson providers aren't listed by the Better Business Bureau, there are tons of reviews on third-party sites and mobile apps to consider. Make sure that other students like you are succeeding with the platform of your choice.

To make your Hebrew learning journey the best it can be, Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated and ranked the best options for taking Hebrew lessons available online today. We hope this helps you reach your ideal level of fluency whether you're learning for travel, for culture, or for fun. Hebrew is now in your reach with the right learning platform for you!

The Best Reviews of Hebrew Lessons