second language

You cannot truly appreciate a people group without knowing the language that they use. In teaching students a second language, you will benefit yourself and your students. It will deepen your own appreciation of the language and culture you are teaching, and your students will catch your enthusiasm as you teach them Hebrew as a second language.

One reason Hebrew unique is that it is the only ancient language which has been brought back as an up-to-date, modern spoken language. It is the language of modern Israel, and of Judaism. When you read Hebrew, you are reading a language that probably began to exist in the eleventh or tenth century B.C.

Teachers and students alike have resources available to aid them in the adventure of learning Hebrew. Books with explanations, clarifications, and practice exercises for each step along the way are invaluable. A hebrew english dictionary, can be very helpful.

Hebrew is primarily a verbal language. The immediate hurdle for beginning students is to learn to make the sounds associated with the Hebrew alphabet. It is challenging to try to learn to speak Hebrew on your own, and you would be wise to find an expert Hebrew tutor.

Students must be willing to speak up as they learn. They need to regularly repeat aloud the sounds and words of Hebrew as they study them. Nothing else is as effective for learning a language as practicing the sounds often, and correctly--preferably with a native speaker, or someone who has mastered the language.

Reading and writing Hebrew smoothly and correctly require using the Hebrew alphabet--a different alphabet than we use in English. Hebrew is a pictograph language, written (and read) from right to left. Verb markings are complex, and require focused attention in order to use them correctly.

The good news is that Hebrew has a relatively small vocabulary, and the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet are are all consonants. Vowels were not used until five or six centuries after the New Testament of the Bible was written.

Another thing that makes Hebrew interesting is that you probably already know some Hebrew words. Do you know anyone named "David?" David means, "beloved" in Hebrew. Have you ever shouted "Hallelujah?" That, too, is a Hebrew word. Many people use the Hebrew word "shalom" without realizing the depth of meaning of that particular word: it is a word picture of wishing well-being in every sense. You may find a number of Hebrew-based words in everyday reading.

Above all, enjoy your Hebrew lessons. This is your opportunity to bridge the past with the present and to plumb the depths of an ancient culture which continues to affect our world today.