<HTML>I teach Hebrew at MTA (Yeshiva University High School). This year I
started teaching using "HaYesod" which is a 'dry' book going through
Hebrew grammar. In mid-year I switched to using Bou Nilmad Ivrit which is
a book used by ulpanim. The former style was focusing on teaching Hebrew
grammar while the latter was focusing on Conversational Hebrew. There is
no doubt that students definitely enjoyed the conversational Hebrew format
more than the focus on Hebrew grammar. However, what should we be focusing
on - conversation or grammar?
The reason I switched to a conversational style was because of question
another educator asked me. She asked me: How did you learn Hebrew? (I am
American). I answered my father used to talk to me in Hebrew and I went to
Yeshiva of Flatbush elementary where we spoke in Hebrew (and had grammar
classes). I picked up the grammar from the conversation. Later, in Yeshiva
College and in Revel graduate school I took Hebrew where the focus was on
grammar and then Hebrew grammar was easier for me and also made sense.
My questions are the following:
A. What should be our primary goal in our HS? knowledge of Grammar or
Conversation?
B. Lately, I have spoken to my professors at Yeshiva College and Revel
graduate school and they have told me that the students' Hebrew is getting
worse. In addition, in a hesder yeshiva I visited recently I was shocked
to find that one of the Rebbeim switched from Hebrew to English in
shiur (this was a top shiur to Americans). What is happening with Hebrew
in HS today? It seems to me that Hebrew is the basis for all Torah
studies. Why can't it be treated seriously?
C. I am interested in visiting or speaking to Hebrew teachers and hearing
their ideas on teaching Hebrew and hopefully implementing that in MTA (in
the limited time allotted)
D. Has anyone used or heard of the book Bou Nilmad Ivrit? What do you
think? How about Hevenu Shalom Aleichem (video and workbook)? Are there
any other books or resources you recommend?
Please e-mail me privately also at
mta-israel@ymail.yu.edu
=Uriel Lubetski =
=Yeshiva University High School =
=2540 Amsterdam Ave. =
=New York, NY 10033</HTML>
