<HTML>Re:Lookjed 59 - some thoughts on Hebrew Instruction in High School Having
a basic dikduk type workbook like yesodot halashon is worthwhile, but a
language program must be a LIVING thing -language is literature,
communication and more. We need to learn from the research done on second
language teaching as well as the whole language approach.
"Tachlis", this means using quality literature, giving students
opportunities to do lots of writing, and most importantly speaking (about
real and relevant things and not just short answers). I have used the
booklets put out by gesher and formed reading groups in my high school
classes. I would sometimes group students homogeneously and give different
books to different groups, and sometimes heterogeneously. Students have
enjoyed stories by Shalom Aleichem, Peretz and Agnon (among others) and I
have tried to coordinate them with the study of Jewish history of the same
period. Groups read the story out loud sometimes or work on questions in
their groups and discuss what they have read and I monitor the groups and
also require written assignments based on what=92s been read.
Speaking is very important and in some classes I have had a yom chadashot.
I have used Israeli newspapers in easy Hebrew and sometimes short segments
of regular Israeli papers. In one class I was able to have weekly sichot
given by the students on topics like acting out being in a restaurant,
talking on the phone to a friend, creating a commercial, etc. I also try
to get material in Hebrew of special interest to a group -whether it be
sports in Hebrew, the KFC menu, Simon and Garfunkle and Bob Dylan, etc.
Writing is also important and students have a yoman in which they write
about current issues. They are always given a choice and can offer an
alternate topic to write about.
I have used Hebrew mad libs and read part of a story for them to finish,
and have asked them to rewrite stories they didn't like.
These, "al regel achat", are some strategies I have used in high school. I
recognize that it is far from ideal and that we need a systematic program
at the high school level similar to the very successful Tal Sela Program
for elementary school. But for the teacher who needs some ideas now I hope
this can be useful.
I would like to emphasize also the importance of Ivrit b'Ivrit if we wish
to educate a generation who will be able to study primary texts without
"the artscroll digests".
Barbara Freedman
Hebrew Academy, Montreal</HTML>
