[HANASHIR:15476] college Hebrew courses

[Joy Newman <joyzee...>]

Hello:

I am actually currently taking a beginner's Hebrew course, and I love it.  
Granted I'm 19 (almost 20!!!), and an undergraduate sophomore, but 
still....I like the course.

The vast majority of people in my class knew how to read on the first day. 
Therefore we spent VERY little time on the alphabet/reading skills, and 
those who came into the class with no prior knowledge struggled for awhile.  
That's not to say that they haven't caughten up, but it took a few weeks.  
On that same token, all vocabulary is focused on conversation.  We are not 
learning any biblical or prayer-orientated words.

My suggestions:
- Take a "learn to read Hebrew class" somewhere in your community.  This 
will enable you to learn the alphabet at a reasonable pace, with other 
adults like yourself.

-  Then explore your options.  If you have a good adult education program 
where you live, try sitting in on some of the beginner classes, and see how 
it goes.  If not, explore the universities near you.  I STRONGLY feel that 
having a good foundation in the language, conversational or otherwise, will 
help you SIGNIFICANTLY in the long run.  Auditing a college class would 
allow you to learn about the structure and grammar of the language that all 
too often community classes leave out.  And if you're auditing, there is no 
requirement to learn any of the vocabulary.  You can learn what you feel is 
useful, and ignroe what you don't want.

Good luck!!!

~smile always~
-Joy Newman

University of Rochester
Rochester, NY

_________________________________________________________________
Help protect your PC.  Get a FREE computer virus scan online from McAfee. 
http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963

------------------------ hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org -----------------------+
Hosted by Shamash: The Jewish Network  http://shamash.org  
A service of Hebrew College, which offers online courses and an
online MA in Jewish Studies, http://hebrewcollege.edu/online/ 

* * FREE JEWISH LEARNING * *
Shamash invites you to join MyJewishLearning.com, a comprehensive,
objective, authoritative and interactive learning resource in all areas
of Judaism.  Free membership via http://www.myjewishlearning.com/shamash
------------------------ hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org -----------------------=