This specialization constitutes an essential component of the International Master's in Jewish Education. It is provided as one of the program's tracks and is exclusively conducted in Hebrew.
This specialization offers comprehensive training in the development of Modern Hebrew and its instruction as a second language within the Jewish diaspora. Throughout this program, students acquire both theoretical insights and practical resources for teaching Hebrew across diverse educational and community settings, both in Israel and internationally. The specialization presents educators with a unique opportunity for professional development and growth. It addresses the increasing demand among Jewish communities in the diaspora to enhance Hebrew education. The program integrates an understanding of the history, culture, and evolution of Hebrew with innovative pedagogical skills, thereby preparing teachers to design and evaluate high-quality programs.
The general objectives are:
- To enhance awareness and understanding of the pivotal role played by the Hebrew language in the development of the Jewish Yishuv and the founding of the State of Israel.
- To broaden educators' expertise in the linguistic components that underpin the evolution of Modern Hebrew, with the objective of enriching and elevating the standard of Hebrew instruction.
- To offer exposure to the theoretical frameworks concerning foreign language acquisition broadly, and Hebrew acquisition among the diaspora specifically, including their practical applications..
As part of their studies, students will acquire the following knowledge and skills:
- Understanding the development of Modern Hebrew and the related cultural, historical, and ethical contexts.
- Introduction to the dynamics of multilingualism and multiculturalism in Hebrew-speaking communities worldwide.
- Familiarity with theories and research approaches in the fields of psycholinguistics, language acquisition, language teaching, and the relationship between language and society.
- Development of pedagogical skills to adapt Hebrew language instruction to a wide variety of populations.
- Acquisition of tools to design, manage, and evaluate Hebrew learning programs, including setting objectives, developing teaching materials, and assessing the effectiveness of the learning process.
The program will be delivered through a blended learning model, integrating synchronous components (either in-person on campus or remotely via online conferencing) and asynchronous components.
All courses in this option will be taught in Hebrew.
Students who wish to specialize in this option must complete 12 credits (6 required courses) as part of the 36-credit degree program.
Following the list of courses:
- Living Hebrew: Founding texts, culture and values in teaching Hebrew as a second language
- The Revival of Spoken Hebrew: cultural and linguistic aspects
- The acquisition of Hebrew as an additional language: theoretical and practical perspectives
- Language skills: listening, reading, speaking, and writing
- Teaching, learning, assessment, and evaluation methods based on CEFR
- From reception to production: from speaking to writing
Admission Conditions.
Students desiring to pursue the Hebrew teaching specialization must satisfy the following prerequisites:
- An undergraduate degree from a recognized university with a final grade of 80. Admission with a lower grade is conditional upon completing supplementary studies.
- English language proficiency at an 'exempt' level.
- Hebrew language proficiency at an 'exempt' level.
- A teacher or coordinator for practicing Hebrew learners.