Continuing Workshop: Teaching Hebrew as a Second Language Today: Audiences, Materials, Methods

Teaching Hebrew as a Second Language Today: Audiences, Materials, Methods

Jerusalem, July 30 - August 3, 2017 / 7-11 Av 5777

Workshop Director:
Dr. Tania Notarius, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

The International Center for University Teaching of Jewish Civilization is pleased to announce that it is now accepting applications for this year’s session of the Continuing Workshop on University Teaching of the Hebrew Language. The workshop will take place in Jerusalem from Sunday through Thursday, July 30 - August 3, 2017 / 7-11 Av 5777, and will focus on Teaching Hebrew as a Second Language Today: Audiences, Materials, and Methods.

The International Center's workshops on University Teaching of the Hebrew Language are designed to meet the interests of the professors of Hebrew in universities outside of Israel and to provide theoretical knowledge and practical tools relevant for their teaching. The workshop includes meetings with scholars and Hebrew teachers from Israel and abroad, as well as sessions in small groups of colleagues held in an informal setting, aimed to promote fruitful discussion and interchange of ideas.

Today teaching Hebrew as a second language is a challenging issue.  To a great extent the world today is dominated by English, and students are in need of special motivation to study other languages. The instructors of Hebrew often report decreasing number of students, programs closed, and positions cancelled. In the internet world, while on-line dictionaries, grammatical descriptions, or automatic translations are a matter of a click on the key-board, foreign language teachers strive to offer interesting and efficient courses in order to involve students in the time-consuming endeavor of learning a new language.

The field of Hebrew teaching is in search of methodological standards. Uniform requirements are desirable for placement, academic curriculum, and grading processes. Often there is no real coordination between different institutions concerning the scope of the instructed material or academic goals.  Notwithstanding differences in level, background, and specialization of students, the field is in need of considerable unification, launching innovative and advanced methods.

This year's workshop will face many of these questions.  The lectures, round-table discussions, and practical seminars will concentrate on writing programs and examinations, applying attractive and efficient methods, processing evaluation. Particular emphasis will be laid on practical tools of teaching basic syntactic issues (e.g., the prepositions) and writing skills on different levels.

This year the workshop is arranged in junction with the Pre-Congress of the Division of Hebrew Language Instruction of the Rothberg International School for Overseas Students. The workshop participants will attend the Pre-Congress (at no additional cost), and will have an opportunity to hold joint discussion on various issues connected to Hebrew teaching, conducted by the Division teachers. The workshop program will also include a visit and lectures at the Academy Language (the co-organizer of this workshop). In the varied sessions the workshop participants are also welcome to present the results of their teaching experience.

General information:

• Participation is limited to a small number of university teachers of Hebrew language, chosen from applicants from all over the world.

• The costs of accommodation, board, and travel to and from Israel are the responsibility of participants or their sponsoring institutions.
• The fee for participation in the workshop is $350 (in case of financial need, assistance is available upon application. Please submit your reasoned request for financial assistance together with your registration to the program).
• The program of the workshop will be published in the closest future.

Interested applicants should submit a CV by e-mail or fax to:

International Center for University Teaching of Jewish Civilization

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Tel: +972-2-5881770; Fax: +972-2-5819096;

E-mail:  jewish.civilization@mail.huji.ac.il