The Best Way to Learn to Speak Hebrew

Use Hebrew study guides that you can easily understand.

Learning a new language, especially one like Hebrew, requires a lot of practice and patience. It will be difficult initially, but with perseverance will get easier as time goes by. Attending a Hebrew class or hiring an instructor is one way to learn to speak Hebrew. You also can check your local library and bookstore for study guides and tapes.

Instructions

1. Test yourself to see what type of learner you are. You might learn better with visual cues on a video or computer, or you might prefer to listen to tapes. A more active way to learn is by doing -- acting out each new word. Spend as much time as possible listening to Hebrew study tapes, reading books, and practicing by repeating the words and phrases out loud. The more you practice, the easier it will get. Use study guides that you find easy and enjoyable. Study every day for a few hours.

2. Learn the most common Hebrew words first, like "hello" and "thank you." When you learn a new word, link it to a word you already know in English that either sounds or looks similar. This is called the link method. Listen specifically for sentence structures and how verbs, nouns, adjectives and adverbs are arranged. Use those rules to create your own sentences as you go through the day.

3. Create a list of Hebrew words you can practice. Write them on flashcards and review them every time you get the chance. Set a goal for how many new words or phrases you want to learn in a day. Practice saying what you have learned with friends and family, even if they do not understand you. Saying the words over again will help you remember them and also help improve your pronunciations.

References

• Hebrew Resources: How to Learn Hebrew
• Pick The Brain: How to Learn a Foreign Language
• Mind Tools: How to Learn a Foreign Language