Customer Reviews

Hebrew: A Language Course Primer

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you order this book, you'll probably come away with the impression I did: these other reviewers are friendly with the author. There is nary a word of English instruction in this book, and it is almost impossible, to my eyes, for the beginning student of Hebrew or the novice to use it without formal instruction. This is a classroom textbook and a not a guide for for self-starters or at-home learners, so far as I can see.

This book is the best I've found for the novice Hebrew reader. It teaches the aleph-bet and a starting vocabulary. I found the cartoons scattered throughout the book a little off the wall, but I have learned a lot from the book. It takes the novel approach of not teaching the letters in the order they show up in the aleph-bet, but instead teaches the letters in order of frequency of use. After the first section a newcomer to the language can even read and speak a few basic sentences. This is the first book in a 4 part series, a prelude of sorts. For the others, check out:

Hebrew : A Language Course Level One ISBN:0874413311

Hebrew : A Language Course Level 2 ISBN:0874413605

Hebrew : A Language Course, Level 3 ISBN:0874413818

This was my textbook in Israeli middle school. It's a good, complete book, but it's very hard to get through without a teacher or translator to make sure you understand the assignments and instructions.

The Hebrew Primer is the first in a series of books (there are 3 others) that stress conversational Hebrew. The primer breaks down the Aleph-Bet (alphabet), presents stories, and also conversations. The book stresses the Sephardic pronunciation used in Israel, and even has an introduction to script. The final section of the book is very helpful, with a listing of the vowels (including the dangerous diphthongs), some Bible verses, and even songs to help you read and speak the language.

We are using this book in a college class, and I will be using this book to teach a beginning Hebrew Conversation class. Note that is not Biblical Hebrew (for that, see "The First Hebrew Primer"), but the emphasis is on conversation and reading. You won't find detailed discussions of fine points in the language here, such as the use of a patach versus of a kamats, because these are technical issues that really don't affect comprehension of the language as it is currently spoken and written.

Some reviewers have complained that the book is not useful for individual study. It is not hard to see why at first glance. However, these reviewers were probably unaware that there is a tape set that can be purchased with the book (although I had to look around to find it; some Messianic sites have the tapes, such as HaKesher). In the text the authors have a series of sounds using combinations of letters (some are actually words) to stress certain sounds. In the tape, one of the authors reads the sounds, and also reads the stories and dialogues. Without the tape, yes it would be difficult to use this book on your own. With the tape, the task is much easier. And the book is very good for a class setting. it is easy to follow, and not a complicated as other texts (it is a PRIMER after all).

And I don't know the authors either ...

So for a classroom book Id give it something like 4 or 5 stars. But for an individual who uses the tapes, something like a 4 so for this reason Ill go with 4 stars.

I use this textbook to teach my beginner's Block Letter Hebrew class. This is the book that my teacher used when I was first introduced to Hebrew. It is designed for a teacher's guidance and interaction with the students; It is not designed for independent study. For example, when the letters and vowels are each introduced, their names are not given, making it necessary for the teacher's input. However, in the back pages of the book, after all lessons, they do include the names of these letters and vowels. Learning this language for people whose first language is English can be an incredible and sometimes daunting challenge. This book has differing and fun exercises that focus on the letters that were just introduced, helping to solidify the information just learned. Letters and vowels are introduced in order of frequency of use, enabling the new or returning learner an opportunity to read actual Hebrew words in the very first lesson. This fact is very encouraging when first reading totally differing shaped letters presented to read in the right to left manner. This book teaches the Sephardic Hebrew and not Ashkenazi because the nation of Israel, as a whole, speaks Sephardic.
Lastly, the book does introduce the Script Letters. However, the predominance of the exercises are designed for learning the Block.

I just finished the Primer and am very impressed with the layout of the book.
I am not a complete beginner to Hebrew, I know the alef-bet and the script, but this book nonetheless helped reinforce what I already knew and I also learned new words. I am an ESL teacher living in Israel and can understand that if you are a more auditory learner than maybe this isn't so helpful for you. You can try rosetta stone to supplement or replace this book. I tried rosetta stone and I really liked it, but it is just so expensive. Hebrew podcasts can also help with hearing and speaking, they are online and usually free. Teach Yourself to Read Hebrew (CD & Book Set) by Simon and Anderson is also great for beginners. I used that book to help learn the alef-bet. This book (Hebrew: A language course primer), however, is more than likely supposed to be used in a student teacher environment. The hebrew words are written with vowels, so pronunciation is easier when reading, and it has actual Hebrew words to practice reading, instead of nonsense words. It really is an amazing way to learn the Hebrew language.

This is the book used in my Beg. Hebrew class good to use as a self teaching guide as well. I will be ordering the others in Ser. in the future.
P.S. Very satisfied customer

This is a primer and it's OK as primers go. I think it takes a long time going about its goal: to teach the Alef Bet and vowels. I like Learn Hebrew Today and another primer just as well.

This book is great for those who want to learn the Hebrew language.
However, it is more focused to Jews, since it contains vocabulary of the different Jewish holidays and traditions.