Customer Reviews

Modern Hebrew for Beginners: A Multimedia Program for Students at the

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is one of my favorite Hebrew language texts because it combines well-designed videos, flashcard vocabulary, and sound clips with a very effective text book. As an integrated package, they teach listening reading unvocalized text, writing script, and grammar.

The videos are broken into three series that progressively work up to full conversational speed. It is a bit jarring at first to watch the videos with sound slowed down (characters have stopped moving their mouths, but the noise is still coming out), but at least, the entry level lessons provide examples of authentic Israeli speech. This is not an issue in the later videos.

I wish the videos were on a CD-ROM, but the author decided to put them on the Web where they could be updated more easily. That's reasonable. I think you have more control over the environment if they are on CD-ROM in an integrated package, however. (I could not get the flashcards to work on any browser).

This text quickly introduces unvocalized reading -- in chapter bet, as a matter of fact!

A great book and a great value.

This book is well laid out. I find it to be very useful, and at the right level, as I have never before studied Hebrew and do not have anyone at hand to speak it with. I would rate it a 5 except for the computer side of things...

I had problems initially while working with the flashcards, but worked around that. It would be nice if the videos, flashcards, etc. were available for download - they don't seem to be. This forces users to stay on the Internet for hours at a time if they are trying to work through the steps for a while. It would also be nice if the alef-bet consonants were in a series, so you didn't have to keep clicking on them to hear the pronunciation... Maybe with a "faster/slower" scroll for speed.

Esther Raizen's MODERN HEBREW FOR BEGINNERS touches the very basics of modern-spoken Israeli Hebrew. This compact (but highly informative) book/workbook has 11 units that deal with not only seeing the alephbet and Hebrew words, but also deal with conversation and listening skills. This tutorial contains topics in Hebrew such as pop culture (ex: Tom and Jerry, Mickey and Minny Mouse) that Americans are familiar with (which makes it easier to understand the Hebrew alphabet and makes the course more exciting), weather, and shopping. Learners of Hebrew are exposed to reading passages without Hebrew vowels from the first unit, which is great if you are traveling to Israel, where the vowels are not used in public places. But don't worry, the reading passages contain online audio supplements so you will learn how to read them effectively. My only complaint about the course is the practice exercises do not have answer keys. Other than that, this is a must have if you are serious about immersing yourself into the beautiful Hebrew language. To get a feel of how great this Hebrew study course really is, visit Esther Raizen's site at the following URL: http://www.laits.utexas.edu/hebrew. Click on the tutorial links, flashcard links, etc. to preview how the course will be. This is the interactive site you will use as a supplement to the book.

Three things about this book make it stand out. First, you are learning un-pointed Hebrew from chapter 2. I thought un-pointed Hebrew would be difficult, but with a little repetition, I was amazed with how easy it actually is. Second, the website is great. It takes a few minutes to figure out how to navigate the site, but after that it is an amazing resource. It is particularly nice to be able to hear every word used in the text and insure that your pronunciation matches. Last, I found each of the exercises in the book to be very well written and helpful in thoroughly understanding the Hebrew vocabulary and grammar. Would definitely recommend to anyone wanting to learn Hebrew.

Seems pretty good, especially in a group/class setting. I'm a student of language, though, and it doesn't explain much of the grammar in this book, preferring to use phrases, and I assume that the grammar comes from somewhere else (a teacher?). I would have preferred a verb conjugation chart, and more grammar. Perhaps a separate book just for vocab vs. grammar.

This program works very well, gets you into modern Hebrew without the vowel markings and the grammar is explained well. The web site is very good once you figure it out (I have broadband). It reinforces the lessons and is a real bonus. I have worked with other textbooks but this is by far the best. If you are studying on your own, want to learn grammar and have web access to practice pronunciation and hearing, this is the one.
It would be nice to have the web material on a cd if you are on the go and don't have access to the internet. Overall, this is winner.

As an individual learner, I find this to be one of the best language-learning books that I've come across. Vocabulary in the textbook is supported by online flashcards and tutorials which contain both audio and video components. One of the most attractive features of the program is that it's relatively low-cost, because the listening exercises crucial to learning a language are all available on a free website. Grammar points are explained clearly and concisely; if it's in your budget, I'd recommend working through this book after a vocab-acquisition program like Pimsleur, but if not, the book seems to work well on its own. There are also many reading tutorials online which allow you to get comfortable with reading the language before starting with vocabulary and grammar.

Modern Hebrew for Beginners delivers what it promises.

I love this book.

It not only teaches you at a "digestible" pace but its online component allows you to also see and hear the Hebrew functions and vocabulary that are presented in the book. In other words, you learn Hebrew not only through reading the book but also through watching the videos and listening to the audio files online.

The online videos and sound bites blend very effectively with the textbook's pleasant visual presentation. These factors combined with the book's sound language-acquisition methodology make for a truly enjoyable and effective learning experience.

It's preparing me very well for my ulpan this summer in Israel.

This book is excellent for students in school learning Hebrew. Not only is it a bargain (VERY inexpensive for a textbook!), but it is also one of the best Hebrew instruction books I've seen.

The book gives a remarkable amount of vocabulary and grammar for the compact size. The material is presented in a relatively fun manner. It is also nice that the book opens from right-to-left and quickly moves into unpointed (no vowels) text which is used in most Israeli writings.

The multimedia material is only available online, which causes some problems. I would prefer to see the material on CD/DVD as an option for an additional charge (with updated materials still available online for those who prefer). I had some trouble with the videos on certain computers despite updating all of the software. It is also inconvienent to get online only to listen to the new vocabulary or a reading when a CD would have been so much faster.

The mutlimedia aspects (such as e-flashcards, videos, audio tracks, pictures with labels and captions) are pretty good once you get them open. They certainly are helpful in learning proper pronouncation and improving your comprehension if you are learning on your own (or even with a teacher).

The lack of an answer key is probably the biggest drawback of this book if you are not a student taking a class. If you are on your own, you will not be able to check your answers to the problems and know how well you have mastered the material. Some parts of this book may also be less interesting due to an academic focus, but a majority of the book has everyday items useful to anyone.

Overall, this is a great book and an excellent value for all that you get!

This book is an excellent program for learning modern Hebrew. It combines vocabulary, grammar and conversation in a very digestable format. My only complaint is that it was designed to be used along with a website which does not appear to exist. This book can be used by itself but is most useful when accompanied by a teacher or tutor. Suitable for anyone over 13. The format is easy to use but not designed for younger students.