WESTERN SEMINARY

Portland, Oregon

OTS 561Q Biblical Hebrew Language Immersion:

Talk to me Moses

June 28-July 9, 2004.

 

Summer Semester 2004

Jan Verbruggen, Instructor

(503 517-1871; e-mail: jverbruggen@westernseminary.edu;) 

2 credits 

Syllabus

Course Description

Study Biblical Hebrew the natural way.  Students will learn to speak and converse in Biblical Hebrew.  No previous knowledge of Hebrew is required.  By starting out with single words and small phrases and actively using it in small conversations in class, the student will learn Biblical Hebrew in a gentle way, in an active way.  Most of the learning will be done in class.  No memorization of paradigms required.  Even the alphabet will be learned in a playful manner.  The only requirement for the class is, to be willing to make mistakes and laugh at them.  Any student is welcome, even those who had Hebrew before and want to move their language level to new heights.

Text books

Required

Box of Hebrew Vocabulary Cards by Vis-Ed

Course Objectives

Global Objective: Is an introduction to the Biblical Hebrew Language in a playful manner

·         The aim is exposure to the language in a direct interactive way. 

Learning Objectives

·         The student will acquire a basic speaking fluency in Hebrew 

·         The student will learn basic Hebrew vocabulary

 Attitudinal Objective:

·         Convince yourself from the beginning: I can do this

·         Lower the fear factor for this language

·         Accept the fact that: I will make mistakes

·         Have fun learning this language

Course Requirements

Since 80% of the class work is done in class, it is crucial for the students to attend all classes.  Full participation in class is a must for a successful outcome of this class.  No prior knowledge of Hebrew is required.

Course Procedures

Each class will be filled with conversation and interaction.  This is not a sit down in your seats class.  We will walk around and have constant conversations and discussions.  At first, we will not even touch the Hebrew alphabet, but we will work with Hebrew words and phrases.  The alphabet will be learned in a gradual way.  It is to the advantage of the student to go over every days conversation at home.  After the student is familiar with the Hebrew alphabet, we will start little texts reading.  During the second half of the class, the students will start with putting together a little play in Hebrew.  The play will performed during the last hour of the class. 

Grading Scale

Class participation

50 %

Hebrew Play

20%

Hebrew Reading

30 %

 

A+

A

A-  

B+

B

B-

C+

C

C-

D+

D

D-

99-100  

95-98%  

94-93%

92-91%

90-88%

87-86%

85-84%

83-81% 

80-79%

78-77% 

76-74% 

73-70%

To receive audit credit, you must attend at least 80% of the class sessions and report that fact to the instructor by the day of the final.