Hebrew 3-week Immersion Program
Our 3-week Program at the School of Hebrew is designed for learners who want to fully immerse themselves in Hebrew through Middlebury’s intensive language environment for three weeks instead of seven.
Hebrew Lifeling Learners Program
It’s fast, I mean the best thing about the program for me (other than the fact that I love the people and it’s fun) is it’s fast, you learn fast. And again, I spoke no Hebrew and now, I can have conversations in Hebrew and that’s three weeks…
יום אחד, אני לא מדברת עברית, עכשיו אני מדברת. לא טוב, [אבל]… אני מדברת כל יום. כל יום, כל יום, כל יום, מדברת, מדברת, מדברת. מדברת ברדיו עם גיא, מדברת בקפיטריה, מדברת [עם] חברים שלי, מדברת [עם] המשפחה שלי בלוס אנג’לס. ואני אוהבת [את] בית הספר לעברית במידלברי. אני אוכל בעברית, אני כותבת בעברית, אני [עושה] יוגע בעברית. אני dance ישראלית בעברית.
In Los Angeles, I’m a television comedy writer, and I was afraid when I came that I wouldn’t have any words because I knew how to say “ken,” “lo,” “kelev” and “tuki” and I thought, “I’m not going to have a lot to say about dogs and parrots.”
So, I was nervous but my teacher was so great (I have two teachers) and the people are amazing. Everybody is so patient. I think it’s a great program for all people, but especially people my age. Because, again, I’m a writer for t.v. and I started to worry that my brain wasn’t what it was when I was 20. And I called my husband from here and said, “Oh, it’s still there!” I just needed to sort of take it to the gym and really exercise it. And the funny thing is - I speak French and Italian - and the part of my brain with language opened and for some reason, I had forgotten a lot. All of my Italian and French came back. Truly. I don’t know why. It’s just all connected to the language. And I would be frustrated, because I would want to say “Ma nishma” and I’d go, “Ciao bella, come stai?”. It’s amazing. It opens up your brain. And it’s a huge relief.
It’s busy. You never have to worry, what am I going to do next? I’m either in class or doing homework or having a great time, honestly. And I haven’t worked this hard or danced this much since I was in elementary school.
אני חוזרת שנה הבאה with בעל שלי.
Curriculum Options
3-week students have two curriculum choices:
- Intensive Academic Track: students in this curriculum track take classes with the 7-week immersion students, which are designed with college and graduate students in mind, though learners of all ages are welcome to join this track. This track is for those who would like to cover as much material as possible in the shortest amount of time.
- Lifelong Learner (LLL) Track: this track is designed for adult learners and the curriculum is focused on daily life vocabulary. Though still rigorous and intensive in nature, this track is tailored to older adult students and takes into account their interests, learning goals, and learning pace. The “LLL track” combines four hours of class per day with weekly activities and events designed for LLL students, as well as daily co-curricular activities with the rest of the School of Hebrew.
Students in both tracks will study in classes taught by Middlebury’s experienced School of Hebrew faculty, using curriculum and class materials that are designed to expedite language acquisition. All 3-week students will participate in Middlebury’s renowned Language Pledge® and will study all four language skills: reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
Dates
- Session I: June 28-July 19, 2024
- Session II: July 26-August 16, 2024
Students who are complete beginners should choose Session I. Please contact the School of Hebrew if you are unsure about your language level. LLL students who would like to study in both sessions, with a week off in between, are also welcome to do so. See more information on dates and fees.
A Typical Day
All students participate in the full immersive life of the School of Hebrew. Throughout the day, students and professors interact in the classrooms, dining halls, and during cocurricular activities. Daily classroom instruction takes place during the morning hours. In the afternoon and evening, students can attend lectures, performances, and films, all in Hebrew.
Class Placement
Class placement is determined by both an online placement test (taken before arrival on campus) and the student’s previous experience with the Hebrew language. It is recommended that all learners discuss their optimal class placement with the program director.
Application Information
Admission is for one summer and cannot be deferred to a future year. See application information. Admission to the Hebrew 3-week program is separate from admission to the School of Hebrew 7-week immersion and graduate programs. Please note that transcripts and a letter of recommendation are not required for this program and you may bypass these requirements on the application. Students do have the option to earn one unit of credit (three credit hours).
Student Ambassador: Joel Green
Hometown: Minneapolis, MN, USA
Program: Lifelong Learners Program
Current: Retired attorney
What surprised you about your experience at the Middlebury Language Schools?
When my wife Rani (who was with me in the Program) came to Middlebury, we thought it would be something special. And as much as we thought it would be special, it was even more wonderful! What we learned in class - what we did outside of class – all in Hebrew - yoga, community storytelling, choir, sports, field trips, and more. And even more wonderful were the people. The teachers, the staff, the families of the teachers and the staff, and the other students in all the School of Hebrew programs at all levels. Something really amazing happened in the School of Hebrew community. In the short time we were at Middlebury together we came together as one community - a caring community - a place where persons truly cared for each other - a place where everyone was willing to help the other. Of all the things that were wonderful and amazing during our Middlebury experience, perhaps this feeling of caring community was the most wonderful!
Why did you choose to study at the Middlebury Language Schools?
We had heard from a past student that the immersion experience yielded results that exceeded experiences of other programs and even exceeded programs in Israel. Having the prior summer studied for 3 weeks in a program that included ½ day Ulpan (Hebrew Language Learning) where outside of class students did not engage in Hebrew, we wanted to have the immersion experience. We had also heard of the excellence of the faculty in the School of Hebrew.
Please describe how your language skills improved due to your studies at Middlebury.
We came into the program at Level 4 – and tested at an intermediate level. At the end of the 3 weeks, I found my ease and fluency with speaking and engaging, as well as reading and writing, was significantly enhanced. This was also reflected in end of course testing.
Describe a typical day at Middlebury.
Woke up early, and reviewed materials (reading, homework, etc.) before going to breakfast with others in the School of Hebrew. In class from 8-noon and then lunch with others in the School of Hebrew. Again, class from 1:15 – 3:15, if my memory serves me. I then returned to dorm and changed to running clothes and ran for about 45 minutes outside. My wife, Rani, often did yoga or pilates in Hebrew with others in the School of Hebrew. After running, showering and changing, I did homework. Then, often I joined one of the activities in Hebrew, Story Telling (“Tell Me a Story”) or volleyball. Then dinner with the School of Hebrew. After dinner again, homework, and then sometimes another activity in Hebrew – our favorite was choir (although my wife and I don’t generally sing and had never before been in a choir). Sometimes then more homework or sleep. Sometimes coffee in town with new friends from our program – talking Hebrew together.