How to Learn Hebrew: 6 Easy Ways to Learn Hebrew Effectively
Kelsey Wetherbee
Published on February 20, 2023
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Are you trying to find the best resources to learn Hebrew on your own but can’t find high-quality tools?
In this guide, I’ll show you the many ways you can learn Hebrew and the best resources to develop your skills from the start. This article includes the best Hebrew language apps, online courses, textbooks, YouTube channels, and podcasts. There are also options for those who like learning with Hebrew language tutors.
The Langoly team has over 5 decades of combined language learning experience and follows a strict methodology when testing and reviewing all products included on this website. We’ve personally tested and reviewed over 600 products, and have assisted many readers in learning new languages. Once you’ve read through this guide, you’ll be on track to mastering your Hebrew language goals!
Due to its history, there are two types of Hebrew: Modern Hebrew and Ancient Hebrew. Ancient Hebrew, also known as Biblical Hebrew or Classical Hebrew, is the language of the Bible and is spoken in large Jewish and Samaritan communities around the world. Modern Hebrew is the official language of Israel and was adapted to fit the needs of the present day. Speaking Hebrew can help you explore the history and culture of Israel, but it can also be beneficial if you’re trying to find a job in the fields of technology and medical research.
Table of Contents
How to Learn Hebrew: How Can You Become Fluent?- 1. Use the Best Hebrew Apps
- 2. Take an Online Hebrew Course
- 3. Find an Online Hebrew Tutor
- 4. Study with High-Quality Hebrew Books
- 5. Watch Hebrew YouTube Videos
- 6. Listen to Hebrew Podcasts
How to Learn Hebrew: How Can You Become Fluent?
If you’re looking to become fluent in Hebrew, you need to start by creating a comprehensive study routine. To do this, you must make sure to practice all language skills like vocabulary, grammar, speaking, listening, writing, and reading. But, since there’s not one resource that can teach you everything you need to become fluent, it’s always best to mix and combine different ones to fill in the gaps in your study.
To pick the best resources to learn Hebrew, we used the same methodology we applied to test and review all products on the Langoly website. First, we determined which tools were the most helpful to Hebrew learners. Then, we reviewed each method, app, course, book, YouTube channel, and podcast to ensure they offered high-quality content. All the resources you’ll find in this guide are effective tools that can improve your Hebrew language skills and make your studies more enjoyable.
1. Use the Best Hebrew Apps
A language app is one of the most convenient ways to learn Hebrew because you can practice anywhere you can bring your phone or tablet. The lessons are usually broken down into bite-sized pieces so you can complete several in a row to quickly increase your vocabulary. Pimsleur, Mondly, and Drops are 3 options that can improve your vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation to ensure you can start speaking in Hebrew from the first lesson.
Commitment: Low
Price: Low-Medium
Convenience: High
Pimsleur
Pimsleur is the most effective language app for learning Hebrew because it focuses on improving your conversational skills to get you to speak the language quickly. In each lesson, you hear a conversation between two native Hebrew speakers, and then they break down the conversation to explain important grammar and vocabulary. What I like the most about Pimsleur is that, by the end of its lessons, you can understand the dialogue without problems! You can try Pimsleur with a 7-day free trial or read more about the app in this Pimsleur review.
Mondly
Mondly is a great app for beginner Hebrew learners because it covers the basics without getting into detailed grammar topics. The lessons are short and interactive and help you learn the most important topics to become conversational quickly. I liked that Mondly uses interesting technology like AI and a chatbot to keep you engaged. You can try Mondly with a 7-day free trial or read more about the app in this Mondly review.
Drops
Drops is the best app to learn Hebrew vocabulary because it has hundreds of word lists for topics most apps overlook. You can start with basic topics or study words related to emergencies, politics, and natural disasters. Even if you’re a complete beginner, I find that Drops spaced repetition and short study sessions create the right mix to help you acquire and remember new vocabulary. You can use Drops for free for 5 minutes a day or read more about it in this Drops review.
2. Take an Online Hebrew Course
An online Hebrew course is a comprehensive option to learn all aspects of the language. You can choose to take self-paced lessons, live classes, or follow a set lesson plan, which makes this a great choice for those looking for flexibility. Udemy, Rosen School of Hebrew, and the FSI Hebrew Course are comprehensive options that can provide the structure and guidance you need to start learning Hebrew from the beginner level.
Commitment: High
Price: Medium-High
Convenience: Medium
Udemy
Udemy is a massive online learning platform and an excellent place to find an online Hebrew course. You can find courses for beginners that teach the basics of grammar and vocabulary, or study topics like Biblical Hebrew or the Hebrew alphabet. If you’re looking for variety, I think this can be the right platform to cover all the aspects of Hebrew that interest you. Check out the Udemy website to find the course that’s right for you or read more about the platform in this Udemy review.
Rosen School of Hebrew
The Rosen School of Hebrew is fully accredited by The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. You take live classes with a qualified teacher and practice all of the skills necessary to become conversational in Hebrew. I included the Rosen School of Hebrew on this list because it offers courses in Modern Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew, Hebrew for kids, and even has classes you can take to study Israeli culture and history. You can see if there’s a course that’s right for you on the Rosen School website.
FSI Hebrew Course
The Foreign Service Institute Hebrew course is a no-nonsense way to learn the language. It consists of a downloadable pdf textbook and a series of audio. It’s the course that’s used by employees of the US government that need to learn Hebrew. While it may not be the most interesting course available, I recommend it because it can provide you with the foundation knowledge you need to communicate in Hebrew. Check out the course on this website.
3. Find an Online Hebrew Tutor
While it is possible to reach a decent level of Hebrew on your own, taking online classes with a Hebrew tutor will help you reach a more advanced level in a shorter amount of time. The 1-on-1 classes provide an excellent opportunity to practice your speaking and listening skills while receiving immediate feedback from a qualified tutor. To me, italki, Preply, and Superprof are well-known and secure platforms you can use to find the tutor you need for your learning style.
Commitment: Medium
Price: Medium-High
Convenience: Medium
italki
italki is a popular language-learning platform you can use to find an online Hebrew tutor for 1-1 lessons. I recommend italki to those looking to reinforce specific areas of language. You can hire an italki tutor to practice conversation, review grammar, or prepare for a test. There are over 70 tutors available to choose from based on their profile, availability, and price. You can choose how many classes you take and when you take them. Most teachers offer a discounted trial lesson. Learn more about the platform in this italki review.
Preply
Preply is a platform that’s similar to italki. There are +90 Hebrew tutors available to help you work on the skills that interest you the most. You can search for a tutor based on their availability, the languages they speak, and price. Each tutor has a bio and a short video, and you can buy their classes in bundles. Most teachers also offer a discounted trial class to see if they’re a good fit. Read more about the platform in this Preply review.
Superprof
Superprof is a platform that has tutors for every subject imaginable, including languages like Hebrew. There are currently over 130 tutors available, and you can visit their profiles to see what each tutor teaches, their previous experience, and read past student reviews. What’s great about Superprof is that it allows you to look for online tutors as well as tutors located near you. This way, you can pick the type of lessons that best fit your learning style. Most tutors offer a free trial class so you can see if they are a good fit for you.
4. Study with High-Quality Hebrew Books
Books are one of the oldest and most effective ways to study a language. They can provide detailed explanations and examples that aren’t possible on other learning platforms. And, since Hebrew is a language that uses a different alphabet, using a book is an excellent way to learn to read and write the language while studying vocabulary and grammar. Learn to Read Hebrew in 6 Weeks, Hebrew for Beginners, and The First Hebrew Primer are 3 popular and highly-rated books available on Amazon that I recommend to those looking to learn accurate Hebrew. You can find even more options in this Hebrew book guide.
Commitment: Low
Price: Medium
Convenience: Medium
Learn to Read Hebrew in 6 Weeks
Learn to Read Hebrew in 6 Weeks is an excellent book for any learner whose goal is to read and write in Biblical Hebrew quickly. The book is divided into 12 lessons, and you take 2 per week for 6 weeks to develop your vocabulary and grammar skills. Each lesson has detailed descriptions of certain letters or words with unique designs, and I find it makes learning Hebrew fun and interesting. You can learn more about the book here.
Hebrew for Beginners
Hebrew for Beginners follows David and Malka while they get to know the language and people of Israel. Each of the 10 chapters focuses on a useful topic for getting around in everyday life, such as visiting friends, traveling, and checking in at a hotel. In every chapter, you are given the original written Hebrew form, English transliteration, and English translation, which can help you learn important grammar and vocabulary topics stress-free. Learn more about the book here.
The First Hebrew Primer
If you’re looking for an in-depth way to learn Hebrew, The First Hebrew Primer is the best choice. The book contains 30 lessons that cover the alphabet, sentence structure, essential grammar and vocabulary, spelling charts, practice exercises, stories, and more. The content of this book is thorough and accurate and provides extensive practice, so it’s a good fit for serious learners who want to focus on Biblical Hebrew. Find out more about the book here.
5. Watch Hebrew YouTube Videos
Watching YouTube videos is an effective way to learn Hebrew, and it’s also one of the most fun! Some channels make videos that are similar to learning in a classroom, and others produce content that’s entirely in Hebrew and help you hear how the language is authentically spoken. The YouTube channels below are some of the best options to learn and test your Hebrew skills.
Commitment: Low
Price: Low
Convenience: High
Piece of Hebrew
The videos on the Piece of Hebrew channel are hosted by Doron and Elsa, two Hebrew native speakers. The videos are entirely in Hebrew so they are more useful for intermediate or advanced speakers, but they do have subtitles in English so anyone can follow along. While most of their videos focus on language topics, they don’t have beginner lessons that will help you if you’re starting from zero. If you want to listen to Hebrew in a natural context and learn about Israeli culture, I’d start with this channel. You can check out all the videos here.
Hebrew With Ben
Ben is a native Hebrew speaker who uploads lessons that teach vocabulary, grammar, and how-to-say lessons. While his channel doesn’t have an ordered playlist that will take you from beginner to fluent, there are useful videos you can watch to learn expressions and words about common topics. His channel offers quite a few lessons on how to read Hebrew, which I think makes it a comprehensive resource for beginner learners. Watch all of his videos on the Hebrew With Ben YouTube channel.
Hebrew Today
The Hebrew Today YouTube channel has a hodgepodge of videos to help you develop your skills. There are lessons that are in English and Hebrew, but there are also popular videos with Hebrew subtitles so, from my experience, it can be a great way to start testing your knowledge. Whether you’re looking for entertainment or educational content, they have vocabulary lists, psalms, dialogues, news notes, and much more. You can check out all of the videos available on the Hebrew Today YouTube channel.
6. Listen to Hebrew Podcasts
Podcasts are a more modern way to learn Hebrew. Because they are audio-based, you can listen on the go or while completing other tasks. They also allow you to hear how Hebrew is spoken in an everyday context, and many provide supplemental materials such as transcripts and practice questions to ensure that you understand what you heard. HebrewPod101, Streetwise Hebrew, and Hebrew Podcasts are excellent choices with hundreds of lessons to help you learn Hebrew.
Commitment: Low
Price: Low
Convenience: High
HebrewPod101
HebrewPod101 has an extensive library of podcast-style lessons that focus on conversations between native speakers. Each lesson breaks down a conversation to teach important vocabulary and grammar topics with detailed explanations. One of my favorite features is that they talk about culture and how it affects the language. In addition to the podcast lessons, there are vocabulary lists, video lessons, and a grammar bank. HebrewPod101 constantly adds new lessons so there’s always something new to learn. You can try it for free with a 7-day trial on the HebrewPod101 website. Or, you can read more in this HebrewPod101 review.
Streetwise Hebrew
The Streetwise Hebrew podcasts are part of the larger TLV1 network of podcasts and shows. Streetwise Hebrew has short lessons, usually under 10 minutes, that are hosted by Guy Sharett. In his content, he talks about many modern topics related to Israeli culture and the Hebrew language. The episodes are in a mix of Hebrew and English but, to be fair, that’s what makes them accessible to advanced beginner learners who want to develop their skills. You can listen to all of the episodes on the Streetwise Hebrew website.
Hebrew Podcasts
Hebrew Podcasts is a website that teaches Biblical Hebrew. The are 4 levels of lessons: easy, beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Despite having material for everyone, Hebrew podcasts has more lessons available for intermediate and advanced learners, so I recommend it to learners who want to polish their skills. You can listen to the first few lessons of the podcast for free, but to access all of the lessons and additional practice material, you need to subscribe to the Hebrew Podcasts page.
How to Learn Hebrew: Final Thoughts
I hope this article has given you different ideas and inspirations for how to learn Hebrew. While it’s not one of the most spoken languages in the world, there’s no denying that it has a large impact in many countries. Whether you want to learn modern or classical Hebrew, finding the right resource will help you reach your language goals faster.
How to Learn Hebrew: FAQ
According to the US Department of State, it takes 1,100 class hours to reach a proficient level of Hebrew. This number is only an estimate and depends on a variety of factors such as your natural ability to acquire languages and if you speak a language that shares similarities with Hebrew.
To see how long it will take you to learn Hebrew, check out this Fluency Calculator.
One of the most effective ways to learn Hebrew quickly is by using a language app. Now, there are many high-quality options available that will teach you important grammar and vocabulary without ever hanging to leave your home. Pimsleur, Mondly, and Drops are excellent choices to consider.
There are many ways to learn Hebrew from home, but two of the most effective ways are to learn with a language app or take online classes with a native tutor. Both ways will help increase your level of communication.
The US Department of State considers Hebrew to be a hard language for English speakers to learn. This is because the two languages have significant differences. For example. Hebrew has a unique alphabet and is written from right to left. There are also very few vocabulary words that the two languages share.
if you want to speak Hebrew fluently, you’ll need to practice speaking the language. You can practice speaking with a qualified language teacher on a platform like italki. Or, you can find a language exchange partner on an app like HelloTalk. You can also listen to podcasts, read news articles, or follow social media channels in Hebrew.
There are many ways to learn Hebrew for free. One of the most popular choices for Hebrew is an app like Duolingo that offers its Hebrew course for free. You can also use other resources like watching YouTube videos or listening to podcasts in Hebrew.
