Kesher’s philosophy to teaching Ivrit (Hebrew) is based on the proficiency approach. Through the proficiency approach, language becomes relevant to the learners. At Kesher, this learner centered approach emphasizes the ability to function in Hebrew, to actually be able to use the language playing soccer and board games, having snacks, in social interactions with staff and other kids. The kids are divided into groups that are based on proficiency and developmental appropriateness.
Unit themes are designed to be relevant to the kids’ lives – the Kesher environment, family, home, things we do in the home, Holidays and Israel. The students revisit these themes each year with a variation on the theme at a higher proficiency level in all the skill areas: reading, writing, speaking, listening and grammar. All proficiency levels work on the same themes at the same time, creating an environment of cohesiveness. We celebrate the year of Hebrew learning with the Kesher Erev Ivrit. Kesher is transformed into an Israeli environment with a shuk (marketplace), misadah (restaurant), and more takes place. All the buying and selling of crafts, falafel, and Israeli snacks occurs in Hebrew. All kids of every Hebrew level are involved with Erev Ivrit by preparing something for the event, and by learning the Hebrew words for the crafts and how to conduct a transaction in Hebrew. Please join us for this culminating Hebrew event. Just be prepared to stand in line to exchange your dollars for shkalim ( Israeli currency)!
A Brief Look at Ivrit Proficiency Levels
Kitah Aleph
In this level, units are structured using target words that are appropriate to holidays, seasons, or other key concepts. Each week highlights a new letter, and the learners interact with the aleph-bet in a variety of ways. At this level, learners recognize words through whole word recognition (without vowels). The learners speak in Hebrew phrases during class, ask questions of the teacher and their peers, and hear Hebrew used in the classroom environment. They become familiar with writing their Hebrew names and familiar with the shapes of the letters. Student also get an initial exposure to vowels.
A Kitah Aleph student will understand phrases and words like like:
Eich ata margish hayom- How do you feel today?
Yesh li- I have
Samech/Atzuv/Ayef/Choleh/Nirgash- Happy/Sad/Tired/Sick/Excited
Kitah Aleph students will learn approximately fifty target vocabulary words, including numbers, body parts, colors, and emotions.
Kitah Bet
Learners begin this year familiar with the aleph-bet. In this level of Hebrew, they make the jump from playing with letters and words to working with vowels and decoding words and basic sentences. They begin to write short sentences (simple noun/verb combinations with target vocabulary), and develop their skills of writing, speaking, listening and understanding. Students begin to learn basic prepositions and build a beginning understanding of certain verb forms in masculine and feminine form.
A Kitah Bet student should be able to speak, read, and understand sentences like:
Aba yoshev bakiseh- Dad is sitting in a chair
Ani ochel pitza- I am eating pizza
Hashulchan bamitbach- The table is in the kitchen
Kitah Gimel
Learners come to this level of Hebrew able to decode words and phrases in Hebrew. The most important new challenge of this level is the introduction of script letters. Learners also become more comfortable using different verbs in longer and more complex sentences. All work is in the present tense with singular pronouns and verbs.
Kitah Gimel students are able to utilize questions and expressions like:
Eich kor’im lcha- What is your name?
Yesh li eynayim kchulot- I have blue eyes
Hoo holech l’sherutim- He is going to the bathroom
Hee loveshet chultzah adumah- She is wearing a red skirt
Kitah Dalet
Learners arrive at this level of Hebrew comfortable writing in script. They have a good command of verbs in present tense with singular pronouns, adjectives, and prepositional phrases. In this level they learn to use plural forms of pronouns, verbs, and objects. They continue to work in the present tense and develop their decoding skills of more complex written and oral material. Students practice conjugating in the present tense with all pronouns (singular and plural). Learners also become more comfortable writing sentences and paragraphs, and using a Hebrew/English dictionary.
Kitah Daled students are able to function in a mixed script/print environment but will write exclusively in script. Kitah Daled students also gain a greater familiarity with the use of infinitives and with the telling of time. Examples of Kitah Daled phrases and more complex language:
Mah David oseh b’shaah arba?- What does David do at 4:00?
Kama tapuchuim yesh l’aba?- How many apples does Dad have?
Yardena tzricha la’amod- Yardena needs to stand up.
Ani rotza lalechet limitbach v’le’echol banana gdolah- I want to go to the kitchen and eat a big banana.
Kitah Hey
Learners in this level of Hebrew are comfortable both reading and writing in script. They work with in the present tense, both singular and plural, and can use adjectives, pronouns and prepositions to create and understand paragraphs and dialogues. This level begins study of the past tense in both singular and plural. Learners begin to use Hebrew in more expressive and creative ways through drama and story. Students focus on question words, interviewing projects, the days of the week and sequencing events, and writing longer passages in Hebrew.
Examples of Kitah Hey Hebrew:
Im mi halachta lir’ot seret-Who did you go to a movie with?
B’yom sheni lamadti ivrit ba’kitah hey- On Monday I learned Hebrew in Kitah Hey
Ani nasati l’angliah levaker et saba vi’savta- I traveled to England to visit Grandma and Grandpa.
Kitah Vav
This level builds and reinforces the material learned in Kitah Hey. Great emphasis is spent on practicing the past tense and building vocabulary. By the end of the year, the learners in this level are comfortable switching between past and present tenses, and have continued to develop the ability to use Hebrew flexibly. Kitah Vav also includes new units like Ir (city) and Chaverim (friends), where students learn new vocabulary. Kitah Vav also features the introduction of more slang and colloquial Hebrew, and greater use of video and digital voice technology.
Students will learn new phrases and vocabulary like:
L’an atah holech- Where are you going?
Achar kach/Lifnei Zeh/V’az- After that/before this/And then
Halachti l’chof yam bakayitz im hachaverim sheli- I went to the beach in the summer with my friends
Ani misacheket kadoregel im kvutzah tovah- I play soccer with a good team
Kitah Zayin
After a thorough review of the past and present tenses, Kitah Zayin students are introduced to the future tense in singular and plural. Learners are able use language creatively in speech and writing. Kitah Zayin continues with the new units that were introduced in Kitah Vav, and also takes time to review the skills and vocabulary learned in previous years.
Kitah Zayin students use language like:
Kshe’hayiti katan, hayiti talmid ba’Kesher- When I was small, I was a student at Kesher
Ani a’avod bamachaneh ramah ba’kayitz habah- I will work at Camp Ramah this summer
Ratziti le’echol glidah, aval lo haya li kesef- I wanted to eat ice cream but I didn’t have money