HEBREW VERBS with Rut Avni
Shalom!
I am Rut Avni, and this is my story:
I did not grow up in Israel. My first Hebrew teacher was a translator from my congregation. Even in the early years of the Internet, there were no online courses, and also books on Hebrew grammar were scarce (and still are).
When I registered for Aliyah, I decided to do everything I could to speak like a sabra, so that I could easily find a job and start a new life in the homeland. I had planned to make Aliya at some point in the coming 18 months, meaning there was still time. I bought a flight ticket and booked an Ulpan for one month, thinking that this will save me time (= money) later, when I arrive for good.
Do you know how much I paid? (And how little I learned?)
In the year 2007, I paid 3,700 USD, expecting all they had advertised:
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1 month ulpan
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accommodation on site, and half board,
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4 hours of Hebrew every day
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access to the library and study room
Sounded terrific. This is what I got:
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A class with 28 students
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2-3 hours of Hebrew per day (45 min each)
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1-2 hours of "other activities"
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A room from 1948 with hot water at certain hours
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A sloppy toast with Nescafé in the morning (yes, a decent dinner)
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A “library” aka storage room with piled-up old books on the floor
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Tons of frustration, lasting for years
My Hebrew grammar had improved as much as I would have expected it had I taken only 4 hours of private classes during the whole month in my hometown. Basically, close to zero.
I was already competent in five European languages at the time. I was proficient in language study. Hebrew was not going to be the exception for me. I had a mission from that point on. There was not a single grammar book or verb table collection that I hadn't explored.
Years later, I published several books on Hebrew verbs and finally created an online course to make sure students get ALL the information on the subject that nobody teaches: Hebrew verbs; they do not even teach it in Israel!
Teaching Hebrew verbs became my mission. I am living for it. My biggest joy is watching my students’ breakthroughs. I am sincerely looking forward to your inevitable success!
With much ahavá ❤❤,
Rut