Heritage Language Programs - Hebrew
Melvin Berman Hebrew Academy
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Address: 13300 Arctic Avenue Rockville, MD 20853
Telephone: (301) 962-9400
Web address: http://www.netahebrew.org
Contact person
Name: Rene Isser
Title: Department Chair of Hebrew, NETA Mentor
Email: isserr@mjb.org
Telephone: (301) 962-9400 Ext. 5533
Languages/dialects taught: Hebrew
Grades taught: PreK-12th
Program Description
Purposes and goals of the program: The language program strives to establish Hebrew as a second language for the students. Importance is placed on culture and skills are developed so that students can read, write, listen, and manage at all levels. One of the goals of the program is for the students to be able to succeed in Israel.
Type of program: Hebrew as a heritage language
Program origin: The program was founded in 2003.
Parents
Parents’ expectations for the program: Parents are involved in the program and provide useful input. Their expectations lie alongside the goals of the program: For their children to acquire a high level of Hebrew for cultural and future enrichment.
Staff
Instructors’ and administration’s expectations for the program: Staff members are mostly Israeli and at times differ in their goals, but overall the staff share the expectations and mission of the program.
Students
Students: 700 students
How the program identifies heritage speakers: Students are given
a placement test from NETA after the 5th grade.
Possible reasons for student withdrawal: The school has a 90% completion rate, but only about 30% complete the NETA program for Hebrew language.
Students’ expectations of the program: Most of the students are enthusiastic about acquiring the language and learning about the culture, but some students may see it as a chore.
Instructors
Number of instructors in the program: 6 instructors
Languages in which instructors are proficient: Hebrew
Proficiency level: Native, near-native
Credentials: NETA certified and proficient in Hebrew
Professional development opportunities instructors have: Every year the NETA program provides instructors with three days of training. Instructors may also participate in the Master teacher programs for 12 days.
Professional development opportunities instructors need: Instructors need a long-term professional development program.
Instruction
Total contact hours per week: 5 hours a week
Student grouping: Students are divided into 4 levels, and class-size ranges from 15 to 20 students.
Language skills
Skills developed by the program: Reading, writing, speaking and listening
Culture
Aspects of culture taught: Geography, art, music (classical and contemporary), literature, and dance
Kind of student identity program fosters: Focus is placed on building and strengthening confidence in the students' self-perceptions. Leadership and skills as a Hebrew speaker are also emphasized.
Methodologies
Methodologies and instructional strategies used in the program: Students are exposed to interactive role-playing games, whether in small groups or with the entire class.
Materials
Other materials used for instruction: Workbooks and textbooks
Technology used for instruction: CDs, SmartBoards, and very little computer use
Assessment
Assessments used to evaluate students’ progress: Students take the NETA tests found at the end of each booklet. Tests are divided into writing and listening skills. Every quarter there is an evaluation from the school to assess content, organization, and richness and correctness of language.
Articulation
How the program develops home/school connections or promotes parent involvement: Parent involvement is mostly positive, but the overall level of involvement depends on each instructor. Parents are very supportive of the program and the instructors.
Opportunities for using the heritage language and developing cultural knowledge outside the program: Students can attend Hebrew films, keep up with articles from Hebrew newspapers, and read novels. About 80% of the students travel overseas to Israel.
What the program has in place
Financial support the program receives: The program receives virtually no external support, only through tuition.
Other support the program receives: There is almost no additional financial support besides tuition.
Solicitation of funding: Funding is not sought for the language program.
Assistance or funding the program would like to receive: The program needs more information on how to locate external funding sources. There is also a need for more resources and regularly updated Hebrew newspapers, magazines, and films.
How students graduate and/or how they receive credit: Students receive credit for all language courses after 4 mandatory years of study.
Program research or evaluation: Every year there is an evaluation of the program.
Special challenges
Challenges the program has experienced: Our challenges include finding and retaining language teachers and being knowledgeable about different types of funding sources. It can be difficult to turn some teachers into language teachers.
