My greatest disappointment is not being able to continue for yet another session. When I came to Ulpan Or I had really only one goal – to speak Hebrew. I had been in other programs over the years, both in the U.S. and in Israel, most recently in a well respected and, in many ways, excellent ulpan. However, after having studied in this ulpan for almost four months – although my reading and writing skills were progressing slowly – I understood very little of what was said in the classroom and virtually never opened my mouth. When I tried to speak it was as if every word I knew to read or write flew from my mind. I was ready to give up. To sign up for Ulpan Or was an act of desperation. My expectations for myself were limited despite the ulpan’s encouraging materials. I can only report that my progress not only exceeded my very modest expectations, but my wildest hopes. It was not easy or “painless”. It required commitment and hours of outside work, but it was work that was a pleasure to do – both because the nature of the program makes the material accessible, the content of the material is interesting, and, most importantly, it was easy and clear to see my own progress. However, I believe there are three main “secrets” of the program’s success. The first was Aviv, the very fine, professional, and nurturing teacher provided to me with whom I met – one on one – for three hours every morning, five days a week for two weeks. The second, was the systematic and organized material which presented to me, for the first time, a clear and organized structure in which to fit all I was learning and all I had already “learned”, but which had simply proved overwhelming and, for the most part inaccessible. The third is the way in which much of the outside work is “self-correcting” which allows the immediate feedback so central to the learning process. I must also report that the entire staff of the ulpan contributed to the pleasure it was to study there. They were, without exception, always friendly, cheerful, helpful, and most importantly encouraging and supportive. Now at the end of my current session at Ulpan Or (I hope perhaps to return at some point in one or two of the less intensive programs) I must say the my progress has been phenomenal. The deficiencies of my ability current level of ability will certainly not remain. I now have critical tools that will allow me to continue to progress alone and in other venues. But the most important gift from Ulpan is perhaps, not my increased proficiency with the Hebrew language, but the fact that I now have the confidence that I can learn Hebrew and, in line with my initial goal – I am willing to actually speak Hebrew!
___________As I have already shared – I offer only one suggestion and that is that there be a way one can record their spoken responses such that the student can immediate compare their own speech with the proper presentation of the correct pronunciation._______________