Frequently Asked Questions
The application, as well as information concerning required supplemental materials, is available online at go.middlebury. edu/ls/application. The application fee is $65.
Who are the instructors in the School of Hebrew?
All faculty members are native speakers of Hebrew and are affiliated with the Brandeis Hebrew Language Program. They are master teachers who understand and embrace Middlebury’s method of immersion. Most of the faculty live in the residence halls with the students and are available in the evening to answer questions and help with assignments.
Students have regular class assignments and examinations that are used in evaluating their performance. One summer at the School of Hebrew covers approximately one year of college-level course material.
My background is only in Classical Hebrew. How quickly will I learn Modern Hebrew?
Knowledge of Classical Hebrew will be a definite advantage in understanding the structure of Modern Hebrew. Familiarity with the Hebrew alphabet, core vocabulary, and grammar will make the transition to Modern Hebrew easier.
Can I study Classical Hebrew?
If you have already attained the midintermediate level of Modern Hebrew according to the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, you have the option to enroll in the Classical Hebrew Workshop.
For more information, please contact: The Brandeis UniversityMiddlebury School of Hebrew Middlebury College Middlebury, VT 05753
החיים לא באים עם כתוביות (Life doesn’t come with subtitles)
802.443.5510 go.middlebury.edu/ls schoolofhebrew@middlebury.edu
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Brandeis University–Middlebury School of Hebrew
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How can I apply? How much does it cost to apply?
How will I know how much I have really learned at the end of seven weeks?
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What is the application deadline?
There is no deadline per se; applications are reviewed on a rolling basis to provide candidates with a timely decision. Applying well in advance of the summer session is strongly advised, both for admission to the Language Schools and for financial aid.
Life doesn’t come with subtitles.
The Brandeis University-Middlebury School of Hebrew
To be able to truly communicate in the world, there is no substitute for sharing a common language. And short of having Hebrew as your mother tongue, there’s simply no path to linguistic and cultural fluency that matches the total immersion experience at the Brandeis University-Middlebury School of Hebrew.
The Brandeis University-Middlebury School of Hebrew is an intensive seven-week Hebrew immersion program conducted every summer on Middlebury College’s Vermont campus. Founded in 2008, it combines the power of Middlebury’s nearly 100 years of experience in language immersion with the faculty and curriculum of the recognized leader in Hebrew language instruction, Brandeis University.
this summer has been incredible. It doesn’t feel like a language I’ve known for only a short time.” —Amelie Werther, Level 2
No English Spoken Here. Swearing off
make to read, write, listen, and speak in only the language of study for the duration of your program, and it is the defining element of the Middlebury immersion experience. Both a symbol of commitment and an essential part of the learning process, it ensures that every moment of the day is an opportunity for you to improve your Hebrew language skills— both in class and in everyday, real-world situations—and to fully immerse yourself in the culture.
English for the summer can be intimidating, but the gains to be reaped are great. By creating a Hebrew-only environment, the Pledge sets the stage for remarkably fast language acquisition, helping you gain the equivalent of one year of college-level Hebrew in a matter of weeks. Equally important is the gain in confidence and the feeling of accomplishment that will accompany your rapid progress.
—Vardit Ringvald, PhD, director of the Brandeis University-Middlebury School of Hebrew and principal author of Brandeis Modern Hebrew, the School’s core textbook.
Program Highlights n Five levels of
Hebrew, from beginning to advanced. n An emphasis on Modern Hebrew, with an option to study Classical Hebrew. n A faculty drawn from the foremost Hebrew instructors in Israel and the U.S. n Four to five hours of daily classroom instruction, with a 6:1 student-teacher ratio. n Extended daily contact with faculty, including individual review sessions, evening office hours, shared residence halls, and shared meals in kosher-optional dining halls. n Regular lectures by visiting authors, scholars, film directors, and diplomats.
A Sampling of Cocurricular Activities Conducted in Hebrew Theater Film club Radio club Storytelling club Volleyball Soccer Israeli Dance Yoga / Pilates
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“My progress in the School of Hebrew
The Language Pledge is the promise you
“The Brandeis methodology perfectly complements the immersion philosophy of the Middlebury Language Schools . . . providing students with the best of both worlds.”
SUMMER 2012
What sets us apart? The Language Pledge.
Middlebury, Vermont n June 29–August 17, 2012
community of motivated learners. Benefit from the support of a team of truly gifted teachers. Speak, live—and even dream—the Hebrew language and culture from morning to night, in an environment that constantly reinforces your new language skills wherever your day takes you—from the lecture hall to dance class, from the soccer field to the stage, from casual conversation to scholarly discourse. The breadth and depth of learning you will discover at Middlebury leads to one important result: the rapid acquisition of a rich linguistic and cultural fluency that far surpasses what you would otherwise achieve in a traditional language-learning setting.
Life doesn’t come with subtitles. Equip yourself for the journey. You may be preparing for the next level of undergraduate or graduate language study, gearing up for a year abroad, or pursuing a lifelong love of Hebrew. You may be building toward a career in journalism, international business, peace studies, or language teaching. No matter which describes you best, there is no program of study that will better prepare you to embark on the next leg of your journey. And short of having Hebrew as your mother tongue, there’s no path to fluency that can match a summer of intensive immersion at the Brandeis University-Middlebury School of Hebrew.
Seven-week session n June 29–August 17, 2012 Tuition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,970 Room & Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,750 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7,720
46% Percentage of summer 2011 Language Schools students receiving an award n $3,972,024 Total financial aid awarded in 2011. n
“As an Arab citizen of Israel, I want to learn to speak Hebrew so I can communicate better with the Jewish citizens of Israel. That is an example of what I hope to see in everyone.” —Elias Shakkour, Level 4
To learn more about admissions, please visit go.middlebury.edu/ls/application
Financial Aid is based on need, and all students are eligible to apply; you do not need to be matriculated in a Middlebury College degree program to qualify. Awards are given in the form of grants and/or loans. For a financial aid application, please go to go.middlebury.edu/ls/finaid.
Kathryn Davis Fellowships for Peace Investing in the Study of Critical Languages
Established in 2007 with a generous donation from Kathryn Wasserman Davis, the Kathryn Davis Fellowships for Peace are merit-based awards for exceptionally qualified individuals studying one of six critical languages, including Hebrew. The fellowship addresses the crucial role of language and intercultural communication in reducing global conflict; it provides full tuition, room, and board for one summer of study.
To learn more, please visit go.middlebury.edu/ls/kwd
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Come immerse yourself in a like-minded
Tuition, Dates, and Fees
SUMMER 2012
An unsurpassed breadth and depth of learning
The Brandeis Hebrew Language Summer Institute Waltham, Massachusetts n May 29–June 22, 2012
Participants can expect to n Improve Hebrew proficiency at the beginner, intermediate, or advanced level n Improve the four basic skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) n Prepare for study or travel in Israel n Achieve a deeper and richer understanding of the cultural aspects of the Hebrew language and its literature n Earn undergraduate academic credit
Presented by the Near Eastern and Judaic Studies Department and the Rabb School of Continuing Studies at Brandeis University
Small classes in a research university setting Individually tailored curriculum Renowned Brandeis instructors A beautiful campus Summertime in Boston Historic cultural sites to visit throughout New England
To learn more, please visit www.brandeis.edu/summer
Tuition, Dates, and Fees
Application Deadline n May 20, 2012 Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50 Tuition for All Levels . . . . . . . . $3,225 On-Campus Accommodations . . . . TBA Board Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . TBA (Kosher dining is available throughout the summer.)
Placement and Academics Each student will be individually assessed and placed by Vardit Ringvald, director of the Hebrew Language Program at Brandeis. Our goal is to ensure that all students’ instructional needs are met. Course offerings will include beginning Hebrew, two levels of intermediate Hebrew, and advanced Hebrew, along with Israeli culture and conversation.
Accommodations for Undergraduates and Graduate Students
For those who would like added exposure to Hebrew and reinforcement in conversational skills, consider our accommodations, which are supervised by Hebrew-speaking residence staff. Students are housed in suite-style accommodations where vocabulary building and informal reinforcement of conversational skills are natural extensions. An activities center within our accommodations is provided for all program participants to view films, read periodicals, have peer and professional assistance with homework assignments, and join in playing Hebrew editions of familiar games. The dining facility is a 10-minute walk from accommodations for those staying on campus.
The Next Step
For additional information, application and placement materials, or answers to your questions, please contact us at: Hebrew Language Summer Institute Rabb School of Continuing Studies MS 085 Brandeis University P.O. Box 549110 Waltham, MA 02454-9110 781.736.3424 781.736.8124 fax summerschool @ brandeis.edu www.brandeis.edu/summer
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The Summer Institute The Hebrew Program at Brandeis University will present its 16th annual Hebrew Language Summer Institute from May 29 to June 22, 2012, on the Brandeis campus in Waltham, Massachusetts. This four-week institute gives students the opportunity to benefit from a well-established program without the added expense of international travel or an extended absence from home, business, and other pursuits. Admission is open to high school, undergraduate, and graduate students, as well as teachers and educators from secondary and postsecondary institutions. The institute also welcomes adults who wish to become proficient in the Modern Hebrew language; this program is ideal for those juggling professional life and family life.
SUMMER 2012
An Ideal Way to Learn Modern Hebrew
Hebrew at Brandeis The nationally acclaimed Brandeis University Hebrew Program, one of the first Modern Hebrew programs in the United States, has assumed a leadership role in teaching Hebrew, developing Hebrew proficiency guidelines and curricula, and adapting Israeli cultural materials for comprehension testing. The program is staffed by dedicated instructors who average 15 years of teaching experience; each instructor contributes expertise in a specialized aspect of Israeli culture and Hebrew language, such as theater, film, and literature. Experience individualized academic attention at Brandeis; our hallmark is bringing each student to the next level of proficiency on all measures in four short weeks.