Learn Hebrew: 23 Best Hebrew Courses
If you are thinking of traveling to Jerusalem or any part of Israel, you need to learn Hebrew. Learning Hebrew has advantages; you can understand Jewish traditions, the history of Israel, Israeli way of life and communicate effectively while there.
There's no better way to learn than through online Jewish classes. These courses focus on teaching you the Hebrew aleph-bet, word-by-word phrases, sounds, expressions, and widely used words to get you started.
As a novice, you may be familiar with Hebrew expressions such as Sababa and Yofi, but how will you listen to the world news on the radio or watch Hebrew shows while relaxing in Bnei Yehuda? the only way is to learn Hebrew: listening, reading, and writing.
While you can learn Hebrew by listening to the radio, there are better ways to master it faster. There are various free and paid Hebrew courses.
Below is a list of the best Hebrew courses available online or on a mobile app.
Learn Hebrew: 23 Best Hebrew Courses
1. Pimsleur
Prices range from $14.95- $500 per month. You get a free week trial period to get started.
Pimsleur’s online courses focus on how to speak Hebrew. They put little emphasis on grammar, reading, and writing.
Lessons are audio-based,30 minutes long, well structured, and involve listening to native speakers. Lessons build up nicely, making learning easier.
Pros
- Audio-based lessons are a great way to learn Hebrew words
- Emphasis on speaking hence can develop your vocabulary and pronunciation faster
- Learning from natives helps build conversational skills
Cons
- Lessons can bore
- Limited resources for writing and reading
- Little visual content to watch
2. Italki
At Italki, you learn Hebrew at your pace and learning style. Prices start at $4/hour. they offer free trials to enable you to choose fluent or native instructors depending on your pocket.
Italki is affordable and accessible to all users. Whether you want to improve your Hebrew vocabulary, learn widely-used nouns and verbs, new phrases or write, you can select your Hebrew tutor depending on your needs.
Pros
- Affordable and flexible learning schedule
- Free community to help you master Hebrew
Cons
- Teacher quality can differ
- No instant lesson feature
3. HebrewPod101
Prices start from $8/month to $47/month
The program comprises a massive library of podcasts, and video lessons delivered by a native speaker. The films, transcripts, and lesson notes that go with them are all completely downloadable, allowing you to practice on any device.
The lessons emphasize grammar, such as verb conjunctions and prepositions, listening, and comprehension.
Pros
- Able to master a specific Hebrew language skill
- Downloadable learning materials to help you memorize the Hebrew words
- Focuses on Jewish heritage, making topics interesting
Cons
- Videos rely on English rather than immerse the learner in the Hebrew language
- Little feedback to confirm if you are advancing
- Not well structured
4. Hebrew Podcast
Have a dinner party in Israel and have no clue what to say? Hebrew podcast provides you with audio content to get started. Podcasts are last about 15 minutes. You can choose what to listen to depending on your proficiency.
Hebrew Podcast's video translations, flashcards, quizzes, and games allow learners to study Hebrew online in a dynamic and fun way. Explanations are in English.
Pros
- A lot of materials to help with your reading and writing skills
- As part of the trial class, 10-lessons are provided
Cons
- Hebrew lessons are similar, making them look repetitive
5. Memrise
Memrise is a language learning mobile app and website that focuses on real-world scenarios. With each session, there are video clips of native speakers engaged in regular conversations and a lot of audio recordings, so users can see and hear the language they are learning every step of the way.
It has free and premium versions to choose from.
Pros
- You can choose vocabulary depending on your need
- User-generated content is great to use
Cons
- Training doesn't provide much cultural context for Hebrew
- Not ideal for learning grammar or language structure
6. Duolingo
Duolingo is a free language learning mobile app available on the google play store. It lets you learn Hebrew language on the go. Hebrew lessons are 5 minutes long. They also have a word of the day feature.
Duolingo is best for beginners because it makes writing Hebrew words easier. The sound content helps improve your spoken language.
Pros
- Combines different aspects of learning Hebrew
- Possibility to learn Hebrew at any level
- Bite-sized lessons
- Gamification makes it engaging to learn
Cons
- Minimal audio resources
- Application is not good for memorizing the Hebrew alphabet
7. Mango Languages
At $7.99 per month, you can access over 60 languages.
Mango is a language learning app available on mobile and desktop versions. The program gives you a list of goals and subjects to cover in each lesson before breaking down vocabulary, pronunciation, and Israeli culture into small, accessible chunks.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- It’s free through libraries and institutions
- Its format is engaging
Cons
- Very few video content making instruction is boring
8. FSI
FSI is a free learning platform.
FSI provides a ton of recordings and pdf materials to help you master speaking Hebrew. The quality of the materials is unquestioned, even though it’s rarely updated.
Pros
- Downloadable content is available from anywhere
- Accessible from any digital device
- Can learn either from podcasts or textbook
Cons
- Learning resources not updated
- No authentic conversation opportunities
9. Udemy
Udemy is an online learning platform. Courses are free or paid.
As far as the Hebrew language is concerned, there are a variety of courses available. Courses range from basic to advanced and with varying durations of study.
Course instruction is mainly through video tutorials. Downloadable materials for offline access and practice are available.
Pros
- Lifetime access to courses
- Wide range of topics to help develop Hebrew vocabulary
- Offers money-back guarantees
Cons
- Quality and instruction styles vary from course to course
- Some courses are expensive
10. Learn Hebrew Easily
Easy Learn Hebrew is free.
This course is appropriate if you have no prior understanding of Hebrew. The website has detailed information regarding the Hebrew aleph-bet, vowels, and consonants.
You can enroll in this course even if you have no prior understanding of Hebrew. However, this path will not carry you very far. It is solely suitable for beginners.
Pros
- Training begins with alphabets and fundamental pronunciation
- Ideal for a beginner
Cons
- Content is outdated
11. Rosen Hebrew School
The cost of learning Hebrew is around $1200. According to their website, tutors are native Hebrew speakers. Students learn Hebrew is through virtual classes.
Pros
- Combines video education with traditional textbook learning
- Leveled courses are available for beginners through intermediate Hebrew speakers
Cons
- Expensive and inflexible
12. Glossika
Price starts at $39/month or $299.88/year with a 2-week free trial.
Glossika offers tons of Hebrew audio lessons that span from listening, speaking, comprehension, and vocabulary. The course is structured from beginner to advanced level.
Pros
- Large volumes of audio content to help you boost your spoken Hebrew
- One price for all languages
- Lessons are well-structured, making them easy to understand
Cons
- It’s expensive compared to similar platforms
- No grammar explanations
13. Classical Hebrew YouTube Playlist
If you want to learn biblical Hebrew, the Classical Hebrew YouTube channel is the best place to start. Lessons are created in such a way that you will better grasp the Hebrew translation of the Bible.
The instructor emphasizes the oral form of instruction. However, if you're seeking Hebrew writing training, this YouTube channel is not the best option.
Pros
- When conducting lectures, the instructor excellently uses his experience
- Lessons are presented in chronological sequence, making it an easy way to learn Hebrew
Cons
- Content is not updated
Visit Classical Hebrew YouTube Playlist
14. Rosetta Stone
Rosetta Stone is the world's most popular language-learning software. You can get started for only $169. If you want to learn for a shorter period, you can opt for the subscription plans. Picture-matching is the primary method of instruction.
Pros
- Immediate access to all levels
- Accessible on any digital device
Cons
- Pay is per language, hence expensive
- No English is used, making it difficult for beginners
- Little content on Israel society
15. Mondly
Mondly has a free version and a premium version starting from $9.99 a month.
Mondly is centered on a daily lesson focused on games and translations into your Hebrew, a chatbot, and unique augmented reality features. Instruction is through audio and chatbot. This combination keeps you excited.
Pros
- Innovative features keep you interested
- Quizzes to assess what you have learned
- Accessible online or on app
Cons
- Little emphasis on grammar
- The monthly fee covers only one language
- No option to slow down audio
16. Transparent Language
Transparent Language combines the two approaches required for language learning. It's an interactive self-study program that teaches vocabulary and genuine language in a natural situation. The recording option, which allows you to interject yourself into discussions, is a cool feature.
Pros
- The recording tool is useful for practicing speaking Hebrew
Cons
- Doesn’t teach the cultural context of the Hebrew language
- It's expensive
- The teachings are repetitive and quickly get tedious
17. Lingualift
Looking to learn a new language? Lingualift is the perfect place to get you started. Price starts from $29 per month.
Lingualift focuses on teaching the Hebrew language through culture. This helps you understand Jewish history and customs.
The content is well-structured, from basic to advanced level. It’s accessible through the mobile app.
Pros
- Learn 3 languages at the price of one
- Instruction is well-structured
- You can interact with a tutor through the app
Cons
- Focused on reading, which is a tough way to learn Hebrew
- Relies on English rather than immersing the learner in the language
18. LearnHebrewPod
LearnHebrewPod uses technology to provide an interactive and fun way to learn Hebrew. They have five instructors ready to teach Hebrew language.
Courses are available for beginner to advanced students, catering to unique skills. There are practice sessions to help students assess their skills.
Pros
- Online and mobile app (android and iOS) for easy access
- Suitable for all skill sets
Cons
- Little emphasis on writing
- A few lessons per level
- Expensive for what you get
19. Living Language
At living language, you can learn Hebrew language from the fundamentals to the advanced. You can also watch conversation videos. It is entirely up to you which one to begin with. If you already know the fundamentals, you can choose intermediate options rather than repeating the fundamentals.
Pros
- You can vary between levels and topics
- Includes summaries and forum access
- Games make studying more fun
- Audio CDs and books are available for purchase
Cons
- Uses too much English rather than immersing the student in the language
- Little emphasis on grammar
20. Teach Me Hebrew
TeachMeHebrew's goal is to assist you to speak Hebrew fluently. Perfect for people who want to self-teach rather than attend lessons. They offer a vast number of basic to modern Hebrew/English bilingual texts and audio.
Pros
- It's free
- Content is available for download
Cons
- Suitable for beginners only
21. BBC Languages
Looking for an excellent way to learn Hebrew language, complete with video and a variety of supporting materials? BBC Hebrew radio news and BBC languages is there to get you started.
Pros
- It's free
- Downloadable content
Cons
- Suitable for beginners only
22. Loecsen
Loecsen provides you with tools to get started. It's a free online language learning site. Learning tools available include travel-friendly idioms, language nuances, image memorization, and express quizzes.
It provides downloadable materials to help you with your studies. It is brief and straightforward to assist you to learn the new language faster.
Pros
- Download content and practice from any part of the world
- Has quizzes to help you analyze your performance
Cons
- Little content for advanced learners
23. Live Lingua
Another site that offers free downloadable content. Its focus is on reading, listening, and speaking. Downloadable content can help you master the Hebrew words as well as become more conversational.
Pros
- Good for practicing Hebrew alphabet
- Downloadable content
Cons
- Suitable for beginners only
Conclusion
Learning Hebrew can be difficult at first, especially when you are learning the fundamentals, such as reading words from right to left. However, our top recommendations for Hebrew online learning tools can help you develop the abilities you need for mastery without wasting time on materials that won't assist.
In case you visit Jerusalem or any other part of Israel, I hope everything will be familiar. Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.
To sum up, we rank Pimsleur Hebrew Course as the best one in this shortlist as it has 5 levels which include outstanding methods for teaching the language!
Shalom.
