All Language Resources is an independent review site. If you click a product link, we may earn money from a seller at no cost to you. Writing and analyses are author opinions. Learn More

Hebrew

Verbally Reader Mini Review: A Reading and Listening Tool for Language Learners

Verbally Reader

Price:

$2.99/month

Summary

Verbally Reader is a Chrome extension designed mainly for intermediate learners and above who want to incorporate authentic content into their learning routine. It supports English, Dutch, Spanish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, and Portuguese, turning web pages into a reading and listening practice activity.

Verbally Reader lets you use content from any webpage (news articles, recipes, blog posts, and more), adding audio to what you’re reading while showing a synchronized translation underneath to help you follow the material without needing to switch between tools. Your target language remains the main focus, while the translations are available whenever you need help understanding the meaning. By pairing both listening and reading, Verbally Reader makes it easier for you to connect pronunciation, meaning, and context. This keeps the focus on strengthening your comprehension skills rather than simply reading translations. Every article becomes a learning session, and as you read and listen to an article, you can save unfamiliar words to review later. Additionally, there are comprehension quizzes at three difficulty levels to check your understanding. Compared to other immersion tools, Verbally Reader integrates features that are often found separately across multiple resources. By combining reading, listening, vocabulary review, and exercises in one place, Verbally Reader offers a comprehensive approach to improving comprehension skills.

It’s important to note that Verbally Reader works only on desktop Chrome browsers (no app available). It also requires a subscription after the free trial period, so it may not suit learners who want completely free resources. That said, Verbally Reader is a good addition to your learning routine as you transition into real-world language use.

Verbally Reader Mini Review: A Reading and Listening Tool for Language Learners Read More »

Yapr Mini Review: Practice Speaking Languages With AI

Yapr

Price:

15.99 CAD/Month

Summary

If your goal is to talk more and build confidence through conversation, you might want to try Yapr.

Yapr is an AI-powered language app that focuses on speaking practice. It aims to help learners speak more naturally by simulating real conversations with AI. The app supports multiple languages, and you can learn any supported language from another language you already know. For instance, you can learn Italian through Korean or German through Spanish and so on. Yapr combines practice scenarios, lessons, and games to help you progress from beginner to advanced.

Rather than relying on flashcards or drills, it encourages you to start speaking from the start. The platform emphasizes low-latency interactions, so your conversations feel smooth and follow a natural rhythm, though poor connectivity issues may break your momentum. During these conversations, Yapr’s AI responds, corrects your mistakes, and keeps the conversation moving, making it feel more like a real conversation. You can also get instant translations during conversations, save new vocabulary in a built-in dictionary, and complete daily quests that help keep your practice consistent. Additionally, Yapr’s AI creates personalized lessons for you by analyzing your speech patterns, finding your problem areas. Yapr shares similarities with tools like Praktika and Fluently, but with a smoother interface that encourages natural conversation flow.

Because it is relatively new, it currently offers fewer structured lessons, which may make it less suitable for complete beginners who need a more guided course. Overall, Yapr works best as a speaking practice tool rather than a full language course. It can be a useful supplement for learners who want regular speaking practice and feedback on their speaking skills

Yapr Mini Review: Practice Speaking Languages With AI Read More »

ONESTOP - Learn Hebrew

How to Learn Hebrew – A Beginner’s Self-Study Guide

Learn Hebrew with this beginner-friendly self-study guide, designed to take you from deciphering the Aleph-Bet to mastering basic phrases. Along the way, you’ll find practical tips for daily practice, cultural immersion, and using modern resources to make learning both enjoyable and effective.

Why Learning Hebrew is Your Next Epic Adventure

Learning Hebrew isn’t just about mastering a new language—it’s about diving headfirst into one of the most ancient and culturally rich languages still thriving today. Spoken by over 9 million people worldwide, Hebrew bridges the gap between age-old traditions and modern innovation. Whether you’re captivated by its biblical roots, curious about Israeli culture, or fascinated by its visually striking alphabet, Hebrew offers an immersive and rewarding linguistic journey.

The revival of Hebrew is a linguistic phenomenon like no other. Once relegated to religious texts and prayers, it was resurrected in the 19th and 20th centuries and is now the official language of Israel. By learning Hebrew, you’re not just studying a language—you’re becoming part of a living historical narrative.

Jaffa, Tel Aviv. Credit: Public Domain Pictures

6 Fascinating Facts About Hebrew

1. A Revived Language

Hebrew stands as one of the few languages in history to be brought back to everyday use. Thanks to visionaries like Eliezer Ben-Yehuda, Hebrew transitioned from sacred scriptures to bustling marketplaces, giving you a chance to participate in this ongoing cultural revival.

2. The Aleph-Bet (Alphabet)

The Hebrew alphabet, or Aleph-Bet, consists of 22 letters and is written from right to left, setting it apart from most languages. The absence of vowels in everyday writing might seem daunting, but the nikkud (vowel marks) make early learning more accessible. Plus, the script’s artistic elegance makes mastering it feel like unlocking a code.

3. Biblical Connection

As the language of the Bible, Hebrew allows learners to engage directly with some of the world’s most significant texts. Words like “Shalom” (Peace) and “Hineni” (Here I am) resonate with millennia of cultural and spiritual meaning.

4. Modern and Ancient Combined

Hebrew effortlessly blends its ancient roots with cutting-edge innovation. Words like ‘machshev’ (computer) and ‘televizya’ (television) coexist with biblical terms like ‘ruach’ (spirit) or ‘or’ (light). By learning Hebrew, you engage with a language that’s both timeless and dynamic.

5. A Language of Expression

Hebrew’s emotional depth shines through its vocabulary. Phrases like “Toda raba” (Thank you very much) reflect the warmth and gratitude intrinsic to Israeli culture, making it as expressive as it is functional.

6. Cultural Gateway

Learning Hebrew unlocks a treasure trove of Israeli culture—from poetry and literature to music and film. Whether you’re reading Yehuda Amichai’s evocative poetry or enjoying an Israeli comedy, Hebrew deepens your cultural appreciation.

Hebrew text

How To Learn Hebrew

Hebrew Alphabet

LetterNamePronunciation
אAlef (א)Silent or “ah” (glottal stop)
בBet (בּ)“B” as in boy
בVet (ב)“V” as in van
גGimel (ג)“G” as in go
דDalet (ד)“D” as in dog
הHey (ה)“H” as in house
וVav (ו)“V” as in vine (sometimes “oo” or “o”)
זZayin (ז)“Z” as in zebra
חChet (ח)“Ch” as in Bach (guttural)
טTet (ט)“T” as in top
יYod (י)“Y” as in yes
כKaf (כּ)“K” as in king
כKhaf (כ)“Kh” as in Bach (guttural)
ךFinal Khaf (ך)Same as Khaf (used at the end of words)
לLamed (ל)“L” as in love
מMem (מ)“M” as in mother
םFinal Mem (ם)Same as Mem (used at the end of words)
נNun (נ)“N” as in nice
ןFinal Nun (ן)Same as Nun (used at the end of words)
סSamekh (ס)“S” as in sun
עAyin (ע)Silent or glottal stop (sometimes soft guttural)
פPe (פּ)“P” as in park
פFe (פ)“F” as in fish
ףFinal Fe (ף)Same as Fe (used at the end of words)
צTsadi (צ)“Ts” as in cats
ץFinal Tsadi (ץ)Same as Tsadi (used at the end of words)
קKuf (ק)“K” as in kite
רResh (ר)Rolled or guttural “R” (varies by accent)
שShin (שׁ)“Sh” as in shoe
שSin (שׂ)“S” as in sun
תTav (תּ)“T” as in top
תSav (ת)“S” as in sun (common in some pronunciations)

Notes:

  • Final Forms: Some letters (כ, מ, נ, פ, צ) have special final forms when they appear at the end of a word.
  • Dagesh (dot inside the letter): It changes the pronunciation of some letters, like ב (Vet) vs. בּ (Bet).
  • No Vowels in Regular Writing: Hebrew usually doesn’t write vowels, but Nikkud (dots and dashes) are used for learning and religious texts.
  • Right-to-Left Writing: Hebrew is written from right to left.

Basic Hebrew Words and Phrases for Beginners

Here are some essential Hebrew phrases to get you started:

  • Shalom – Hello/Peace
  • Ma shlomcha? (to a man) / Ma shlomech? (to a woman) – How are you?
  • Toda – Thank you
  • Bevakasha – Please / You’re welcome
  • Slicha – Excuse me / Sorry
  • Ken / Lo – Yes / No
  • Ani medaber Ivrit (for men) / Ani medaberet Ivrit (for women) – I speak Hebrew
  • Eifo ha’sherutim? – Where is the restroom?
  • Laila tov – Good night

These phrases aren’t just practical; they’re a way to connect with locals and show your enthusiasm for the language.

Hebrew Numbers

NumberHebrew Number
1אAlef
2בBet
3גGimel
4דDalet
5הHe
6וVav
7זZayin
8חChet
9טTet
10יYod

Note:

  • In everyday writing and counting (dates, prices, etc.), Hebrew speakers use standard Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, etc.) instead of Hebrew letters.

Hebrew Days of the Week

Here are the Hebrew names for the days of the week:

DayHebrew NamePronunciation
Sundayיום ראשוןYom Rishon (Yohm Ree-shohn)First day
Mondayיום שניYom Sheni (Yohm She-nee)Second day
Tuesdayיום שלישיYom Shlishi (Yohm Shlee-shee)Third day
Wednesdayיום רביעיYom Revi’i (Yohm Reh-vee-ee)Fourth day
Thursdayיום חמישיYom Chamishi (Yohm Cha-mee-shee)Fifth day
Fridayיום שישיYom Shishi (Yohm Shee-shee)Sixth day
SaturdayשבתShabbat (Sha-baht)Rest/Sabbath

Note:

  • The names of the days from Sunday to Friday are based on their numerical order.
  • “Shabbat” is not numbered like the others, reflecting its distinctive role in Jewish culture as the day of rest.
  • Unlike the English week which often starts with Sunday or Monday depending on the region, in Hebrew, the week officially starts with Sunday.

Months in Hebrew

Here are the months of the year in Hebrew, following the Jewish calendar:

Hebrew MonthCorresponding Months
TishreiתשריSeptember – October
CheshvanחשווןOctober – November
KislevכסלוNovember – December
TevetטבתDecember – January
ShevatשבטJanuary – February
AdarאדרFebruary – March
NisanניסןMarch – April
IyarאיירApril – May
SivanסיוןMay – June
TammuzתמוזJune – July
AvאבJuly – August
ElulאלולAugust – September

Hebrew Language Learning Resources

Learn Hebrew Apps

Drops App

Drops is a phone app for iPhone and Android that covers 50 languages. Daily games test the user on thousands of vocabulary words, and many of these words are ideal for everyday use. Drops has an entertaining, user-friendly interface, but it also lacks grammar lessons, and it works better for some languages than others. For anyone looking to supplement their vocab lessons, this app is worth considering; however, the free version might be more worthwhile than the paid version.

See our Super-Detailed Drops App Review

Ling

Visi Ling

Ling is a gamified language-learning app with courses on over 60 different languages. Practice happens through short themed lessons, making for convenient and entertaining study time. It isn’t the most comprehensive resource out there, especially for more popular languages, but it can make a decent way to get started with a less common language.

See our Super-Detailed Ling Review

Clozemaster

Ideal for people who are already at an upper beginner/intermediate level, Clozemaster will help you build your vocabulary and learn new words and sentences in context. While you won’t learn much grammar or improve your speaking and writing much, it is great at what it does and the videogame aspect makes it fun and addictive to work though. Although the exercises are all pretty much identical, there are various ways in which you can increase the difficulty and Clozemaster’s free account is almost as good as the Pro User one.

See our Super-Detailed Clozemaster Review

Anki

It is the go-to app for free (except on iOS) Spaced Repetition System (SRS) flashcards. It has a simple user interface with various features that more hard-core users can dive into if they choose. Your flashcards will appear according to your natural forgetting curve; the app will test you in increasingly spaced out intervals, with more difficult cards appearing more than once in a session, while easier cards spacing out over weeks — or even months and years. An SRS system is the most effective way to drive information into your long-term memory. The cards can sync between the web, desktop app, and mobile versions to keep your flashcards updated and with you at all times. 

See our Super-Detailed Anki Review

Memrise

Memrise is a super popular language-learning app available online and on mobile. It functions much like a gamified flashcard app, and it offers a lot of content for free. A lot of the content is user-created, and there is a premium subscription that provides access to additional features. Memrise can be a great tool in your arsenal, but you’ll need more to learn a language seriously.

See our Super-Detailed Memrise Review

Write it

Write it! will teach you the basic scripts of several different languages, using audio by native speakers to familiarize you with proper pronunciation. You can first practice learning to write a small set of characters, then you can test yourself through answering multiple-choice questions and more writing exercises. Although the interface is less flashy than Write Me, Write It! may be a better option for Korean learners because you will learn how to write Hangul from the start. Similar to Write Me and Scripts by Drops, Write It! doesn’t seem to give much background about each script. However, the creators of Write It! also developed Infinite, which you can use for free to learn and practice beginner words that use your chosen alphabet. You can test out Write it! (free), Write Me (paid lifetime access), and Scripts by Drops (monthly or lifetime access) to see which app best suits the language you are learning. For more comprehensive apps, check out Eggbun for Korean or Skritter for Chinese and Japanese.

See our Super-Detailed Write it Review

uTalk

uTalk is a software program and mobile app offering learning material in over 140 languages. Its approach is based on learning keywords and phrases through gameplay. It covers a wide range of phrases, each spoken by a female and male native speaker, consequently offering listening and pronunciation practice. uTalk is most useful for beginners who want to get started in a language by learning key phrases. It could also be useful for intermediates looking to fill gaps in their vocabulary and pronunciation, but it does not offer any in-depth language instruction or grammar explanations. It’s also worth mentioning that for some languages, such as Basque, the occasional overly literal translation leads to small errors and unnatural phrasing creeping in. However, we haven’t seen instances in which this would result in you being misunderstood, and there’s no denying uTalk’s value for languages with fewer learning resources.

See our Super-Detailed uTalk Review

FunEasyLearn

Not only does FunEasyLearn have a slick app interface, high-quality recordings of native speakers, and a variety of activities to reinforce your learning, but it also allows you to learn from 61 mother tongues. The lessons were developed by a team of certified linguists and acting teachers; they cover reading, listening, speaking and writing. You have the choice of learning individual vocabulary or common phrases, both of which navigate between various common categories such as “Describing people”, “General Conversation”, “ and “Transport”. Unfortunately, FunEasyLearn does not seem to provide a foundation for learning more challenging scripts, such as Chinese or Thai; luckily they have a special feature where you can choose to omit the writing aspect and see transliterations; this will allow you to focus on speaking and listening. Ultimately, FunEasyLearn is a fun and easy way to develop some basic vocabulary, but it is probably not the most effective resource for hard-core language learners; you will need to use another resource if you want to learn more than basic vocabulary words.

See our Super-Detailed FunEasyLearn Review

Simply Learn

In Simply Learn, by Simya Solutions, you can search for and review over 1000 phrases in over 30 categories. It takes the typical phrasebook app one step further by allowing you to add your favorite phrases to SRS flashcards. Given that its developers also developed Ling, an additional, more comprehensive resource that supports language learning, it seems that Simply Learn is a supplementary app for individuals who need to learn basic phrases for traveling abroad.  The creators don’t seem to have intended for people to use this app to learn a language in its entirety, but rather to support them in memorizing basic phrases for travel. 

See our Super-Detailed Simply Learn Review

Brainscape

Brainscape is a flashcard app that uses a Spaced Repetition System, also often referred to as ‘adaptive flashcards’, to help you memorize new vocabulary and facts. It has a team of scientists, engineers, and education experts working to optimize their program for effective learning. Brainscape is quite similar to Anki, but has a more modern and colourful interface. They also have Certified Classes, which are decks that seem to have been developed by experts in the chosen topic. The app adds what they call Intelligent Cumulative Exposure (ICE) to some of their Certified Classes; it seems to combine a Spaced Repetition System with gradually introducing new concepts, increasing the difficulty of the concepts, and providing context so you can build your own sentences.

See our Super-Detailed Brainscape Review

For speech practice and vocabulary building, you might want to check out Nemo Hebrew, Learn Hebrew and Learn Hebrew Basics.

Learn Hebrew Language and Nemo Hebrew are both perfect for beginners. They’ll help you get conversational and are great for quick learning, whether for travel or general language exploration. Learn Hebrew Basics, Learn Hebrew are additional beginner-friendly apps to help you get started with Hebrew.

Hebrew Courses

Preply

Preply is an online educational platform that matches tutors with students. There are tutors on Preply offering instruction in a wide range of languages and other subjects. As a learner, you can find a tutor that works best for you by browsing their demo videos and filtering by price and rating. Each tutor’s teaching style is their own, but they all receive teacher trainings and resources to improve their style.

Exclusive 50% discount for ALR readers! Make sure to use our link to receive it.

See our Super-Detailed Preply Review

italki

italki is the most flexible and affordable place to find a tutor for the language you’re learning. They have a huge number of teachers offering classes to students of over 100 different languages. As a learner, you’ll be able to find a tutor that best fits your learning style, schedule, and personality. Teachers are able to set their own prices and make their own schedule.

See our Super-Detailed italki Review

Verbling

Verbling is an online language-class marketplace where you can take lessons with teachers of your choice. It has some student-friendly extra features, including a built-in online classroom, flashcards, homework calendar, and a filing system for lesson materials. There are also useful but disorganized forums where you can discuss languages, share writing for critique, and do free language drills and exercises.

The lessons are generally high quality and well structured, plus the filters make it easy to find teachers who specialize in everything from accent reduction to interview preparation. 

However, it can be slightly pricier than alternatives, so if you’re on a tight budget, you may want to look elsewhere. It also has fewer languages than some of the bigger competitors, so it might not be a good choice if you want to study Azerbaijani, Khmer, or Yoruba.

See our Super-Detailed Verbling Review

Pimsleur

Pimsleur is one of the most popular and longest-standing resources out there for learning a foreign language. Its courses place a strong emphasis on aural and verbal communication skills, paying less attention to grammar explanations and reading or writing skills. There are over 50 language courses available with Pimsleur, and the bulk of the material is taught with audio lessons.

Beat the Heat Sale! Save up to 40% off Lifetime Subscriptions! See details on the website.

See our Super-Detailed Pimsleur Review

Glossika

Glossika has learning resources for over fifty languages that impressively range from Armenian and Czech to Icelandic and Tagalog. While not suitable for absolute beginners, lower intermediates could use the resource to familiarise themselves with sentences in their language of choice using Glossika´s intuitive approach. Listening to native speakers and repeating what they say can help learners to improve their comprehension skills and spoken fluency. While it is amazing that so many languages are included, learners would have to use numerous other resources alongside it. The cost is unjustifiably high.

See our Super-Detailed Glossika Review

HebrewPod101

HebrewPod101 offers audio and video lessons (though they’re mostly audio) for learning Hebrew. They’re similar to a podcast with two hosts teaching the language with the help of natural dialogues. They take the time to explain key grammar points, vocabulary, interesting cultural information, and so on. Their tends to be more content for beginners and the lesson structure could be improved. As such, it’s better as a supplementary tool for improving your Hebrew, rather than a standalone course.

Summer sale! Get up to 45% OFF Basic, Premium and Premium PLUS Plans. See details on the website. Extended!

See our Super-Detailed HebrewPod101 Review

LingQ

LingQ is a language-learning platform that focuses on extensive reading for over 30 different languages. You can import your own content or choose from the community library of books, articles, podcasts, YouTube videos, and more.

The app highlights unknown words across every lesson and makes them reviewable via different types of SRS flashcards. The more you read, the more accurately you will be able to identify content that is suitable for your level.

Although I did not find it beneficial for languages I had never studied before, I think LingQ can be helpful for upper-beginner to advanced language learners who enjoy reading. It is especially helpful if you struggle to find graded readers in your target language.

See our Super-Detailed LingQ Review

Assimil

Assimil is a French company that has been selling language-learning resources since 1929. Assimil materials are available as books, CDs, and downloadable e-courses; there are a variety of available course types, and instruction is based on interacting with phrases in the target language. The popular Sans Peine or, With Ease, courses are for absolute or false beginners that would like to reach the B2 level, but we think you’ll need to incorporate some other study materials to make this happen.

See our Super-Detailed Assimil Review

Duolingo

Duolingo is a super popular free language-learning app. It’s available for desktop as well as mobile and offers over 90 different language courses in over 20 different languages — there are currently 35 languages with English instruction. The Duolingo approach is gamified and easy to use, but the bite-sized lessons don’t offer much in the way of in-depth practice. The Duolingo tag line is “Learn a language in just five minutes a day.”

See our Super-Detailed Duolingo Review

Mondly

Mondly is a language-learning app that teaches basic vocabulary and grammar structures. It seems most appropriate for learners with little to no exposure to their target language.

The activities mostly rely on passive recognition of vocabulary and phrases, and therefore are not very challenging. However, they are varied enough that you probably wouldn’t get bored with short, daily practice sessions.

Although I wouldn’t recommend Mondly to anyone looking to seriously learn a language, it may be appropriate for individuals studying languages with less available resources, or for individuals who are preparing to travel abroad.

See our Super-Detailed Mondly Review

HelloTalk

HelloTalk is a mobile app for language learners interested in language exchange. It facilitates communication between native speakers and those learning their language with the use of built-in language tools. It also offers audio lessons in 10 languages as part of a separate subscription.

See our Super-Detailed HelloTalk Review

LearnHebrewPod

LearnHebrewPod makes up for its lack of modern interface with quality teaching and content. Each of the 70 speaking lessons are broken down into three sections; they are in the form of a podcast, with an interactive transcript to accompany the dialogue. The first section of each lesson starts with a dialogue at a semi-natural speed, narrated by native speakers. Then, they break down the dialogue syllable by syllable to ensure that you understand the pronunciation. The next step is to review new vocabulary and grammar before putting it all together to practice what you learned. The second and third section of each lesson will deepen your understanding and provide more opportunities to practice the lesson content. As the lessons increase in difficulty, the speakers seem to gradually add the words you have learned into their explanations. By the advanced lessons, they will say almost everything in both Hebrew and English. This may get confusing, however, as they say each sentence in both languages, as if they are part of the same thought. This could both take you out of the immersive experience, and be a lot of input at the same time. Besides the lessons themselves, there are also extra activities to test your vocabulary and understanding of the lesson. It seems that you can choose to go beyond the Speaking Hebrew course and study reading or Jewish Prayers.

See our Super-Detailed LearnHebrewPod Review

LinguaLift

LinguaLift currently offers courses in Japanese, Russian and Hebrew. I chose Japanese and working my way through the lessons was very much like going through an online textbook. Very text-based, the material is best suited to beginners although the slow pace and heavy use of English means that it takes a while to make progress. While it’s nicely designed and includes lots of interesting content about Japanese culture, you don’t learn how to speak or understand conversations as the focus is on learning how to read (which it does very well).

See our Super-Detailed LinguaLift Review

Hebrew Podcasts

The website for Hebrew Podcasts can feel a bit dated but hear us out. New lessons come out each month, so you know it’s up to date. Plus, even though the main lessons are podcast format, there are add-ons to help you study, too.
First, you’ll listen to the audio dialog, which ranges from about ten to 14 minutes. There are explanations in English, along with a read-along video. There are transcripts for the videos (and translations), flashcards, games, and quizzes.

Udemy

Udemy has courses from diverse instructors and on a range of topics in Hebrew. The courses range from about 40 minutes to over ten hours long, so you can choose the format and instructor that works for you.
Most courses come with downloadable study guides and other materials—and you get lifetime access once you buy the lesson. The audio is great since these are video-based lessons. Still, if you want to focus on writing, you’ll have to search around for courses with additional materials/homework.

Books

When it comes to language learning, books can be an invaluable resource to incoroparte into your learning plan.

For those focused on reading and writing, Learn to Read Hebrew in 6 Weeks is a great choice for beginners, offering a step-by-step guide through the Hebrew alphabet with plenty of practice exercises. If this book piques your interest, the entire Hebrew for Beginners collection might be worth exploring. For a more hands-on approach, Hebrew 1 Workbook: Learn to Write the Hebrew Print Alphabet is perfect for both kids and adults, providing ample writing Hebrew practice.

If you’re looking for bundled books, The Complete Learn Hebrew for Beginners Book (3 In 1) covers key vocabulary and grammar, while Learn Hebrew for Adult Beginners: 3 Books in 1 offers a comprehensive guide to Hebrew alphabets, grammar, and basic conversation. For those aiming for higher fluency, the 5 in 1 will take you to an intermediate level, and the 7 in 1 is ideal for reaching an advanced level.
For conversational Hebrew, Conversational Hebrew Quick and Easy: Part I, II, III will help you with real Hebrew conversations.

When it comes to reference materials, Webster’s New World Hebrew Dictionary is a detailed resource for expanding vocabulary, while the New Comprehensive Shilo Pocket Dictionary is portable and convenient for quick reference while on the go. Lastly, the Hebrew Phrasebook & Dictionary by Lonely Planet is perfect for mastering essential phrases, whether you’re traveling or just need a refresher for basic conversations.

YouTube and Podcasts

YouTube lessons and Podcasts are not only engaging and immersive, but if you want to learn Hebrew through context or listen to real-life conversations, these are definitely great platforms to look into.

For learners who want to master the basics of the Hebrew alphabet, sounds, and script, channels like Learn Hebrew Now, Hebrew with Ben, and Hebreways are excellent starting points. These channels offer structured lessons that focus on pronunciation, writing, and understanding the foundational elements of the Hebrew language. Hebrew For Beginners also provides an entry-level approach, making it a great resource for those just starting out.

For a more comprehensive learning experience, HebrewPod101 and take a deeper dive into conversational skills, grammar, and cultural nuances. Easy Hebrew and Piece of Hebrew are good choices for immersive content and real-life conversations that will help you gain practical language skills.

If you’re particularly focused on mastering grammar, Hebrew4Learners, and Hebrew Verbs will help you better understand grammar concepts, pronunciation, and vocabulary.

Hebrew Podcasts can be a really valuable resource to complement your main resources. They’re great for listening practice, which improves your overall Hebrew comprehension skills.

Challenges of Learning Hebrew

Hebrew, like any language, comes with its challenges—but they’re all part of the adventure:

  • Right-to-Left Writing: Adjusting to reading and writing from right to left can feel unusual at first, but it quickly becomes second nature.
  • Grammar Differences: Hebrew’s root-based structure and unique grammatical patterns might take some getting used to, but they’re the key to unlocking the language’s logic.
  • Alphabet Mastery: The Aleph-Bet may seem unfamiliar, but with consistent practice, it becomes a rewarding milestone.
  • Limited Vowels in Writing: Modern Hebrew often omits vowels, requiring learners to rely on context and familiarity to navigate texts.
  • Cultural Nuances: Hebrew is deeply intertwined with Israeli culture, so learning it means embracing local customs, slang, and humor.
Tel Aviv, Israel. Credit: Tim Wagner

Why Hebrew is Worth Learning

Hebrew offers a rare combination of ancient wisdom and contemporary relevance, making it an exciting language to learn. Imagine exploring ancient texts in their original language one moment and having lively conversations in Tel Aviv the next. For me, it’s about connecting with the stories, traditions, and vibrant culture that Hebrew embodies. If you’re looking for a language that’s as meaningful as it is fascinating, Hebrew might just be your next epic adventure.

FAQs

Is Hebrew hard to learn?

Whether Hebrew is hard to learn varies by learner; its script, sounds, and grammar pose challenges, but its phonetic nature, simple verb conjugation, and abundance of resources can make it manageable with consistent practice and motivation.

What is the best way to learn Hebrew?

The best way to learn Hebrew involves a mix of structured learning, immersion, and consistent practice. Start by mastering the Hebrew alphabet, expand your vocabulary, and get to grips with its grammar. Begin speaking as soon as possible with the help of language apps or tutors, dive into Hebrew through media for cultural immersion, and make writing a daily habit to solidify your knowledge. The best way is what works for you, so be ready to experiment with different resources and methods until you find what fits.

How to Learn Hebrew – A Beginner’s Self-Study Guide Read More »

Flexi Mini Review: Create Rich Flashcards and Improve Your Vocabulary

Flexi

Price:

Free, Premium-$5.99/Month or $29.99/Year

Summary

Are you learning a new language and you’re having trouble remembering or retaining vocabulary? If you’re looking for a resource to help you expand your vocabulary, then you should check out Flexi app.

Flexi is an iOS flashcard app designed to help you enhance your vocabulary. The app caters to language learners of all levels and the languages available include; Arabic, English, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.

The app allows you to create rich and detailed language flashcards with fields for words, definitions, translations, sentence examples, and images. If you have trouble with certain word pronunciations, you can utilize the text-to-speech feature to hear how they’re pronounced. All fields in the flashcards are generated using AI, significantly reducing the time needed to create new ones from scratch. There’s a unique “Notes” feature which allows you to save words or phrases and easily convert them into flashcards for later review. 

Flexi uses FSRS 4.5 which is an advanced spaced repetition algorithm and seamlessly integrates with iOS devices to support dark mode, widgets, shortcuts for a smooth user experience. Additionally, the app tracks your progress to ensure you stay consistent and motivated as you learn. Premium features include word suggestions based on your current level and interests, as well as the option to import decks from other platforms.
  
What makes Flexi different from similar resources like Quizlet, Anki or EasyTen is its use of advance SRS, the ability to create rich flashcards, their notes feature and AI automation. 

The app is only available on iPhones, which limits its overall accessibility, and there are no ready-made flashcard decks or community-shared decks. You’ll use AI to create your own flashcards, which can be less convenient for those looking for quick start options. But if you prefer to make your own flashcards and enjoy learning on your phone, Flexi can be an engaging and effective way to learn new vocabulary.

Flexi Mini Review: Create Rich Flashcards and Improve Your Vocabulary Read More »

LanguagePod101 — All Languages, Pod101 and Class101

Updated November 20, 2023

If you want a language learning podcast that consistently adds new content to keep you motivated, you will find the “Pod101” and “Class101” series quite useful.

One great thing about LanguagePod101 programs is that they do publish new content ALL THE TIME. And their pricing structure allows language learners of any mastery and commitment levels to find contents that are useful. The pricing starts at a mere few dollars per month, and the top subscription called Premium PLUS gives learners personal feedback and a personalized program to follow.

Visit Language Learning Programs in the LanguagePod101 Series

Click the icon to visit the site for the language you want. Purchase or just check it out. Happy Learning!

You can also read ALR independent reviews for each language’s program in the following section.

LanguagePod101 — All Languages, Pod101 and Class101 Read More »

Mondly Review

Mondly Review – Is Mondly Worth It?

Rating 2.7

Summary

Mondly is a language-learning app that teaches basic vocabulary and grammar structures. It seems most appropriate for learners with little to no exposure to their target language.

The activities mostly rely on passive recognition of vocabulary and phrases, and therefore are not very challenging. However, they are varied enough that you probably wouldn’t get bored with short, daily practice sessions.

Although I wouldn’t recommend Mondly to anyone looking to seriously learn a language, it may be appropriate for individuals studying languages with less available resources, or for individuals who are preparing to travel abroad.


Quality 3.0

Both the interface and the course itself could be designed better. *Edited on Nov 22* It has made many improvements this year. We will update soon.

Thoroughness 2.5

It’s decent for learning vocabulary, but I thought a lot of the material wasn’t explained very well.

Value 3.0

It’s fairly inexpensive.

I Like
  • Daily lessons, weekly quizzes, and monthly challenges – these functionalities encourage you to practice every day.
  • The vocabulary included is useful and drilled in an effective way.
  • It’s fairly inexpensive.
I Don’t Like
  • The content and exercises are the same for all levels and languages.
  • The exercises are mostly passive.
  • I don’t think the order of lessons and topics is very well thought out.
  • For me, the interface is not user friendly and the platform is visually unappealing.
Price

There are three plans… $9.99 per month for one language $47.99 per year for one language and $89.99 for Lifetime Access to all languages.

Mondly Review – Is Mondly Worth It? Read More »

Lang Workbooks Mini Review: Thorough Writing Practice

Lang Workbooks

Rating 4.0
Price:

$5.99

Summary

For learners of languages that use unfamiliar writing systems, the Lang Workbooks series can be a helpful and practical way to master the intricacies of writing in their target languages. Among numerous other writing systems, the series includes the Korean, Russian Cyrillic, and Armenian alphabets; Persian and Thai script; the Hindi Devanāgarī abugida; Chinese characters; and Japanese Hiragana and Katakana. The series also covers languages that use the Latin alphabet with diacritical (accent) marks, such as French, German, and Portuguese. Many books in the series have been translated into other languages, such as Italian, French, German, Spanish, and Portuguese. The series also covers writing systems that may have fewer available resources for learners, such as Lao script and the Cherokee syllabary. Each book in the series presents its featured writing system with suggested pronunciations. The practice pages in each workbook have useful features for each letter, symbol, or character, such as a recommended stroke order, font variations, example words, and a “Trace and Learn” section. Each workbook is relatively inexpensive. In addition, the publishers of the series have granted teachers and students a license to make photocopies of the workbook pages for personal use, so you can get unlimited chances to practice. Considering the depth of information in each language’s workbook, the books in this series can provide great value for learners.

Lang Workbooks Mini Review: Thorough Writing Practice Read More »

LingQ Review

LingQ Review – Extensive Reading Made Easy

LingQ

Rating 4.0

Summary

LingQ is a language-learning platform that focuses on extensive reading for over 30 different languages. You can import your own content or choose from the community library of books, articles, podcasts, YouTube videos, and more.

The app highlights unknown words across every lesson and makes them reviewable via different types of SRS flashcards. The more you read, the more accurately you will be able to identify content that is suitable for your level.

Although I did not find it beneficial for languages I had never studied before, I think LingQ can be helpful for upper-beginner to advanced language learners who enjoy reading. It is especially helpful if you struggle to find graded readers in your target language.


Quality 4.0

The LingQ reading app is enjoyable in most languages, easy to use, and can expand your vocabulary. However, I found the user content frustrating to navigate.

Thoroughness 4.0

With the import function, users can choose to study almost anything they want.

Value 4.0

Now that other apps provide similar functions, the monthly subscription may be a bit overpriced. However, the yearly subscription seems fair.

I Like
  • I can easily import almost any material I want to study.
  • I can use SRS flashcards to quiz new words from a specific page.
  • Each lesson in the library displays the percentage of known and unknown words based on my reading history.
  • There are many dictionaries to choose from for definitions.
I Don’t Like
  • Reviewing words is chaotic. Every word you look up gets added to a huge queue that quickly becomes unmanageable.
  • The extra features are overpriced and can be found other places for cheaper.
  • Very little of the content is original. Much of it was uploaded by users from other places.
  • The free version is extremely limited.
Price

Premium membership costs $14.99/mo, $119.88/year, $215.76/2-years; single-language lifetime membership costs $229

When I first signed up for LingQ, I wasn’t very impressed. Its seemingly random lesson library, filled with custom cover photos and inconsistent title formats, made me want to click on just about anything to get away from that page.

LingQ Review – Extensive Reading Made Easy Read More »

African Storybook Mini Review: Free Reading Practice

African Storybook

Rating 4.5
Price:

Free

Summary

Struggling to find beginner-level Afrikaans or Yoruba reading materials? Spanish books relevant to Equatorial Guinea instead of Spain or Colombia? Stories in Nigerian Pidgin or Cape Verdean Creole? African Storybook has thousands of free-to-read children’s stories in various African languages, from Acholi through to Zinza. Most of them were written by African authors. The website is best for beginner and lower-intermediate students. The stories are generally designed for young children, with easy-to-read sentences that introduce you to basic vocabulary and some variation in tenses. The difficulty is graded from one to five, with five being the most challenging. You can normally find the English translation of the book, too, although you would probably be better off using a dictionary. Don’t give up if at first you don’t see your language on the website. Some languages have been entered with their English name, others with their original name, and others under several different names. For example, for Swahili, you would need to look under “Kiswahili”, while French texts are under “French”. Frustratingly, not all languages on the dropdown menu currently have texts. According to African Storybook, they have a greater number of books for languages in Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa. However, as this initiative continues to grow, hopefully they’ll have stories for more and more languages.

African Storybook Mini Review: Free Reading Practice Read More »