There are few languages that hold the level of prestige and importance to as many people as does Hebrew. Like Latin, it is studied, professed, and analyzed constantly. English to Hebrew language skills and translation can be a true challenge, however, as the language is quite difficult to learn — especially for those who are new to it and plan to translate or interpret the language.
While Hebrew may be a tricky language at first, there are ways to make the learning process easier and less stressful. Take the following tips into consideration and your English to Hebrew skills will no doubt see fast improvement.
Watch Subtitled American Films
One of the most enjoyable ways to study and internalize Hebrew is to watch American films that have been subtitled in Hebrew. It’s best to watch a film you’re familiar with, as you’ll have an easier time following the dialogue. When you embrace this exercise, you’ll be hearing English, yet reading Hebrew, both at the same time. This creates a connection between the two in the brain and makes the language much easier to learn.
Get Together with Others who Speak Hebrew
There’s no substitute for speaking with another person face to face when trying to learn a language, and Hebrew is no exception to that rule. You can form “study halls” with friends, colleagues, or family members who either speak or are learning how to speak Hebrew. With them, you can bounce words, phrases, and ideas off of one another. This is an excellent, low-pressure forum for expanding your knowledge about the language, and you can do it every day if you have the time and resources.
Test Yourself Regularly
When trying to learn Hebrew, there’s nothing more important than taking the time to test yourself on the progress you’ve made. There are mountains of books and online tools available that let you perform these self-tests, although you can typically find the resources you’ll need for free online. Every day, try to set aside at least 20 minutes to work on your Hebrew. Test yourself at the end to see where you stand with the new material. Learning Hebrew takes a lot of practice, but it’s far from impossible.
