Hebrew Studies Principal
Implementing a Bilingual Literacy Program
Transcript
My role in the school as a vice-principal is to define the objective and milestone in our Religious Studies Program and Hebrew Studies Program. As well, I support the Hebrew teachers in their ever-ending quest of finding Hebrew and Religious Studies tools that will feed our students. Our students are in school from eight thirty to four. The program is divided into two; Hebrew Studies and General Studies. The two programs are tightly connected. Many skills will be developed across the board. Teachers will be working together to make sure students get the opportunity to reinforce and consolidate their skills. Our pre-school program introduces Hebrew literacy into the everyday life of our students. Hebrew books will be read to the students, presenting them with Hebrew vocabulary, phrases, rhyming words. Students will learn the name of the items in the classroom around them and will be encouraged to use this vocabulary when they communicate with friends and their teachers. The two programs are tightly connected; many skills are transferred between programs. So for example, if students are learning in English to develop their phonemicular wording skills they will learn exactly the same skill in Hebrew. They will learn the link between a letter and its sound. Students are developing the phonemicular word in both languages. We all know that there are different phonemes in Hebrew and in English, and that the challenge is sometimes teachers have to face, to show them the different phonemes in the language and to help them understand how to use the different sounds. The students are learning two alphabetical systems at the same time: the Hebrew and the English. It's important for them to learn what's common in between the two systems, but to realize that there are so many differences. In Hebrew we read from right to left, while the vowels are under the letters. Students learn to recognize the Hebrew letters and the vowel system. The vowel system in Hebrew is different than English. It comes under the letters, and students learn the sound that every vowel will make. This will lead them into reading words. Some of the words they've already learned in their vocabulary which will make it easier for them to read. They will learn about the two systems and how both of them are constructed.
Summary
Insights from a Hebrew Studies Principal about bilingual literacy education at a Hebrew Day School.
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