Hebrew Pedagogy Program

עברית

About the Program

The Meyerhoff Center and the Gildenhorn Institute for Israel Studies seek motivated students with excellent academic credentials, exceptional Hebrew skills, and a strong commitment to Hebrew and/or Jewish Education to participate in its new Hebrew Language education program. Full-time students are expected to finish the program within two years, and we are also eager to work with exerienced, working teachers who want to combine their ongoing work in education with part-time study.

Through this innovative program, the Meyerhoff Center seeks to provide cutting-edge training in Hebrew Language education for teachers of Hebrew. Through a combination of courses and supervised instruction, the program helps current teachers draw on their experience to deepen their understanding of their field and improve their standing in the profession, while providing students aspiring to be teachers with practical and theoretical training and real world experience.

The Masters in Hebrew Pedagogy program offers two tracks, one in Jewish Studies, the other in Education, depending on the individual applicant’s needs and professional goals.

Faculty

Avital Feuer (Jewish Studies), Hebrew Language and Language Pedagogy; Coordinator, Hebrew Program
Einat Gonen (Jewish Studies), Hebrew Language and Linguistics
Sheila Jelen (Department of English), Modern Hebrew and Jewish Literatures
Eric Zakim (School of Languages), Israeli Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature

The Hebrew Language Core

Whether pursuing the MEd in second language teaching or the MA in Jewish Studies, students take a specialized core of fifteen credits (five courses) in Hebrew Language and related areas. Offerings may vary from year to year, and where appropriate reqirements may be altered to meet the student’s prior experience or special interests. The course of study is typically as follows:

1. Hebrew Language Core (4 courses)

JWST 619N Hebrew Language Pedagogy
JWST 619P Hebrew Language Pedagogy II
JWST 619O Advanced Hebrew Grammar
JWST 619Q History of the Hebrew Language

2. Research or Practicum Requirement (choose 1)

JWST 609 Supervised Instruction (Hebrew Instruction Practicum) 3 credits, in 1-3 credit modules, or
Research course in consultation with advisor.

Degree Options

Students in our program for Hebrew Language Teachers may pursue one of two degree options:

MA in Jewish Studies (administered by the Jewish Studies program, College of Arts and Humanities
MEd in Second Language Education (administered by the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, College of Education)

Sample program outlines are as follows:

MA in Hebrew Language Instruction (HLIN) (till 2014: Morningstar)

JWST 600 General Seminar
(May petition for alternative course; special section of JWST 600 may be available)

Distribution Requirements (9 cr.)
JWST 648 (other JWST course by petition)
JWST 619Q History of the Hebrew Language
JWST 678 (other JWST course by petition)

Specialization (12 cr)*

JWST 619N Hebrew Language Pedagogy I
JWST 619P Hebrew Language Pedagogy II
JWST 619O Advanced Hebrew Grammar

JWST 609 Supervised Instruction(Hebrew Instruction Practicum)
3 credits, in 1-3 credit modules
or
Research-based course in a relevant JWST field

External Courses (6 cr.)
Two courses in Education, Second Language Acquisition, Linguistics; other areas by petition

Note
*Other courses may be offered in place of these.
For students in the HLIN program, thesis option will typically require additional credits beyond the 30 necessary for degree completion.

MA in Hebrew Language Instruction (HLIN) (Morningstar)

EDCI Core (15 cr.)

1. Student Learning in Diverse Settings

EDCI 633 Teaching for Cross-Cultural Communication
(Course equivalents: EDCI 697/EDCI 611)

2. Research Foundations for Teaching (Choose 1 course)

EDCI 685 Research Methods
EDMS 645 Quantitative Research Methods
EDCI 698 Conducting Research on Teaching

3. Practices & Policies for Second Language Education (1 course)

EDCI 433 Advanced K-12 Foreign Language Methods and Technology

4. Leadership and Professional Development (1 course)

EDCI 630 Foundations of Second Language Education: Legal, Social and Historical Trends and Issues

5. Capstone Course (1 course)

EDCI 732 Second Language Acquisition

Hebrew Language Pedagogy Specialization (15 cr.)

1. Hebrew Language Core (4 courses)

JWST 619N Hebrew Language Pedagogy
JWST 619P Hebrew Language Pedagogy II
JWST 619O Advanced Hebrew Grammar
JWST 619Q History of the Hebrew Language

2. Research or Practice Requirement (choose 1)

JWST 609 Supervised Instruction (Hebrew Instruction Practicum)
3 credits, in 1-3 credit modules, or
Research course in consultation with advisor.

Additional Requirements for Graduate Students Teaching in the University Hebrew Program.

SLLC 601: 1 credit per semester
Intensive workshop for Hebrew teachers (August before start of semester)

Admission Requirements

Admission is granted by the Graduate School of the University of Maryland. To gain admission students must meet the following qualifications:

MA in Jewish Studies Hebrew Language Instruction *College of Arts and Humanities*	MEd in Second Language Teaching Teacher Leadership Track College of Education
• Native or near native fluency in Modern Hebrew • A fully completed undergraduate degree, documented by official transcripts • Three letters of recommendation • Applicant’s statement of purpose which should describe how the applicant’s academic career objectives and experiences fit with the intended program of study • Sample of academic writing • Official scores from a GRE exam	• Native or near native fluency in Modern Hebrew • A fully completed B. S. or B. A. in any relevant subject area with a GPA of 3.0 (B) or higher • Three letters of recommendation, preferably from former professors who can assess the applicant’s academic potential • A statement of goals, which should describe how the applicant’s academic career objectives and experiences fit with the intended program of study
Further information: Meyerhoff Center for Jewish Studies 0142 Holzapfel Hall College Park, MD (301) 405-4975 MAHebrew@umd.edu Contact person: Hayim Lapin, Director	Further information: Graduate Admissions, Lee Building University of Maryland College Park, MD 20742 (301) 405-4198 Contact person: Perla Blejer, EDCI Faculty Program Coordinator

For additional information on Graduate admissions, please visit the Graduate School website.

International Student Applicants

There are admission requirements for TOEFL Internet-Based Testing (IBT). Each international applicant must provide an official statement regarding financial support. This statement ensures that the applicant has sufficient financial resources to meet educational and living expenses.

Note: The International Educational Services Office (IES) will review the academic and financial records of ALL international applicants before the department will review the application. For specific application requirements for international students please refer to the IES website.

Application

Application to the Hebrew Pedagogy Program is through the Graduate School online application

The Jewish Studies Program is JWST, and applicants should apply to the HLIN concentration. For specific application information for the Program in Second Language Education contact the College of Education directly.

Contact Us

The Meyerhoff Center for Jewish Studies
0142 Holzapfel Hall
College Park, MD
(301) 405-4975
MAHebrew@umd.edu
Contact person: Dr. Avital Feuer, Coordinator, Hebrew Program