The language that united far-flung communities of Ashkenazic Jews over the last thousand years, Yiddish was favored despite the fluency of the populace in other languages. A great body of literature exists in Yiddish, and proficiency in it opens vast worlds to the Jew. Reading, writing, comprehension and conversation are the goals of the Yiddish program. Students can opt for the conversational Yiddish course or the independent study course in addition to the required Yiddish Sichos courses.

• Elementary Yiddish
  L120 - 1 credit

  An independent study course, supplemented by tapes and workbook.

• Conversational Yiddish
  L121 - 1 credit

  This class covers a basic vocabulary list and beginning grammar to enable the student to converse in Yiddish at a basic level.

The goal of the Hebrew language program is to enable students to achieve fluency both in reading of and comprehension of scriptural and commentative texts and in writing and speaking modern Hebrew. Many of these skills will be acquired through the Biblical Studies Program; however, students should consider these courses to supplement their skills.

• Hebrew
  L110 - No credit

  A remedial tutorial in Hebrew reading is provided for the student who has not yet mastered reading Hebrew, which is a prerequisite for all Biblical studies courses.

• Hebrew Ulpan
  L111 - 2 credits

  An intensive program for attaining fluency in speaking and reading modern Hebrew; given on different levels to accommodate students' varied needs.

The goal of the ESL courses is to enable foreign students lacking proficiency in the English language to achieve the minimum level of comprehension necessary to join Machon Chana classes.

• L131 - No credit

  Foreign students acquire a working knowledge of the English language to supplement English course work.