I like this A LOT!, January 23, 2001

This is one of my favorite Hebrew language texts because it combines well-designed videos, flashcard vocabulary, and sound clips with a very effective text book. As an integrated package, they teach listening reading unvocalized text, writing script, and grammar.

The videos are broken into three series that progressively work up to full conversational speed. It is a bit jarring at first to watch the videos with sound slowed down (characters have stopped moving their mouths, but the noise is still coming out), but at least, the entry level lessons provide examples of authentic Israeli speech. This is not an issue in the later videos.

I wish the videos were on a CD-ROM, but the author decided to put them on the Web where they could be updated more easily. That's reasonable. I think you have more control over the environment if they are on CD-ROM in an integrated package, however. (I could not get the flashcards to work on any browser).

This text quickly introduces unvocalized reading -- in chapter bet, as a matter of fact!

A great book and a great value.

Great resourse for learning Hebrew, May 18, 2004

Three things about this book make it stand out. First, you are learning un-pointed Hebrew from chapter 2. I thought un-pointed Hebrew would be difficult, but with a little repetition, I was amazed with how easy it actually is. Second, the website is great. It takes a few minutes to figure out how to navigate the site, but after that it is an amazing resource. It is particularly nice to be able to hear every word used in the text and insure that your pronunciation matches. Last, I found each of the exercises in the book to be very well written and helpful in thoroughly understanding the Hebrew vocabulary and grammar. Would definitely recommend to anyone wanting to learn Hebrew.

An Excellent Beginner's Guide!!!, October 26, 2004

Esther Raizen's MODERN HEBREW FOR BEGINNERS touches the very basics of modern-spoken Israeli Hebrew. This compact (but highly informative) book/workbook has 11 units that deal with not only seeing the alephbet and Hebrew words, but also deal with conversation and listening skills. This tutorial contains topics in Hebrew such as pop culture (ex: Tom and Jerry, Mickey and Minny Mouse) that Americans are familiar with (which makes it easier to understand the Hebrew alphabet and makes the course more exciting), weather, and shopping. Learners of Hebrew are exposed to reading passages without Hebrew vowels from the first unit, which is great if you are traveling to Israel, where the vowels are not used in public places. But don't worry, the reading passages contain online audio supplements so you will learn how to read them effectively. My only complaint about the course is the practice exercises do not have answer keys. Other than that, this is a must have if you are serious about immersing yourself into the beautiful Hebrew language. To get a feel of how great this Hebrew study course really is, visit Esther Raizen's site at the following URL: http://www.laits.utexas.edu/hebrew. Click on the tutorial links, flashcard links, etc. to preview how the course will be. This is the interactive site you will use as a supplement to the book.

Well organized material, best for the $$, December 24, 2003

This program works very well, gets you into modern Hebrew without the vowel markings and the grammar is explained well. The web site is very good once you figure it out (I have broadband). It reinforces the lessons and is a real bonus. I have worked with other textbooks but this is by far the best. If you are studying on your own, want to learn grammar and have web access to practice pronunciation and hearing, this is the one.
It would be nice to have the web material on a cd if you are on the go and don't have access to the internet. Overall, this is winner.

Multimedia Does Not Work As Advertised, June 15, 2003
Reviewer: A reader
The supplemental internet information was difficult to find, not at the location printed in the book and did not work smoothly on my computer. University of Texas website (where the web page is maintained) is slow and makes the process tedious.

I felt ...

Pretty good, January 7, 2003

Seems pretty good, especially in a group/class setting. I'm a student of language, though, and it doesn't explain much of the grammar in this book, preferring to use phrases, and I assume that the grammar comes from somewhere else (a teacher?). I would have preferred a verb conjugation chart, and more grammar. Perhaps a separate book just for vocab vs. grammar.