Putting conversation first: Jerusalem ulpan founder reflects on 18 years of teaching Hebrew to olim

Ami Steinberger, founder of Ulpan La-Inyan, reflects on 18 years of teaching conversational Hebrew to immigrants and others. Starting in his living room in 2008 with four students, his ulpan now employs 80-90 teachers and serves approximately 2,000 students annually, both online and in person. Steinberger, who grew up bilingual, recognized a gap in traditional government ulpanim where students learned grammar but struggled to speak. He states, "many of them would come out understanding the difference between verb forms but not being able to open their mouths and speak."

• Ulpan La-Inyan emphasizes a conversational approach, teaching words through relevant dialogue rather than flashcards or grammar drills.
• The ulpan has seen a significant shift to online learning, with 50% of its students participating remotely since the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Steinberger believes that while AI language tools can be helpful, human interaction is crucial for language acquisition and overcoming "fadihot, those embarrassing mistakes."
• He also highlights the increasing importance of Hebrew fluency for Jewish identity in the Diaspora, serving as a bridge to connect with Israelis.