Biblical Language Teaching

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Shalom.

If you need to learn Biblical languages or exegesis and have special learning needs or simply want to work with someone who is patient and friendly, I would enjoy assisting you. I once thought that I would be unable to study Hebrew because it was so difficult to get Hebrew books in braille. My journey to successful language study taught me the value of perseverance and hard work. Through my teaching, I help others to succeed in biblical study as well

My strengths include attention to students’ individual learning needs, familiarity with language learning processes, and ability to teach students to understand differences in word order and learn to think through the processes necessary to translate a passage into clear wording.

My students have included both those who were sighted and blind. I have presented papers at the Society of Biblical Literature and the international meeting of the National Association of Professors of Hebrew. I maintain a repository of information regarding resources and techniques for empowering scholars who are blind to succeed in biblical studies programs at http://www.night-light.org.

I taught Hebrew at AU from 2015-2020 and Greek from 2018-2020. Currently I offer private instruction only. If you would like an overview of my courses, see the Hebrew course info page.

My standard instruction rate is $500/semester. If you have desire instruction but are experiencing hardship due to location outside the United States or circumstances related to COVID, please email me for negotiation.

Q&A

If you want to learn Biblical languages, don’t let anything hold you back! Here are some common questions and answers.

When deciding whether to take on the task of learning a new language, it is helpful to think about the reasons why you want to study it. I can talk to you a lot about why other people study it–and I am quite willing to do that. I do want to encourage you to think most about why you yourself want to study it … and there is nothing wrong with saying that you simply have a desire to learn it. If you are willing to commit a lot of time for this reason, then that is all you need to know. This is the most good and faithful reason to study Hebrew. Most people do not feel it, and that is ok.

Hebrew and Greek were the languages of the people who lived in Biblical times. In Jesus’ time there was no “Old Testament” or “New Testament”. Hebrew also has a sister language, Aramaic. There are many things in the New Testament that are quoted from the Hebrew Bible and from its Greek translation, the Septuagint,; and knowledge of Hebrew can help us to better understand the culture of the Jewish believers who followed Jesus and provided the foundation for the early Church.

Knowledge of Hebrew helps us to interpret the “Old Testament,” aka the Hebrew Bible, for our own understanding. The Hebrew Bible is a part of our heritage. Treating it as something that has been superceded by the New Testament is a disservice to our history. Jesus lived in faithfulness and in tension with it at the same time; and so must we.

Likewise, knowledge of Greek helps us to rightly interpret the New Testament. There are many things we miss when we rely on our English translations alone.

The question, perhaps, is not “Should you learn Hebrew?” but “Are you ready and willing to invest time and energy?”

Can I Learn Hebrew if I am Blind?

No question tears at my soul quite like this one; for I have asked it myself. If I could take back the many years that I thought the answer was “no” and give myself the joy of reading, I would. Since I can’t, I devote the rest of my life to passing the joy on in the hope that perhaps some others will not spend so much time agonizing over this question.

The answer is not “no” but a question. Where there are more questions, there are always possibilities. The answer is, “What are your resources, and then what do we need to do to make this work?” I have known people who learned the Hebrew language orally, with the help of sighted readers. I have known people who learned Hebrew by inventing systems to represent the letters because they did not know there was a Hebrew braille system. I have known people who learned Hebrew using braille on technology that did not display all of the characters. And I have known people who learned it using top-of-the-line systems that worked perfectly.

The moral here is that there is no limit if you are the one who wants to learn Hebrew. When barriers stand before you, you must determine in your heart that this is part of your calling from God and nothing shall stand in your way. It is a very different way to think than what sighted people think about their courses. You will do no less than the equivalent of Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt. If he had given up at the first dry riverbed, there would have been no Promised Land!

If you wish to learn Hebrew and you are blind, please contact me and let’s talk about what you need in order to be confident and move ahead. I have walked the road before you, and you are not alone.

Can I Learn Biblical Languages if I Have a Learning Disability?

My experience prior to teaching Hebrew was with teaching Greek; and we had students in Greek who had learning disabilities. They did well and took second-year Greek. I see no reason why a person with a learning disability could not study Hebrew and succeed, perhaps with some innovative teaching techniques along the way.

I cannot predict how your learning disability would affect your learning process. I like to think positively and look for solutions rather than to think that a disability would inhibit a person from learning language.

I encourage students to communicate with me openly about how they are experiencing the language learning process. This way, if something needs to be modified along the way, it can be done. Success in language learning is a process that depends highly on interaction between the learner and the professor. I can and will give to you what you need to the degree that I am able. I depend on you to help me to understand your needs. Additionally, if you are studying with me for credit through AU, please register with the office for students with disabilities so that your requests for accommodations can be properly documented.

What If I Tried Learning Before and Failed?

If you have tried learning Hebrew or Greek in the past, and you are now visiting this page, I first want to say to you that I am thrilled and proud of you for not giving up completely! If there is some desire left inside you to learn, then let it sink in for a moment and give yourself permission to be comfortable with it. There are many reasons why a person may not do well in a language course the first time. I don’t want to speculate on yours since I was not there. There are several methods of teaching languages, and the same one doesn’t work for every person. Sometimes stress or general life circumstances can get in the way, or personality clashes can make it hart to absorb information. Whatever happened the first time around, there is no shame in trying again. In my class, everyone starts with a clean slate. I encourage students to talk with me if something isn’t working so that we can work together to figure out what does.

languages – Sarah Blake LaRose


Last feed update: Monday June 5th, 2023 01:30:53 PM

Technology, Online Language Courses, and Discipline

Sunday September 1st, 2019 02:21:38 AM Sarah Blake LaRose
I have taught biblical language courses online at Anderson University since 2015. During the first week of a first-year language course, I introduce the language writing system and sound correspondence, and I introduce enough words that the students can read a few sentences. I also teach at least as much use of technology as I […]

The Rise of Ancient Language Text Access for People Who Are Blind

Friday July 26th, 2019 09:18:04 PM Sarah Blake LaRose
Recently an article was published on the Anderson University blog and in Signatures Magazine about my work as a braille transcriber. Space is limited in this article, and the author is able to provide limited introduction to my work. The following post is here to give further detail for those who are interested in what […]

D.Min. Final Project Defense

Thursday March 28th, 2019 03:22:07 AM Sarah Blake LaRose
For a D.Min. degree, the candidate submits what is called a “final project” rather than a dissertation. For some candidates there is very little difference between the two–the final project looks much like a dissertation except that it is different in methodology and in tone. It is based in practice rather than in scientific methodology. […]

biblical languages and scholars who are blind: state of technology

Saturday September 7th, 2013 04:01:44 PM Sarah Blake LaRose
Yesterday, I announced on Facebook that the Bartimaeus Alliance of the Blind has released a digital braille format version of Jacob Weingreen’s A Practical Grammar for Classical Hebrew. This, along with other digital braille files available on their site, may be an important breakthrough for people who are blind and who want to study Hebrew. […]

“since” vs. “because”

Friday February 17th, 2012 08:23:30 PM Sarah Blake LaRose
Greek words often have multiple meanings in English. So a clause may be translated either “If [blah blah blah]” or “since [blah blah blah]”. Of course, this distinction is very important when doing biblical translation. But I’m not translating right now. I’m just thinking about life… Think of the difference between saying, “if I am […]






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6 comments:

  1. Dear Sarah: We adopted our Chinese daughter 5 months ago. She is “legally blind” but can see a lot more than you describe for yourself, and for that we are thankful. Should she learn braile in case her sight lessens? YiLi is 8, and she is clever, very spiritual from the “get-go”, already loves Jesus, loves to sing, and has an incredible 24/7 sunny personality. We have been blessed big-time, and I hope we can introduce her to programs and concepts that can open up opportunities for her she never dreamed about before. She loves to read too. So, with your unique mix of talents and just who you are, would you venture an opinion on the direction we should start in for this first grader of ours? Surgically, our first Ped. Op. has said there is nothing to be done. We are considering going to Akron, but you must go there for a whole week, and right now we cannot afford the time and money right after the adoption. I have saved your site. We found you on the yahoo group.

  2. Hi, Traci. I think the system ate my reply, so I’ll try again. If it shows up twice, I guess you’ll get a double dose. 🙂 I have been offline and apologize for the lengthy delay in response to your question. I am back online and you are welcome to continue correspondence if you like.

    I often recommend that children who can see print learn both print and braille. This allows them to have the maximum tools for literacy and to use what works best in whatever situation they are in. Many adults with low vision use print for things like identifying mail, reading labels on items, etc, and use braille for lengthier tasks or presentations, and use audio for still other reading tasks. Braille can be a very important element in providing a medium for learning to read, especially if a child experiences reading fatigue and loses interest in reading. Whether your child experiences this is something you may need to monitor over years. The print will get smaller and reading load will get much heavier as your daughter moves toward fifth and sixth grade. It is also important to figure in any factors that have to do with her eye condition. Is it stable (e.g. albinism) or degenerative (RP)? Or is there a possibility that she may lose vision suddenly (ROP)? If the latter is the case, you may opt not to teach braille now if she is not interested or not retaining it but stay aware that she may need it later. In that case, keep a positive attitude about it so that you can help her adjust to it emotionally if the need arises.

    Hope this helps. Follow your heart.

    1. Hello Sarah.

      I am a sighted student of Hebrew and have for a long time been looking for an answer key to Weingreen’s Grammar.

      Elsewhere you mention that one of your students has a version that includes an answer key.

      Are you are able to connect me to a source please?

      1. Hello Richard. I think the answer key is likely supplied via CD with a recent printing that studetnts are purchasing. I have never been able to find it but I am aware that most Hebrew grammars are now sold with answer keys supplied. If you browse my teaching page you will see the link to the text that I use. I would recommend posting a question on the Amazon page to see whether anyone who has purchased it that way can tell you if it is being supplied with an answer key. My copy is an older printing and does not have one.

  3. Shalom Sarah,

    I have just read with interest your reviews of 3 vocabulary and grammar resources on HHE, and thought I should draw your attention to my textbook Hinneh – Biblical Hebrew the Practical Way (Volumes Aleph, Bet & Tool Box),
    www,hebrew-with-halabe.com.
    Hinneh, published by the Hebrew University Magnes Press, is available in both print and E-Book versions. The new improved edition will make students’ journey towards independent reading of the Hebrew Bible even better and smoother.
    Hinneh is an effective, rigorous, but non-intimidating textbook suitable for 3-4 semesters of Biblical Hebrew academic or non-academic introductory courses, and can also be used as an easy to access review and reference resource.
    Moreover, with its enhanced, rich color-coded E-Tool Box, (now sold within the full set or separately) Hinneh can also serve as an excellent support for teachers and students using any other introductory BH program, especially when studying the Hebrew verb system.
    My website http://www.hebrew-with-halabe.com offers much information about Hinneh, including samples of Lessons and Tools, my articles about Biblical Hebrew pedagogy, and much more.
    Please, do not hesitate to contact me with any questions you may have concerning teaching and learning with Hinneh.

    If you find this information helpful, I would greatly appreciate your listing it among your Biblical Hebrew resources and forwarding it to colleagues and students who may find it interesting.

    Todah Rabbah,

    Rahel Halabe
    http://www.hebrew-with-halabe.com
    rahelhalabe@gmail.com

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