Four years ago, when NETA curriculum specialists began tackling the need for challenging Hebrew language instruction in Jewish day middle and high schools, their goal was clear: Find a way to engage Jewish teens in learning and loving—not dreading or tolerating—Hebrew language.

Since then, the NETA project, administered by Hebrew College's Shoolman Graduate School of Jewish Education, with funding by The AVI CHAI Foundation, has created a comprehensive, sequential Hebrew language curriculum used in nearly 50 Jewish day schools throughout North America and Australia.

By the time they graduate, NETA students are expected to understand, speak, read and write Hebrew as a second language—and appreciate its significance as a transmitter of Jewish culture and ideas.

"Our books and DVDs convey the reality of Israel using all the layers of the Hebrew language, but engage kids in an intellectually challenging context," explains NETA Associate Director Naomi Stillman.

Textbooks and curriculum guides, however, are only as good as the teachers that use them.

"The curriculum is not teacher proof," says Stillman, "and unless the teachers are dedicated and skilled professionals, they won't bring about the achievements we want to see."

So in the past year, NETA has shifted its primary focus from curriculum development to the professionalization of Hebrew language teaching. Toward that end, NETA now runs three training programs, each offered in the summer at Hebrew College.

The first is a mandatory ten-day introductory course for teachers new to NETA. The second, a 21-credit Certificate in Hebrew Language Education program, can be completed over two summers and an intervening year of fieldwork, and is designed for individuals who seek a career in teaching Hebrew language. The third is an invitation-only Certificate in Hebrew Language Education Leadership program, which trains outstanding Hebrew language teachers to become leaders of their departments.

This year's NETA Institute for Hebrew Language Educators takes place at Hebrew College June 22–July 28 and August 23–31. For more information, please visit hebrewcollege.edu/summerneta.

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