If I had a dollar for every time someone told me they want to learn Hebrew, but don’t have the time, I’d have a lot of dollars.

I’m not being snarky though – I get it.

We live very busy lives, and between work, school, family obligations, and other responsibilities, it seems like there are barely enough hours in the day to do what we need to do, let alone what we want to do.

I could insert a couple of cliches here: “you don’t find time, you make time,” or, “make a way not an excuse.” These make cute Instagram quotes, but don’t mean much when you’re balancing a job (or 2 or 3), family responsibilities, and you have a million other things on your plate. How EXACTLY are you supposed to “make time” for Hebrew learning?

The short answer is to repurpose your time, and this is something that I’ve learned how to do over the last couple of years. With only 24 hours in each day, and non-negotiable requirements of sleeping, eating, and working, I had to figure out how to do two things: identify the times that could be used for studying Hebrew, and adjust how I spent those times.

Even the busiest of us have time that we can repurpose for Hebrew learning, and I’m going to help you identify those small chunks of free time you may not even realize that you have. 

If you COOK or WASH DISHES, put on a PODCAST.

Listening to podcasts is a great way to learn l’dabeir Ivrit (לדבר עברית – to speak Hebrew), especially if you haven’t yet learned how to read Hebrew. Regardless of your level, there are Hebrew podcasts that are engaging, educational, and usually 15 minutes or less. Two of my favorites for beginners are Hebrew Podcasts and Streetwise Hebrew; look for them in your Podcast, iTunes, or Google Play Music apps. Even if you’re used to cooking to music or having the TV on, repurposing just 10 or 15 minutes of that time can have a big impact over the course of a few weeks.

While you SHOWER or GET DRESSED, listen to HEBREW MUSIC.

This is a low pressure way to immerse yourself in safa haIvrit (שפה העברית – the Hebrew language); you won’t understand every word, but you will probably recognize a few. Some of my favorite Hebrew artists include Cafe Shahor Chazak (קפה שחור חזק), Subliminal (סאבלימינל), Ben Blackwell (בן בלאקוואל), Eliad (אליעד), Sarit Hadad (שרית חדד), and Hatikva 6 (התקווה 6). You can also check out my list of easy Hebrew songs – they all include English translations, most have Hebrew transliterations (for non-readers), and are slow enough for you to hear the words clearly.

If you USE SOCIAL MEDIA or PLAY GAMES ON YOUR PHONE, use a HEBREW LEARNING APP.

I know I’m not the only one who has started scrolling on Facebook or Instagram, and before I know it, 30, 45 minutes have gone by and I have nothing to show for it. I’m not telling you to give up social media l’gamrei (לגמרי – completely) – just to repurpose 5 or 10 minutes of that time for Hebrew learning. Practice vocabulary for 5 minutes a day with an app like Drops; play a couple of matching games to learn your letters with Amit Lomedet Otiyot (עמית לומדת אותיות – Amit Learns Letters); do a Hebrew lesson or two on Duolingo (I prefer their desktop site to the app), or practice writing Hebrew script with K’tav Yad B’Ivrit (כתב יד בעברית – Hebrew Handwriting).

YOU COULD ALSO:

• Watch a Hebrew music video on YouTube – look for lyric videos like this, so you can see the words to the song. Find a song you really enjoy and challenge yourself to look up/translate one line a day (I’ve already shown you how); or
• Listen to a Hebrew podcast while playing whatever normal games you play.

If you take a TRAIN, BUS, or TAXI to work or school, review Hebrew flashcards.

There are lots of pre-made sets from apps like Chegg Flashcards + or Quizlet, so you don’t have to worry about trying to make your own. (I certainly encourage you to though, if you find some extra time!). If you have a long commute, don’t spend it all studying; you’ll likely get bored after a couple of days and give up entirely. Instead, set a daily time or card number goal; for instance, study as many cards as you can in 10 minutes a day (time goal), or study 25 cards a day (card number goal). 

If you DRIVE to work or school, use Nemo Hebrew.

Nemo Hebrew is a solid hands-free app that you can use to practice Hebrew vocabulary while you’re on the road. Before you pull off, select the vocabulary category you want to practice, and press play. The app will say each English word aloud, pause for 3-20 seconds (you adjust the time) to give you a chance to say the Hebrew word, and then the app will say the Hebrew translation. It’s an easy way to practice vocabulary when you’re on the go. 

YOU COULD ALSO:

• Play a Hebrew podcast
• Listen to Hebrew music

If you WATCH TV, replace 1 show with a HEBREW LANGUAGE SHOW.

I know that’s a big ask – we love our shows – but if you have 3 or 4 that you watch regularly, that’s at least two hours of free time – all I’m asking is for you to repurpose thirty minutes! You can watch an Israeli children’s show like Eretz HaMilim (Word World), or Hebrew translations of American shows like Arthur. Don’t be embarrassed either – I’m currently teaching myself Spanish and I watch THE most childish shows like nobody’s business. It doesn’t make sense trying to watch something created for Spanish speaking adults when I’m not a Spanish speaking adult! You’re more than welcome to watch adult shows or movies in Hebrew, of course – but if you find yourself drifting or getting frustrated, try something at a lower level so you won’t give up entirely. 

Can’t give up a whole show? Fine – USE THE TIME DURING COMMERCIALS TO to:

• Do a Hebrew lesson or two on Duolingo;
• Create flashcards – look up 5 words that you want to learn, or you can choose some from Duolingo, a podcast, a song, etc.
• Study flashcards
• Use a Hebrew learning app

I hope that at this point, you see that despite your hectic schedule and life’s responsibilities, you DO have time, even if it’s just a 15 minute window here or there, to study and learn Hebrew.

Unless you are a Super Student, please don’t try to do all of these at once! You don’t want to overwhelm yourself by taking every break you have, or repurposing every moment for Hebrew learning. Instead, think about which ONE of the Hebrew learning tools – podcasts, music, flashcards, apps, etc. – you want to commit to using, and when.

I’m going to launch a 30 Day Hebrew Language Challenge soon, to help jumpstart your Hebrew learning and provide support, encouragement, and accountability. More info on that on TODAY AT 4 PM EST – stay tuned!

Until next time,
💙 T’helah