Hebrew Proficiency

Hebrew language proficiency is required of all degree students.  Once a student is accepted to Siegal College s/he will be evaluated for Hebrew knowledge level by the Director of Hebrew Studies.  Each student will develop a study plan to achieve Hebrew proficiency.  It is recommended that students begin Hebrew study early in their course of study.

Native speakers of Hebrew are usually not expected to take the test or enroll in a language course. Their letters of acceptance will indicate if they are exempt.  In the case where such exemption is not in the letter of acceptance to the program, the student should contact the Director of Hebrew Studies for an assessment.   The Director will follow up with a letter confirming the student's status.

For the Hebrew Concentration, proficiency will be demonstrated through completion of Hebrew 400 or its equivalent.  Judaic and Jewish Education Concentration students will complete the second semester Hebrew at the 200 level or its equivalent.  The second semester course at the 200 level must be taken for credit with a minimum grade of B.  Hebrew language courses below the 200 level will not apply toward the Master of Arts in Judaic Studies.

Students can establish competency by passing Siegal College’s Hebrew proficiency test.

Preparing for the test

The test covers the material included in the Shalav I and Shalav II textbooks published by Behrman House or the equivalent text:  Brandeis Modern Hebrew.  It assesses knowledge of:
•    decoding and reading comprehension
•    basic grammar (e.g. noun / adjective agreement, identifying verb roots, Pa’al  and Pi’el conjugations).
•    writing cursive and composing simple sentences
•    translation
•    basic vocabulary

Test Administration

The test is administered by an impartial proctor, arranged by the student in conjunction with the Director of Hebrew Studies.  The proctor sends the completed tests to the Director of Hebrew Studies for evaluation.  The student will then receive a letter from the Director of Hebrew Studies informing them of the test results.  Either undergraduate credit or an exemption from the Hebrew requirement may be awarded on the basis of the test results. If the student does not pass the test, s/he gets another chance, and a parallel test form will be administered.  The student may be required to repeat only certain parts of the test.

Non-matriculating students may petition the Office of Student Services to take a Hebrew Language Proficiency Examination.  If approved, a $50 fee  must be paid prior to the examination.