Special Summer Programs
For over 50 years, the Summer School at Brandeis University has hosted innovative programs that combine the academic excellence of Brandeis with the flexibility that comes with a summer schedule. In fact, the Summer School was even one of the first places where Brandeis students could take online classes long before Zoom was invented and COVID changed the world of work and study.
Past special programs have included service programs to aid people in need in the Boston/Waltham area; specialized intensive courses in Smartphone App Development; workshops for musicians to hone their skills in Classical music; and a innovative Bioinspiratation program that combined a study of plant and animal anatomy with 3-D printing to develop new inventions based on nature.
We invite you to explore the Special Programs offered this summer!
Teaching Hebrew Language and Culture - a program for Hebrew Educators
In conjunction with the Brandeis Consortium for the Teaching of Hebrew Language and Culture, the Brandeis Summer School is pleased to offer the first course in a new program for Hebrew educators:
THLC 200 — Theory-Based Methodologies for Teaching Hebrew as a World Language
The course surveys the core theory-based methodologies for teaching Hebrew as a second/world language, focusing on the power of Hebrew to impact the world view of its learners by contextualizing it in its ideological origins and its connections to the array of the cultures it represents.
The role of a language educator is to provide learners with opportunities to learn. Mastering the core principles that are the foundations in the field of language acquisition (SLA) allows educators to maximize the learning opportunities for their learners in real time. Therefore, we will focus on both the “why” and the “how” in the teaching of Hebrew including the historical and the cultural background of the language and its role in the creation of the state of Israel.
The course will incorporate hands-on, experiential components, which will allow participants to acquire the fundamental tool box that each Hebrew educator should own, as well as to develop their skills to innovate and create their own methods for teaching Hebrew to learners from different age groups.
Enrollment in THLC 200 — Theory-Based Methodologies for Teaching Hebrew as a World Language:
To enroll in this Graduate-Level course, registrants should begin by creating a Visiting Summer Graduate Student record here. Then, email summerschool@brandeis.edu with your request to enroll.
Please Note: On this form, under "Undergraduate Educational History" you do not need to provide a copy of your undergraduate transcript. And under "Brandeis Course Information" you may disregard the part where it says "Please note that you will need to contact this instructor and have them email Carrie Robertson with approval for you to take their course." All are welcome!
Asynchronous Hebrew Language Instruction
The Brandeis Summer School is pleased to offer online, asynchronous Hebrew Language courses over the 10-week Extended Summer Term (June 3 to August 9, 2024).
In Summer 2024 Brandeis will offer:
HBRW 10A — Beginning Hebrew
For students with no previous knowledge and those with a minimal background. Intensive training in the basics of Hebrew grammar, listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing.
HBRW 20B — Intermediate Hebrew
A continuation of HBRW 10a. Intensive training in Hebrew grammar, listening, comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing.
About Asynchronous Courses
Asynchronous courses are courses are designed so that students generally do not need to be online at set days and times. With asynchronous design, you'll be able to progress through the course material at times that work best for your schedule. Students move together through the course as a group.
So while you are able to work on the course at times that are convenient to you, students are expected to meet certain common course deadlines (for example, complete all of the weekly assigned readings and watch the weekly videos by Tuesday of the course week, post video responses to three questions by Wednesday of each class week, and reply to the videos on two classmates by Friday of each class week).
Asynchronous courses are built in collaboration between the Brandeis Hebrew Instructors and the Brandeis Instructional Design team with the asynchronous nature of these courses at the forefront of their development.
Additional Summer Hebrew Language Courses
We will also offer a live, online, Zoom-based course in Hebrew:
HBRW 32A — Intermediate Hebrew: Conversation
Meets on Zoom in Summer Session 1 (June 3 to July 5, 2024)
Monday, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 11:20 AM–1:40 PM EST
An intermediate Hebrew course for students who have acquired an intermediate level of Hebrew and who wish to develop greater fluency in conversation.
Enrolling in Hebrew Language Courses
To enroll in these Hebrew Language courses, you do not need to be a Brandeis student. These courses are open to any adult interested in learning Hebrew. You can begin the registration process at our Visiting Summer Students page. Here, you will find information on creating a Brandeis student record.
Current High School students who have completed, or are completing, their Junior Year of high school are also welcome to apply following the steps found on our page for High School Students.
Current Brandeis Students can begin their enrollment by visiting the summer enrollment page and registering in the Brandeis Workday Registration system.