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Few languages can offer as much of a rewarding learning experience as Hebrew.
From its religious and cultural significance to the millennia-old history of Hebrew literature and poetry, students of this sacred tongue definitely have a lot to look forward to.
There’s a lot to be proud of for making the choice to learn Hebrew in the first place!
Today, one method of studying and practicing Hebrew that is quickly becoming popular among the crowd is taking Hebrew courses online.
There’s a great wealth of sites and platforms you can use these days, which is why I have compiled this list of some of the best online Hebrew courses to help you learn!
Why study with Hebrew courses online?
The strongly defined schedule of a Hebrew course can be a great motivator! Regular online Hebrew classes can remind you to put in a certain modicum of work to improve your language skills each and every day (or at least a few times a week).
Also, Hebrew courses cover a range of topics and themes, from literary and poetic expressions necessary for understanding Biblical scripture to specific pain points like verb conjugations. By making use of this great availability, you can tailor your learning experience to your needs!
Finally, taking Hebrew courses online is a very structured way of learning the language. It provides you with a sense of direction, and every element of the curriculum is pre-planned just for you.
At the same time, they are much more interactive than Hebrew learning books, which can make a big difference in developing solid speaking skills.
As you can see, online Hebrew courses come with a lot of serious advantages. Let’s take a look at some of the best ones out there today!
Best Hebrew courses for beginners
1. Pimsleur
Long the gold standard by which many other language courses have been measured time and time again, Pimsleur deserves a spot on this list by virtue of its refinement alone.
What makes Pimsleur’s approach (the so-called “Pimsleur method”) so special is that despite the breadth of content it covers, the delivery remains very simplistic indeed: up till some of the higher-level material, basically all lessons come in the form of audio recordings of conversations and dialogues performed by native speakers.
This, doubled with Pimsleur’s resoundingly clear structure and universal approach, makes it one of the easiest courses to recommend to any Hebrew learner today. Beginners will find it a very smooth start while even advanced learners can continue to benefit from Pimsleur’s model.
This course is best for:
- Beginners who want an all-in-one package
- Those who find Hebrew speaking skills the most important thing to practice
- Learners of every level who are looking for an easy-to-understand, yet comprehensive curriculum
Price: Starting at $19.95 a month for a subscription or $150 to buy the whole “Level 1” module outright. Try it for free.
2. Mondly
With a gamified structure and a slick phone app to boot, Mondly promises to make learning Hebrew online quick, easy, and fun. The lessons are short, simple, yet effective, relying heavily on recall of past material and immersion.
The app really encourages you to put in at least a tiny bit of practice every single day, making it a perfect tool for building up a solid learning regimen.
This course is best for:
- Creating and sustaining a regular Hebrew learning routine
- Having fun while you’re studying
- Learners without much time on their hands
Price: Free daily lessons. Access more content with Mondly Premium. Check out the latest promo here.
3. italki
Maybe what you’re looking for is something a bit more personalized than a mass-made interactive course. In that case, head over to italki, one of the best websites that I have used for finding a private Hebrew language tutor online.
On italki, you can choose between “Community tutors” – that is, language enthusiasts like you and me who are simply sharing their mother tongue with others and trying to help them learn – and actual certified working teachers from around the globe.
By allowing you to pick a tutor who matches your own needs and designing your own lesson plan from scratch, italki’s online Hebrew courses are some of the most individualized you will ever find.
This course is best for:
- Learners who want something tailor-made for them
- Those who work best under the guidance of an expert
- Improving very specific language areas (e.g. Hebrew for business or for reading the Bible)
Price: A session costs $10 on average. Discounted rates are also available.
4. Wyzant
Like italki, Wyzant lets you choose your own private online Hebrew tutor from a pool of hundreds of seasoned professionals.
Because the site uses harsher restrictions on minimal certifications and experience on the side of teachers, you can expect both higher rates and more advanced methods from the tutors at Wyzant. Depending on your learning style, that can be a great advantage!
Another thing to note about Wyzant is that it is not a site targeting language learners in particular.
That means you can find plenty of people who happen to teach both Hebrew and another specialized subject, allowing you to potentially cross over and develop lasting relationships with tutors in more than one context. Not to mention the potential benefits for vocabulary progression!
This course is best for:
- Finding a highly-experienced, professional Hebrew language tutor
- Those who benefit a lot from face-to-face interaction
- Beginners who want to have a detailed, thorough intro to the Hebrew language delivered by an expert
Price: Average hourly rates range from $15 to $25. Many discounts apply, especially for trial lessons.
5. Cudoo
Whether you’re visiting Israel for vacation or business, learning Hebrew to impress your Israeli friends, or simply enjoy learning new languages, Cudoo’s Hebrew courses will prove useful.
You’ll find three levels of Hebrew courses on Cudoo (which you can also purchase as a bundle) and a dedicated course for learning business-related terms. Level 1, as you can guess, is one of the most beginner-friendly courses online as it features a non-intimidating approach to teaching basic Hebrew greetings, numbers, and other essential expressions.
What’s great is that regardless of which level you choose to start with, you’ll receive a certificate upon completing it. The lessons can also be completed at your own pace so you can easily fit it into your schedule. Plus, you get lifetime access!
This course is best for:
- Absolute beginners and travelers
- Learning basic but essential Hebrew words and phrases
- Interactive lessons available on mobile
Price: $12.99 per course or $24.99 for the bundle. Start learning Hebrew on Cudoo now.
6. Mango Languages
Learn Hebrew on Mango Languages
This course does something rather unique. It doesn’t deliver gamified, cut-down chunks of daily lessons like Mondly or more detailed lessons delivered in a university course-like structure, like what Pimsleur tries to do.
Instead, Mango Languages helps you learn through reading. Not just that, but instead of using text as a way of showcasing grammar rules, Mango tries to get you to understand Hebrew stories and written phrases as early as possible, highlighting for you “chunks” of lexical patterns to help you understand how sentences and conversations are naturally formed.
It achieves this with zero fluff, zero linguistic jargon, and next to no hurdles for beginning learners. That makes it one of the most impressive entry-level online Hebrew courses I can think of!
This course is best for:
- Those who prioritize learning to read Hebrew fluently
- Gaining a quick entry-level understanding of the “chunks” and patterns of the language
- Learners who struggle with wordy, linguistic explanations of grammar and technicalities
Price: Starting at $6.67 a month with a yearly subscription. Try it FREE here.
7. Hebrew for Beginners by Guy B.M. and Yitzhak Pinhasov
This Udemy course is one of the best introductions to Modern Hebrew I have seen on the platform!
It accomplishes its goal of introducing learners not just to basic speaking and listening, but to written Hebrew as well, all within a relatively small hourly load of lessons and without getting overwhelming.
From acquiring crucial vocabulary to learning basic grammar rules to form sentences and conversations, Hebrew for Beginners really covers it all.
This course is best for:
- Students of any background seeking a comprehensive introductory course to Hebrew
- Quickly amassing a basic vocabulary for everyday speech
- Learning how to read, write, speak, and listen at the same time
Price: $48 for this course. If you plan to take more courses, signing up for a monthly plan is wise.
Best online Hebrew courses for intermediate and advanced learners
8. Preply
Like italki and Wyzant, Preply ditches the traditional notion of rigid course plans and one-size-fits-all approaches in favor of allowing you to find and select your own, private online Hebrew tutor.
The main reason why I put Preply in this section for intermediate and advanced students, unlike its two similar brethren, is that it tries more extensively to allow you to tailor your private Hebrew lessons online to your own needs and learning goals.
For example, upon signing up Preply walks you through a quiz that assesses your learning level, current motivators, and desired outcomes.
While that’s a great feature, it also makes Preply more suitable for those who are past the bare beginner stage and have already formed clear ideas of where they want their Hebrew learning experience to take them in the future.
This course is best for:
- Intermediate and advanced Hebrew students looking for a private tutor
- Planning and designing your own lesson plans in accordance with your current goals
- Working with the most experienced Hebrew tutors available online
Price: A one-hour Hebrew lesson costs $15-20 on average. Trial lessons are available, as well as special offers.
9. Hebrew Podcasts
True, Hebrew Podcasts’ website, with its slightly “millennium-era” look and all, won’t charm everybody. However, you can’t find much fault with the quality of the curriculum here!
As the name implies, Hebrew Podcasts tries to teach you the language, from very basic words up to complex conversational skills, by means of podcasts. These are recorded exclusively by native speakers and usually feature in the form of one-on-one dialogues.
There is plenty of variety in terms of the topics, scenarios, and scenes covered by these podcasts. Many of them introduce recurring characters that continue to appear in later, otherwise unrelated episodes – I personally liked these touches quite a lot.
Unlike many other sites offering Hebrew lessons online, Hebrew Podcasts continues to upload new episodes – including both beginner’s level and more advanced material!
This course is best for:
- Learning Hebrew by listening and understanding spoken conversation
- Improving verbal comprehension and speech at any level
- Learners seeking a thorough, comprehensive resource that is continuously updated
Price: $89 yearly; many lessons (though not all) are available for free.
10. FSI Hebrew via Live Lingua
The Foreign Service Institute, or FSI, is a branch of the American Department of State tasked with training diplomats and other American representatives working abroad.
As you would expect, the FSI’s method of language instruction is a legend in its own right. While you can’t easily attend one of their courses without being shortlisted by the DOD, what you can do is study Hebrew online with the help of their freely published archive material.
In the case of FSI’s free online Hebrew course offered by Live Lingua, this material consists of photocopies of the actual guidebook used by the Institute in the 1980s. The book comes with accompanying audio tapes (digitized as MP3s, of course), which help you practice pronunciation and listening.
The FSI’s goal may be officially to acquaint its students with “the ordinary informal speech of educated native Israelis” (thus, labeling this a basic course). But of course, being a 40-year-old course designed for foreign service personnel, the Hebrew covered in the FSI program is quite different from the language you’ll hear on an average day in the streets of Petah Tikva today.
However, for more advanced students who may struggle with a learning gap precisely in the area of formal, more complex Hebrew, the FSI course might actually be a perfect fit.
This course is best for:
- Advanced Hebrew students wishing to improve their formal register
- Thorough practice and revision of pronunciation and speech
- Getting a solid grasp on different styles and registers of Hebrew speech not covered by other courses
Price: It’s free!
11. Modern Hebrew, Level 4 at the Rosen School
Learn Hebrew at the Rosen School
Accredited by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the oldest and one of the most renowned in all of Israel, the Rosen School’s Modern Hebrew course offers some of the most effective instruction in the language that money can buy.
Operating entirely remotely, the Level 4 course is tailor-made for the needs of advanced students seeking to improve their fluency. As such, the Rosen School applies the “Hebrew in Hebrew” idea embraced by the Israeli education model, the Ulpan, online.
This course is best for:
- Advanced students of modern Hebrew with a goal of conversational fluency
- Practicing speaking and active listening
- Full Hebrew immersion
Price: Tuition is €137 EUR per month.
12. Glossika
By utilizing the spaced repetition model of language instruction, emphasizing quick recall and imprinting of new vocabulary, Glossika is one of the most effective ways to take Hebrew lessons online.
Basically, Glossika presents you with thousands of Hebrew sentences that you learn vocabulary and grammar as naturally as possible. You can practice reading and writing (typing) but you can also simply listen to these sentences that are recorded by native speakers, and record yourself speaking.
The hands-free option lets you learn Hebrew even while doing chores, commuting, or waiting in line.
This course is best for:
- Quickly amassing new vocabulary
- Improving listening, speech, and basic reading comprehension
- Learning grammar from context
Price: A Glossika subscription starts from $16.99/month. You can try it for free first! If you’d like to support Learn Languages From Home, make sure to complete your purchase through the Glossika website (not the mobile app). You can sign up and use whatever platform you want, but if you make the purchase using the website, I make a small commission. Thanks!
Free resources to learn Hebrew online
13. Duolingo
Duolingo hardly needs an introduction. The perennially popular Hebrew learning app also uses a spaced repetition model and prides itself on being able to impart useful Hebrew knowledge in “just 5 minutes a day!”.
Compared to other apps on this list, the higher-level material on Duolingo isn’t quite as effective, nor does it offer as easily transferable real-life language skills.
But as a solid start that never stops being entertaining and addictive to play with, Duolingo serves as an excellent motivator to get the Hebrew ball rolling – all without leaving your home, and without spending a penny!
This course is best for:
- Learning the basics of reading and speaking Hebrew in a fun way
- Practicing vocab, listening, and pronunciation in a few minutes per day
- Combining with other curriculums and courses for maximum immersion
14. HebrewPod101
A vast repository of lessons in both text and audio formats, HebrewPod101 takes clear inspiration from similar podcast-inspired sites, like Hebrew Podcasts.
In a direct comparison, HebrewPod’s course structure can seem somewhat more cluttered and uneven. The introduction isn’t the most solid start to learning Hebrew that I have seen, and it’s questionable how much English the course keeps using even at advanced levels.
However, what you can’t fault HebrewPod101 for is its huge wealth of content and exercises that will keep any learner occupied for a long time.
While not every single lesson is available for free, most are – and as other paid options offer a higher quality of instruction, I wouldn’t recommend spending on the premium version of HebrewPod101.
This course is best for:
- Intermediate students who need a free, exhaustive online reference for Hebrew
- Beginners who don’t mind learning at a slower pace than with spaced repetition-based apps
- Learners of any stage who prefer bilingual instruction over the “Hebrew in Hebrew” model
15. Streetwise Hebrew
Speaking of podcast lessons, there is no single Hebrew audio program I would recommend more readily to students than Streetwise Hebrew.
It’s not a comprehensive course, and it won’t single-handedly teach you how to speak the language – but it’s available free of charge, and the presenter Guy Sharett knows what he’s doing.
In each Streetwise Hebrew episode, Guy walks you through a common expression, word, or root found “on the street” in today’s Israel. He doesn’t just offer you a translation for memorizing that new vocabulary, but goes further in explaining cultural contexts, related and similar words, as well as popular phrases and expressions that may derive from it.
With this approach, you learn not just one, but a whole bunch of interrelated vocab with every episode of Streetwise Hebrew!
I wrote an article compiling Hebrew podcasts — worth checking out if you’re interested in furthering your Hebrew learning with this kind of resource!
This course is best for:
- Acquiring genuine colloquial Hebrew vocab “from the street” and learning how to use it
- Enhancing your daily Hebrew immersion and listening comprehension
- Learning more about how the Hebrew root system works at a low level
16. ‎Teach Me Hebrew
This is less of an online Hebrew course and more of a free resource that is geared towards learners of every level.
Teach Me Hebrew offers lessons on learning how to read the Hebrew script, on both basic and advanced grammar, and it even contains authentic Israeli jokes! That’s not even scratching the surface, though: it’s a really comprehensive language resource, maybe even the most comprehensive one available for free online.
Some may not appreciate how unsorted and unfiltered the material on the page is. Others will see it as a great advantage: no boring curriculum to sift through, just select the topic you’re interested in practicing!
This course is best for:
- Reviewing and assessing specific topics in Hebrew
- Learning and practicing grammar, listening comprehension, and cultural trivia
- Students who don’t conform to the rigid structure of traditional courses
Where to find the best Biblical Hebrew course online
17. ‎The Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s Online Biblical Hebrew Course
Check out the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Where else to learn the language of the Bible than at the most distinguished university dedicated to its study, located right smack-dab in Jerusalem?
Sure, making the trip to the Holy City may not be in the realm of possibility for everyone. That’s why the Hebrew University of Jerusalem has decided to offer an online Biblical Hebrew course for curious students from around the globe.
With excellent material, a comprehensive syllabus, and some of the highest-grade online instruction you can get, the Hebrew University’s online course is among the most highly praised in the field of studying Biblical Hebrew. Note that the university also offers a separate course in Biblical Aramaic, which may also be of interest!
This course is best for:
- Students of every experience level who wish to study Biblical Hebrew in a traditional university environment online
- Those who wish to combine Biblical Hebrew studies with Classical Aramaic
- Developing a very advanced level of Biblical Hebrew understanding from scratch
Price: Tuition depends on many factors. Call or write an application to receive a definite, personal quote.
18. Zondervan: Basics of Biblical Hebrew
Especially in the United States, Zondervan’s reputation for its online courses on the study of ancient liturgical languages – Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic – is unmatched.
Though funded and designed by a Christian publisher and firmly targeted towards Christian scholars and students who wish to read the original, untranslated manuscripts of the Old and New Testaments, Zondervan’s “Basics of Biblical Hebrew” should remain relevant to any learner regardless of their religious stances.
Zondervan also publishes accompanying textbooks that explain, review, and expand on much of the material covered online.
This course is best for:
- Beginners seeking a solid grounding in Biblical Hebrew
- Those who work best with a multimedia setup
- Christian students interested in Old Testament interpretation
Price: Full access to the program for 12 months starts at $299.99.
19. Learn to Read Biblical Hebrew
This Udemy course led by Jeff Benner is perfect for students just starting out with Biblical Hebrew.
It doesn’t assume or request any pre-existing knowledge of the language (including Modern Hebrew) and gently walks you through core concepts, such as the script, basic grammar, and syntax necessary for understanding many Biblical passages.
Furthermore, the course also helps prepare you for a more thorough study by providing you with the methods and tools necessary for translating and interpreting Biblical Hebrew yourself.
This course is best for:
- Beginners seeking an easy introduction to the Biblical Hebrew language
- Biblical students interested in forming their own interpretations of scripture
- Learners of any level seeking a gentle, easy, and quick revision
Price: $42.99 for this course. Monthly subscription plans are also available.
20. Biblical Hebrew, Level A at the Israel Institute of Biblical Studies
Learn Hebrew at the Israel Institute of Biblical Studies
Designed and accredited by the same people that made Modern Hebrew, Level 4, which I featured above, Biblical Hebrew, Level A carries the very same strengths.
The 9-month course, while directed at beginners, will propel your understanding of Biblical Hebrew much farther than many other entry-level programs would.
Its main focus lies on gaining the skills to do your own Biblical interpretations and freeform translations while understanding and keeping the tone and spirit of the language intact.
This course is best for:
- Beginners or intermediate students who want to get serious about Biblical Hebrew study
- Anyone interested in Biblical interpretation and translation
- Those who don’t shy away from complex grammar or long reading exercises
Price: €137 EUR per month
21. Immersion Biblical Hebrew
Check out Immersion Biblical Hebrew
There aren’t many ways to learn Biblical Hebrew online for free – at least not many that match the quality of free resources for the modern language.
One exception that I wish to highlight is Immersion Biblical Hebrew. With its hundreds of instructional videos, quirky cartoons, and interactive exercises and practice sessions, it’s structured much like a comprehensive university-level course from any accredited institution.
In fact, it’s presented by a Biblical Philologist and scholar of Biblical Hebrew, so suffice it to say that the material is all authoritative and trustworthy!
For sure, its video-based lectures are not entirely as neat or as easy to look up as the material from a traditional university course. But at the same time, Immersion Biblical Hebrew allows you complete freedom over managing your own time, all without spending anything on your education!
This course is best for:
- Biblical Hebrew students seeking a free course that doesn’t compromise on quality
- Self-learners who are good at organizing their own curriculum and lesson plan
- Those seeking a high-quality resource to use as a permanent reference
Price: Free!
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed this list of the best online Hebrew courses available today! There are many more out there that I didn’t have the time to fully examine. For instance, one honorable mention of mine goes to Rosetta Stone, a highly acclaimed series of courses rivaling Pimsleur in recognition.
Where Rosetta Stone differs to the greatest extent is in its focus on visual learning. The Pimsleur Method bases itself on listening practice and conversational use of language, whereas Rosetta Stone makes much heavier use of pictures, diagrams, videos, and other visual media.
Comparatively, the audio segments, such as dialogue practice, feel a lot less natural and more stilted on Rosetta Stone. For most learners, I would recommend Pimsleur instead, as it offers a greater feeling of immersion and a more realistic, true-to-life delivery.
On the subject of online Hebrew tutoring, there are countless other providers besides the top three we examined today. Of them, Preply is particularly well-reviewed, and if my picks for any reason don’t do it for you, I highly suggest you check it out!