Why it Feels So Hard to Learn Hebrew Beyond the Beginner Level

Geoff

— 3 min read
Why it Feels So Hard to Learn Hebrew Beyond the Beginner Level
Photo by Adam Jang / Unsplash

If you’ve made it past the beginner level of Hebrew, you’ve already come a long way. You’ve navigated a new alphabet, decoded how to comprehend words without vowels, and encountered the succinct and blunt style of the language and Israeli culture. But while you may get the gist, you probably struggle to understand conversations, follow along with Israeli friends and family, and maybe even to navigate a WhatsApp group with your Israeli cousins.

The reality is that despite years of work, it’s still hard.

You may freeze mid-sentence. You reach for a word you know you’ve learned, but it’s gone. You wonder if you’re improving, or just plateauing. You’ve outgrown the beginner tools, but you’re not fluent yet. And the question keeps coming up:

Where do I go from here?

For many of us, our Hebrew journey began in Hebrew School or maybe an Ulpan in Israel. And for a time, you felt real progress. You got the basics, the structure, the vocabulary.

Once I got to this level, the vastness of the language became apparent. Things like triple smichut combinations of multiple nouns, references from the Tanakh (Bible), and more…

Once you get to this level, there are limited options to learn and practice unless you have a lot of time and money to invest, especially if you are living outside of Israel. Existing tools stop at the beginner level, are incredibly dated, or aren't comprehensive. They rarely address what it means to belong in a language, not just function in it.

The Real Work Starts at Intermediate Hebrew

Intermediate Hebrew is where things get interesting.

You’ve got the foundation, but now the language expands. Biblical Hebrew shows up in secular contexts. Slang twists the meanings you thought you knew. Israelis switch registers mid-sentence. They drop military terms from their army service casually in conversation.

So what helps?

Culture Isn’t Optional; It Is the Hebrew Language

Hebrew isn’t just a language; it’s a living, breathing culture. You can’t separate the words from the world they come from and the history they represent.

If you want to grow past the intermediate stage, you need to immerse yourself in Israeli culture.

A few things that worked well for me to make progress included:

  • Watching Israeli TV shows like Fauda, Srugim, and Kupa Rashit (checkout) that reflect real speech and humor. My favorite source for shows is כאן 11. (https://www.kan.org.il/). You may need a VPN to access some of the shows from North America.
  • Newspapers allow you to immerse yourself in the news from an Israeli cutural perspective. Ynet.co.il and https://www.israelhayom.co.il/ are both non-paywalled newspapers. 
  • Israeli social media accounts can be a rich source of quick, bite-sized Hebrew based on your interests. I like to follow musicians and news outlets on X and TikTok. Especially on X, the short-form nature of the content forces you to engage in short breaks during the day. Comedians on Instagram motivate you to stretch your knowledge of slang and cultural references.
  • Music is an incredibly powerful tool. Israeli music is prolific for a country of 10 million people. Explore a range of styles like pop (Odeya, Omer Adam, etc.) or more religious & poetic music (Ishay Ribo, Akiva, etc.). Sit with the lyrics and study a song you enjoy.

Challenge Yourself With Feedback, Not Just Input

At the intermediate stage, watching more videos will only get you so far. What you need is deliberate output, with real feedback.

Here are a few options:

  • Take structured classes online, such as those offered by platforms like Citizen Café TLV or the Rosen School.
  • Find a 1:1 tutor on a platform like Italki or Preply and have regular conversation practice with feedback.
  • Write journal entries or emails in Hebrew, then get them corrected by a friend or tutor
  • And in a few short weeks, you’ll be able to receive real-time feedback from Dioma on your Hebrew speaking and writing output.

Reconnect Through the Language

For many of us, Hebrew is more than an academic subject. It’s tied to memory, identity, and sometimes, discomfort.

You may feel self-conscious speaking Hebrew in front of fluent family members. Or unsure whether you’re “authentic” enough to claim the language as your own.

But the truth is: language is not about perfection. It’s about participation. And your effort is part of your connection, not something that undermines it.

Dioma is built for learners who've outgrown the basics. Structured curriculum, smart feedback, real progress. Try it free for 7 days.

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