Shalom!

This week I want to tell you all about a project that we are just starting in the north of Israel. Efrat (our new teacher) and I will be moving from the ‘big city’ to Kibbutz Sdeh Elihayu at the end of October, just after Sukot, for 6 weeks to teach on a project. The project involves teaching Hebrew to 20 exchange students from Australia. The students will be studying Hebrew for 4-5 hours a day, 4 days a week for 6 weeks as part of their exchange program and both Efrat and I are really excited about the prospect. I went to London on the Worldwide Ulpan project that Ulpan Aviv runs, almost 2 years ago and really loved that, although I think that this will be completely different. I’ll let you know. This week was a much quieter week on the student front, and so my time has mainly been taken with training Efrat for the project in the north and ironing out one or two things here at the Ulpan. It’s a bit like the calm before the storm as next week my timetable is jam packed with students which I am really excited about. On Wednesday, Nicolas, a Swiss student who is here for 3 months, graduated. Nicolas started at absolute, absolute beginner level with no previous knowledge of Hebrew whatsoever. His motivation has been a real inspiration and it was amazing today to see him reading and translating simple conversations from Hebrew into English and vice-versa. Well done! Until next week… Shabbat Shalom, Saray Pentzak Ulpan Aviv- Teacher

SHALOM LEKULAM!

Hope you all have had a great week. Kids are going back to school (like most other Northern hemisphere countries) and summer is really over. I had some hectic full days teaching and other more relaxing days where I could make lesson plans, individualized for each of my students.
On Monday I broke the record of my oldest student. I always feel connected to students with a lot of life experience and am very challenged trying to adjust myself to their already set learning style; especially at the age of 83! At the end of the lesson she told me that she has realized something important during our session; she has been living in Israel for 42 years and she is still afraid to speak Ivrit with people here. Her dream is to speak Ivrit freely. Even though she knows Ivrit very well she is lacking the confidence. But she is inspired by the fact that Israelis dare to speak (terrible) English to her even though she wouldn’t do the same to them in Hebrew. Amazing what the right attitude can do! I really like this attitude of using the same chutzpah (gaul) that Israelis have to find your own inner confidence to begin speaking the language. That is my message to you for this blog post.
Shavua Tov! Have a great week!
Saray Pentzak
Ulpan Aviv- Teacher

SHALOM LEKULAM!

I just love those weeks in which you get the chance to do everything you planned and needed to do…This week was one of those weeks for me!
Ulpan is going great! I really enjoy my students and seeing them improving from one lesson to the other brings me a lot of satisfaction and pleasure. Receiving a positive feedback form at the end of the two week period is also very nice so don't stop please…☺
I actually found myself dealing with another slight challenge this week as Gil, the director of Ulpan, had to go for a few days to the give some training in Jerusalem. I found myself in charge for the Ulpan and I must say that I kind of enjoyed it (no offense Gil). Doing some evaluations (which I have never done before), taking calls and messages, dusting (☹), etc.
Next week (Wednesday), my best friend is getting married and I am very excited. I have already taken the day off from work so I can be with her during the day.
May we hear only good news and best wishes!
Saray Pentzak
Ulpan Aviv- Teacher