Transparent Language Online – Self-study course
Price: 6 month course - $149.95 / 12 month course - $199.96
Visit WebsiteTransparent Language Online is the latest addition to the Transparent range of language learning products. Recently I took the Hebrew Online course for a test drive and I have to say I was very impressed with the overall content of the program, the learning methods and the learning tools and resources.
One of the things that I really like about this course is the balance between learning to speak Hebrew, and how to read and write in Hebrew. While the main focus is on speaking there is also a strong focus on the written word, and when learning a language such as Hebrew, which does not use a Latin aplhabet, an understanding of the written word is essential.
The learning interface has a nice feel to it, it’s easy to navigate and very intuitive. The program itself employs some great learning features such as Flash cards, speech recognition and recording tools, voice analysis tools and Hebrew writing keyboards
This course is ideal for beginners, or for those who want to refresh or improve upon previous learning. It gives you everything you will need to learn Hebrew to an intermediate proficiency. (You will also learn some advanced learning points along the way) Start your free 7-Day trial today
So let’s look at what you will learn and how you will learn using the Transparent language Online Hebrew course:
Section 1 – “Essentials Course”
The Essentials Course is one of three core-learning areas of the program it comprises of eleven different step-by-step units, which provide you with everything you will need to master essential vocabulary, reading, writing and pronunciation skills.
Each unit is broken down into three sequential lessons and within each lesson; there are a number of activities that you must complete.
Each lesson within a unit builds on the previous lesson, so as you go through a unit you will be constantly adding and building your vocabulary, reading, writing and pronunciation skills.
Here is a sample of what you will learn in the Essentials Course (Remember there are 11 Units in total)
Unit 1 – Hello: In this unit you will learn how to >
- Use common formal and familiar greetings
- Politely ask for something
- Get acquainted with someone
- State that you have been hurt
- Express wants
- Ask for directions
- Use basic communications facilitation phrases
Unit 3 – Getting around the city: In this unit you will learn how to >
- Use additional communication and facilitation phrases
- Ask about city ground transport
- Use basic phrases for taking a taxi
- Give basic instructions to the taxi driver
Unit 5 – Eating Out: In this Unit you will learn how to >
- Ask for a menu in a restaurant
- Order from the menu
- Ask for information about the dishes
- Complain about the quality of the food
- Ask to speak for to the manager
- Pay and leave a tip
Unit 7 – We are going shopping: In this unit you will learn how to >
- Use basic vocabulary related to shopping at a store or the market
- Talk about sizes and materials
- Bargain
- Ask about locations within a supermarket and understand directions
Unit 9 – Can you tell me how to get to…..?: In this unit you will learn how to >
- Ask for directions around town
- Understand basic directions
- Use basic vocabulary related to driving
- Give basic directions
As I said earlier, each of the above units consists of three sequential lessons, each of the lessons within a unit will have similar learning phases, which are designed to help you take information on board, retain that information and then produce what you have learned. Take a free 7-Day trial today
Each lesson in a unit contains the below learning phases:
- Phrase map – The phrase map provides you with the vocabulary you will use for any giving lesson within a unit, you will see and hear the pronunciation of each word this gives you a start point for the unit ahead.
- Preview it (Flash cards)– Shows you the items you are about to learn
- Pronunciation practice (Flash Cards) – Compare your pronunciation with a native speaker (Audio recording)
- Recognize and write – You see a word in Hebrew and you must guess and write the English translation
- Games – A quick game to help you embed what you have learned. There are a number of games used throughout the units
- Produce and say it – You are showing a sentence in English and you must think of the Hebrew translation
- Dictation – You hear a word or phrase in Hebrew and then you must repeat the word or phrase by typing it and getting the correct Hebrew spelling.
At the end of each unit, there is an assesment to help reinforce what you have learned. The assesment will also help you recognize areas that you might need to revisit.
Section 2 – Byki Quick Start:
The Byki Quick Start allows you to build upon what you learned in the Essentials section, or if you have a limited amount of time, you can use the Byki Quick Start section as means to learn some everyday vocabulary fast.
With Byki Quick Start, you get a series of 10 simple lessons that will teach you a total of 100 of the most useful words and phrases, giving you a solid foundation Hebrew vocabulary.
Just like in the Essentials section, each of the lessons in Byki Quick Start section has a learning path, which is designed to help you take information on board, retain that information and then produce what you have learned.
Each lesson in Byki Quick Start is broken into sequential learning phases:
- Preview it (Flash cards)– Shows you the vocabulary you are about to learn
- Recognize and Say it – (Flash cards) You see a word in Hebrew and you must guess the translation
- Recognize and write – You see words in Hebrew and you must guess and write the English translation
- Produce it Say it – You see sentences and phrases in English and you must think of the Hebrew translation
- Produce it Write It – You see words in English and you must guess and write the Hebrew translation
- Pronunciation practice (Flash Cards) – Compare your pronunciation with a native speaker (Audio recording)
- Listening Recognition (Multiple choice) – You are giving a word in English and you then hear four different Hebrew words / phrases, you must choose which one matches the English word.
- Multiple Choice (Audio) – You are giving a word / phrase in Hebrew and you must match it to correct English translation.
At the end of each unit, there is an assessment to help reinforce what you have learned. The assessment will also help you recognize areas that you might need to revisit.
- Language and Culture blog – Well is speaks for itself. However, this section of the program is very thin on content.
- Word of the day – Allows you to learn a New Hebrew word every day (When learning a new language every new word counts)
- Hebrew communities – From here you can connect get social and intertact with Transparent language communities on face book. (This can be a great way to complete your learning, if you can get to meet native speakers)
- Mobile apps – Mobile allows you to take Transparent Language Online learning "on the go" with your Apple® iPad™, iPhone™, iPod™ touch, or Android powered device. There is no charge. All you need is Byki for iPhone Community Edition, which is FREE on the App Store and the Android Market.
Course information and pricing:
- The 6 month course costs – $149.95
- The 12 month course costs – $199.96
- Price – While I understand the thinking behind the price points, I would prefer if the 12-month option provided you with more advanced learning and had additional content than that of the 6-month course. However, the prices are competitive when you consider the quality of the course and the sheer amount of knowledge that it puts at your fingertips.
- Not much in the way of cultural learning – While this course provides you will all you need to learn Hebrew there is no real learning about Israeli culture and society. The “language and culture blog” has very little content and does not offer much in the way of up to date news or information.
- The adjust sound feature – This allows you to slow down the speed of the words that you hear, which is useful when trying to hear the nuances of pronunciation. However, when using this feature the sound is played back too slow and the words becomes more dragged than slowed.
- Lots of content – way more than I have a come across in any other self-study online Hebrew course
- Great learning tools such as – Progress tracking tools, the audio tools and voice recognition tools.
- Step by step and intuitive learning process that really does force you to learn the language, but in a fun way!
- PDF download – You have the option to download each lesson’s vocabulary into PDF format, very handing for those occasions when you will not have an internet connection.
- 7- Day free trial – No obligations trial all that is required is your email to register.