Beginner I Yiddish (Tuesday)
Tuition: $480 | YIVO members: $375**
Students: $240 (Must register with valid university email address)
This is a live, online course held weekly on Zoom. Enrollment will be capped at about 15 students. All course details (Zoom link, syllabus, handouts, assignments, etc.) will be posted to Canvas. Students will be granted access to the class on Canvas after registering for the class here on the YIVO website. This class will be conducted in Yiddish and English.
Instructor: Lucas Fiszman
Who should take this course?
This course is appropriate for those who are new to Yiddish or would like a review.
What topics will this class cover?
The objective of this course is to develop basic Yiddish skills. As part of that objective, students are expected to become familiar with the written and oral forms of Yiddish, both interpretive and productive. It is expected that by the end of the course they will be able to understand and express themselves in simple sentences about their daily activities and to introduce people or objects. The goal is also for students to acquire the skills to use different resources online and in print. We will follow the topics in the textbook and supplement it with other reading materials and songs.
Is knowledge of the Yiddish alphabet required?
No, knowledge of the Yiddish alphabet is not required. However, students who have no prior experience with reading and writing the Yiddish or Hebrew alphabets are highly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Yiddish alphabet before class, as the course will move at a fast pace. The tools and videos provided here will be helpful in getting a handle on reading and writing the alefbeys, and are designed for independent use.
Course Materials:
This course will use the following textbook:
- Yiddish: An Introduction to the Language, Literature & Culture, Volume I by Sheva Zucker (Purchase)
The instructor will provide all other course materials digitally throughout the class on Canvas.
Lucas Fiszman holds a degree in Linguistics from the Universidad de Buenos Aires, where he has been faculty since 2008. He learned Yiddish at the Fundación IWO, in Tel Aviv’s and Strasbourg’s programs, at YIVO, and at Arbeter Ring. He also teaches Yiddish in Buenos Aires at Fundación IWO, ICUF (YKUF), and in Montevideo (Uruguay).
His research focuses on language contact and history of Yiddish teaching in Buenos Aires. He has presented his work in conferences and symposiums, both in Argentina as well as abroad. His work has been published in local and foreign academic journals, as well as in several edited volumes.
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