With its origins dating back to Biblical times, Hebrew is one of the oldest languages that is still spoken today. If you’d like to learn this language yourself, you should consider doing so through an online tutor—this allows you to receive valuable feedback from an expert without the inconvenience of commuting to in-person classes.
In this guide, we’ve reviewed the best online Hebrew tutoring services that are available today. Whether you want to learn Hebrew for travel, immigration, academic research, religious purposes or any other reason, we’ll help you find the perfect solution for your specific needs.
How to Pick an Online Hebrew Tutoring Service
As mentioned above, there are many different reasons why you may want to learn Hebrew, and this is certainly something that you should consider when deciding on which online tutoring service you will use.
Learning a new language for travel
You don’t need to become completely fluent in Hebrew if you’re only looking to learn the language to help with short-term travel plans. In that case, you could save money by selecting an affordable provider that doesn’t offer much live instruction, such as HebrewPod101 or LinguaLift—after some basic memorization exercises, you should be able to set up hotel accommodations, order a meal at a restaurant and more.
Learning Hebrew for work
On the other hand, those who must learn the language for work will need to develop a much more advanced understanding of Hebrew than someone who is just planning to visit Tel Aviv for a couple of weeks. Without knowing the nuances of the language, you might make a mistake (e.g. placing a large order for the wrong product or accidentally offending a client) that ends up costing you your job. We found that Transparent Language is the best service for becoming fluent in Hebrew.
Help with studying Hebrew for school
Some tutors specialize in teaching Hebrew to school-aged children. You can use the filter tools on the Italki or Preply freelance marketplaces to find an instructor who offers this specialty.
Help with studying Hebrew for a bar or Bat Mitzvah
Another common reason for learning Hebrew is to prepare for a bar or Bat Mitzvah, which often involve a public reading from a Torah scroll. Freelance marketplaces are also a good option for this type of lesson as they allow you to search through many different instructors in order to find exactly what you need.
How We Picked the Best Online Hebrew Tutoring Services
To determine which providers most deserved to be included in this guide, we started by compiling a list of the most popular online Hebrew tutoring services. We then narrowed down this initial list of dozens of options by focusing on the providers that had the best customer reviews and recommendations. Finally, we narrowed down our list even further by looking for the most attractive features (particularly low pricing, advanced learning tools, etc.) and testing out the user experience of each platform ourselves.
The 7 Best Online Hebrew Language Tutors
From highly structured Hebrew courses to freelance marketplaces that allow you to choose your own tutor, we made sure to feature options that make sense for a variety of different learning styles and user preferences in our list below.
HebrewPod101
This provider offers study tools such as vocabulary slideshows, an audio dictionary, flashcards and quizzes to help you learn Hebrew. With HebrewPod101’s Premium+ plan, you’ll also get one-on-one access to your own Hebrew teacher who will create a personalized learning program based on your strengths, weaknesses and reasons for wanting to learn Hebrew.
One drawback, though, is that HebrewPod101 isn’t as interactive as most of your other online tutoring options. You can communicate with your teacher through text and audio messages — but unlike platforms such as Italki and Preply, there’s no option for live video chat sessions.
| Price | Basic: $8 per month
Premium: $25 per month Premium+: $47 per month |
| Free Trial | 7-day free trial |
| Device | Desktop, mobile device |
| Format | On-demand exercises, audio lessons, expert feedback |
| Certificate of Completion | Yes |
| Knowledge Level | Beginner to intermediate |
Learn more about HebrewPod101.
Ulpan la-inyan
Since the company was founded in 2008, Ulpan la-inyan has taught over 4,000 students how to speak Hebrew. Their team includes 130 teachers, and both on-demand private lessons and structured group courses are available.
This provider will help you learn the language quite quickly. They focus on a short list of vocabulary words that covers 90% of communication, and their lessons are presented in terms of real-life scenarios. Considering how their courses are designed, this provider is an especially good option for those who are learning Hebrew for travel.
Those who are on a tight budget should consider more affordable options, such as LinguaLift. With their rates starting at 175 ISL for each private lesson (as of this writing, that amount is equivalent to roughly $51 USD) and 1,940 ISL for group courses ($568), Ulpan la-inyan is one of the pricier options featured in this guide.
| Price | Private lessons: Start at 175 ISL per hour
Group courses: Start at 1,940 ISL per program |
| Free Trial | No free trial available |
| Device | Desktop, mobile device |
| Format | Video chat |
| Certificate of Completion | Yes |
| Knowledge Level | Beginner to advanced |
Learn more about Ulpan la-inyan.
LinguaLift
LinguaLift is a lot like HebrewPod101. They’ll design a custom learning plan according to your needs and tutors are available to answer your questions, but they don’t offer video chat sessions.
This is a great choice if you’re still not quite sure that you want to commit all the time and money it takes to learn a new language. LinguaLift offers a free language guide that can get you started with tips and tricks for learning Hebrew at absolutely no cost. Also, if you do subscribe to one of their plans, you’ll be able to get all your money back if you change your mind within 30 days.
| Price | One-month subscription: $19.99
Three-month subscription: $50.97 ($16.99 per month) Six-month subscription: $89.94 ($14.99 per month) 12-month subscription: $155.88 ($12.99 per month) |
| Free Trial | Free trial lesson |
| Device | Desktop, mobile device |
| Format | On-demand exercises, expert feedback |
| Certificate of Completion | As of publication, LinguaLift has not responded to our inquiry as to whether they provide certificates of completion. |
| Knowledge Level | Beginner to intermediate |
Transparent Language
The standard version of Transparent Language offers a variety of resources for learning Hebrew including custom learning paths, skill-based activities and progress tracking (their education technology is truly top-of-the-line, earning a 4.0 out of 5 “Excellent” rating from PC Mag). As for live tutoring, this platform provides two add-on options: “Transparent Connect Tutoring” and “Transparent Connect Capstone.”
With Transparent Connect Tutoring, you’ll first meet with your instructor for a free 15-minute skills assessment, and you’ll then be able to schedule 30-minute personalized tutoring sessions. Transparent Connect Capstone is a more formal course—this 12-week program includes three hours of asynchronous lessons for every hour of live tutoring for a total of 48 hours of instruction. Transparent Language provides all the tools you need to reach an advanced understanding of the Hebrew language making it an excellent option if you need to learn Hebrew for work.
| Price | Standard, one language: $24.95 per month or $149.95 per year
Standard, all languages: $49.95 per month or $249.95 per year Transparent Connect Tutoring: $79 for two-session package, $299 for eight-session package Transparent Connect Capstone: $1,899 |
| Free Trial | 14-day free trial |
| Device | Desktop, mobile device |
| Format | On-demand exercises, video chat |
| Certificate of Completion | Yes |
| Knowledge Level | Beginner to advanced |
Learn more about Transparent Language.
Italki
Italki is a freelance marketplace that allows you to choose your own tutor. Each instructor profile displays their pricing, availability, customer reviews and other key details; so, you’ll be able to make an informed decision.
Anyone who wants live tutoring at a low cost should strongly consider this option as many of their tutors charge an hourly rate of less than $10. It’s also worth noting that Italki has a particularly strong reputation among both its former and current users. On Trustpilot, they have an average rating of 4.7 out of 5. “I’ve taken 68 Hebrew lessons over almost three years with Italki, and the experience has been excellent,” wrote one student. “I think I only had one problem with a teacher, but Italki resolved the issue quickly.”
| Price | $6 to $80 per hour |
| Free Trial | Discounted rates for first three lessons |
| Device | Desktop, mobile device |
| Format | Video chat |
| Certificate of Completion | No |
| Knowledge Level | Beginner to advanced |
Preply
Similar to Italki, this platform maintains a marketplace of freelance Hebrew tutors. We like their user-friendly interface which makes it especially easy to find a tutor and schedule your lessons.
This is a good option for corporate training—top companies such as Zendesk, Eventbrite and ByteDance have used Preply to teach their employees Hebrew. Another similarity to Italki is that they also have generally positive reviews on Trustpilot (average rating of 4.3 out of 5). “My tutor, Eman, for Hebrew one-on-one lessons is excellent, very knowledgeable and professional,” wrote one student. “She knows exactly how to help me at my level and makes the lessons interesting.”
| Price | $13 to $70 per hour |
| Free Trial | Free trial lesson |
| Device | Desktop, mobile device |
| Format | Video chat |
| Certificate of Completion | Yes |
| Knowledge Level | Beginner to advanced |
Rosetta Stone
Rosetta Stone offers some impressive learning technology. Their app includes a built-in phrasebook and downloadable audio lessons. Plus, with their automated TruAccent feature, you can get real-time feedback on your pronunciation.
In addition to these on-demand lessons and exercises, they also provide both group and private tutoring sessions. With a 4.1 out of 5 average rating on Trustpilot, Rosetta Stone has a solid enough reputation, although there have been some complaints about the quality of their customer service.
| Price | Three months: $35.97 ($11.99 per month)
12 months: $95.88 ($7.99 per month) Lifetime: $179 |
| Free Trial | Free trial available |
| Device | Desktop, mobile app |
| Format | On-demand exercises, audio lessons, video chat |
| Certificate of Completion | Yes |
| Knowledge Level | Beginner to advanced |
Learn more about Rosetta Stone.
Other Hebrew Tutoring Services to Consider
The providers that have been mentioned so far are all dedicated exclusively to language learning, but there are other providers that offer a broader set of services that you should consider checking out as well. For example, Microsoft’s TakeLessons platform can connect you to some of the most experienced and skilled Hebrew tutors available anywhere online—but with an average rate of $69 per lesson, it may be outside your price range.
What to Expect When Using an Online Hebrew Tutoring Service
Your experience with an online Hebrew tutoring service will depend on which provider you select. For example, services such as HebrewPod101 and LinguaLift involve minimal interaction with a live instructor—you’ll work through exercises on your own and only communicate with your tutor via text or voice message whenever you have questions or need feedback (these tend to be the most affordable options). Conversely, there are also services like Italki and Preply that are entirely based on live video chat sessions with your instructor.
What you need to learn Hebrew when using an online tutor
It doesn’t take much equipment to take Hebrew classes online. You’ll likely have everything that’s required already as all you really need is a high-speed internet connection and a reliable computer.
In addition to having the adequate technology, we recommend that you turn one of the quietest rooms of your home into a dedicated study area. This will help you avoid distractions, stay focused on your lessons, and get as much value as possible from the cost of Hebrew tutoring.
Also, you should make sure that you can make the time commitment that is necessary to pick up a new language. Even with a good tutor, you’ll probably need to dedicate at least an hour per week (if not two or three) to learning Hebrew in order to make any significant progress. If that’s not possible for you right now, consider putting this goal on hold until you’re able to free up your schedule.
Free vs. Paid Online Hebrew Tutors: What’s the Difference?
There are free materials available online for learning Hebrew (interactive dictionaries, on-demand videos and exercises, etc.), but you can only go so far with self-study. To advance beyond basic vocabulary and actually become fluent in this language, you will most likely need the help of an expert tutor who knows how to identify and correct any mistakes you may be making. Indeed, this is a service that few instructors are willing to do for free—if you want to really learn Hebrew, expect it to cost you some money.
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