Yiddish Language

About

Embark on a journey to learn a 1000-year-old language with a rich cultural heritage
in Vilnius, the fabled “Jerusalem of North!”

You will meet and learn from world-names in Yiddish education: professors Dov-Ber Kerler (USA) and Anna Verschik (Estonia), Dr. Yuri Vedenyapin (Poland). Apart from directly learning Yiddish, You will get tons of additional and fun educational events museum and cultural site tours, film-screenings and Yiddish song–every afternoon! You will be able to enroll, according to the level of your prior knowledge, either in beginner, intermediate or advanced courses:

BEGINNER COURSE
Designed for both those who have heard Yiddish at home and those completely new to the language. We’ll start with the alphabet, verb conjugation, and sentence construction, building your vocabulary through stories and songs. Explore the fascinating cultural and historical context of Yiddish and discover your own personal connection to the language. No prior knowledge required, but familiarity with the
Hebrew alphabet is helpful. Target Audience: Individuals who have heard Yiddish spoken but don’t speak it themselves; complete beginners with no prior exposure to the language.
Course content:
• Introduction to the Yiddish alphabet and pronunciation.
• Basic grammar: verb conjugation, sentence structure.
• Building vocabulary through stories, songs, and cultural exploration.
• Discovering personal connections to the Yiddish language and heritage.
Prerequisites: No prior knowledge required, but familiarity with the Hebrew alphabet is helpful.

INTERMEDIATE COURSE
Enhance your existing Yiddish skills through engaging lessons on everyday topics, literature and philosophy. Deepen your understanding of grammar through written texts and expand your vocabulary. Practice speaking, writing, and even singing in Yiddish through interactive activities. Target Audience: individuals with some basic Yiddish language skills.
Course content:
• Expanding vocabulary and grammar through a variety of topics: everyday
conversations, literature, philosophy.
• Working with written texts to deepen understanding of grammar and syntax.
• Interactive speaking, writing, and singing activities for practice and fluency.
Prerequisites: basic Yiddish language skills (equivalent to completion of the beginner course).

ADVANCED COURSE:
For Yiddish language users who understand complex texts and language in a variety of contexts, from everyday communication to literary and academic debates; who can express themselves fluently, correctly and with nuance in oral and written expression, with appropriate use of style, idiom and cultural context. He also has a good knowledge of the history of the Yiddish language and of Jewish cultural features.
Course content:
• analysis of literary and journalistic texts;
• creative and analytical work, active participation in debates;
• interactive speaking, writing and singing activities to practice and improve fluency.
Prerequisites: advanced Yiddish language skills (equivalent to completion of an advanced course).
_____________________________
Detailed program as well as other relevant information will be sent to you after
confirming your application form

Course leader

Dov-Ber Kerler

Target group

The target group for the Yiddish language course includes heritage learners seeking to reconnect with their cultural roots, students and researchers interested in Jewish history and linguistics, as well as language enthusiasts who wish to explore a unique and historically rich language. The course also welcomes artists, performers, and members of the general public who are curious about Yiddish culture, literature, and traditions, regardless of their prior knowledge or background

Course aim

The aim of the Yiddish language course is to provide students with fundamental language skills that enable them to understand, speak, read, and write in Yiddish, while also gaining a deeper appreciation of the rich culture and history of Eastern European Jewry. The course seeks to develop not only practical linguistic abilities but also an understanding of Yiddish literature, music, folklore, and the role of the language in Jewish identity. It also encourages interest in the preservation and continued vitality of Yiddish in the modern world

Fee info