Meyer Lifschultz Yiddish Language Class at PSC
The Required text: can be ordered online from: Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble for $23.49 plus
shipping. The text is Marvin Zuckerman's "Learning Yiddish in Easy Stages." It can be
purchased on line from: Amazon; The Yiddish Book Center book store; Barnes and Noble. Depending on the
vendor the cost is between $23 to $25 plus shipping.
The objectives of this course are:
1. To have the students learn to speak and understand Yiddish
2. To have the students learn to read, write, and use basic Yiddish grammar
To accomplish this, the goals of the lessons will be:
1. To learn to read in Yiddish:
a.
In print
b.
c.
1.
In script
In transliteration
To write in Yiddish script
2. To use basic sentences and expressions in conversational material
Lesson I – I/25/2015
Discuss the objectives of the course and the goals of the lessons with the students.
Oral exercises
1. Welcome and introductions – examples.
a. Mayn nomem iz
b.
c.
d.
e.
Ich kum fun
Ich arbet in/ ich arbet nit
Ich voin
Ich hob ____ kinder
Discuss the differences between Yiddish dialects to recognize that all Yiddish dialects are mutually intelligible
and acceptable. Note the differences between the dialects in the sound of the vowels (P. 19).
Reading and writing exercises (P. 21 – 26)
1. Pronounce and read the aleph bet
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Note the direction of writing the letters in script
Discuss the final form of some letters - ‘langer’
Learn to sing the aleph bet song to the tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”
Practice reading and writing the aleph bet (p. 22 -23)
Discuss the variations of script (p. 24, 25)
Discuss the transliteration guide and pronunciation of vowels (p. 26)
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Meyer Lifschultz Yiddish Language Class at PSC
Lesson 2 – 2/1/2015
Review the reading, writing and singing of the aleph bet
Oral Exercises - p. 29 – 30
Typical greetings and replies
Typical partings and replies
Politeness
Pronounce and read P. 31 -36 - then
Memorize and make up sentences with: (p. 31-36)
Words to ask Questions With
Parts of the Body
Words to Say How Many
Days of the Week
The Months
The Seasons
Be able to read and write:
Your name
The words to ask questions with
Sing Tumbalalayke P. 158
Tell a Yiddish joke
Read a very short Yiddish story in transliteration.
Homework: Memorize the aleph bet song; practice writing the aleph bet 3 to 5 times; write sentences with
question words to be used in the next class.
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Meyer Lifschultz Yiddish Language Class at PSC
Lesson 3- 2/8/15
Review:
The aleph bet in song and in writing.
The vocabulary from lesson 2
Oral exercises
Translate the question sentences into Yiddish
Pronounce and read: P. 36-42
Days of our lives
Telling Time
Mealtimes
The Whole Family
Colors
Points of the Compass
Numbers
Write some of the vocabulary words in Yiddish script
Introduce personal pronouns
Introduce conjugation of verbs to have, to be, to go – present tense
Read P. 43 together.
Sing Tumbalalayke
Tell a joke, a short story
Homework: Practice writing the aleph bet – singing, writing two times.
Be able to count out loud up to 100. Tell us about your family (3-5 sentences)
Lesson 4 - 2/22/2015
Review:
Aleph bet; vocabulary from lessons 2 and 3.
Discuss the homework assignment about the family and translate into Yiddish.
Oral Exercise:
Read P. 45 to 50 together including all footnotes.
Break into small groups for the conversation on P. 49
Discuss the proverbs
Discuss the concept of cognates
Write:
Vocabulary P. 47;
Exercises P. 47
Conjugations of the verbs to have, to be, to go
Sing Bulbes – p. 156
Tell a short story or read one in transliteration
Tell a joke
Play a game with Yiddish magnets.
Homework: Make up 3 sentences using the vocabulary from Parts of the Body
Make up 3 sentences using words to say “How Many”
Memorize the days of the week, the months and the seasons
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Meyer Lifschultz Yiddish Language Class at PSC
Lesson 5
- 3/1/15
Review:
Numbers; days of the week, months, seasons; words to ask questions with.
Parts of the body; words to say ‘how many;’ days of our lives; the whole family;
Mealtimes, colors.
Vocabulary p. 47, cognates, p. 50
New vocabulary:
Points of the compass p. 40
Telling time p. 37
Numbers from one hundred to one million p. 42
Articles – masculine, feminine, neuter
P. 52
Oral exercises
Read the new vocabularies
Read and discuss Yiddish Word Order, P. 53
Conversation P. 55-56
Cognates P. 56
Writing exercises:
Transcribe into script and translate into English p. 54
Write the Yiddish word for the English words p. 54
Sing Bulbes
Tell a Yiddish joke, short story
Play a Yiddish magnet game
Homework: Finish the writing exercises on P. 54. Review the vocabulary up to P. 52 to be able to write
individual words in class. Read ahead: Vocabulary P. 60-65
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Meyer Lifschultz Yiddish Language Class at PSC
Lesson 6 – 3/8/15
Review: vocabulary p.52; Yiddish word order p.53; exercises p. 54
Practice writing letters of aleph bet on P.51
Oral exercises:
Pronounce the new vocabulary P. 60-61
Conversation P. 64-65
Cognates P. 65
Read and write the exercises P.63
Write the aleph bet on P. 59.
Discuss Rules for:
The silent alef
The indefinite article
Pronunciation of final ‘n’ in Yiddish
Homework: Review each lesson’s vocabulary. Write a short story (one page) using as many words, sentences,
parts of conversations. Include family, colors, numbers, body parts, etc. as you can in English first and then in
Yiddish script.
Sing Afn Pripetshik p. 160
Read the stories you have written
Tell a Yiddish joke
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