Izzy here. Have you ever felt like you hit a plateau when you were learning a new skill or language? Maybe your Hebrew studies have hit a wall? Noel Van Vliet, the guru of smartlanguagelearner.com, recently wrote an article for you. Read the whole thing here, or if you're too busy, at least read these takeaways to get you thinking:
"All you seem to do is maintain what you already learned. Sometimes it actually feels like you’re going backward! It’s like you’ve arrived at a stage you can’t break out of. Welcome to the dreaded language-learning plateau.
"In language learning — and probably in any learning — the learning curve over time isn’t linear. You spend less and less time on new things.
"You have good and bad days. And they color your perception of progress. Do not ever judge your progress based on a single day!
"If you’ve noticed lately that you’re not feeling as challenged as before, then it’s time to look for new challenges.
"The trick is to learn grammar bit-by-bit and only when you need it.
"That course you bought you thought was the complete solution? Well, now you know: It’s only the start! To bridge this gap, the trick is to slowly change the more traditional learning materials and methods for learning more through native sources.
"Nothing motivates more than seeing progress."
Amy's Story
Amy is following Yeshua in a Hebrew way! Here's her story.
To tell my "messianic" story, I'll begin with some basic information. I’m 51 years old, Chinese, and living in Hong Kong. I have two grown up daughters studying in UK universities. I’ve worked in IT for 15 years before turning full time mom and part time freelance translator.
I grew up under the cross literally, because our window view was a 6 story high red-cross on the wall of a Catholic primary school across the street. Finally I was baptized at 40 together with my husband and 2 young daughters at a non-denominational church, which I stopped going to for some reasons. Then God immediately put me in to a BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) class in 2009.
I was wandering in the wilderness for some years as a lukewarm Christian with little devotion or prayers and way too many questions about God and the Bible and the world, until God took me to some journeys on my own. After taking my daughters to settle down in their schools in the UK, I travelled around remote places in Scotland (Skye, Stornoway etc) a few times. In solitude and helpless situations I realized God was so close and personal, like in Psalm 139. And slowly I saw His greatness and my nothingness. He answers my questions one by one, so I have learned to listen for His quiet, small voice.
In 2013, under some weird circumstances (or in God's meticulous plan) I made a trip alone to Israel for 9 days, with air tickets bought for a tour that would not take me in. So I had to search online and paid fully half a year in advance for a local Israeli tour that fit the dates of my tickets.
It was like a leap of faith for me (and my family) because everyone thought (and still thinks, especially these days) Israel was a dangerous place. I ended up wandering alone in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem for 3 days and being guided around in a small Christian tour group (mostly Catholics) for 6 days. At the end of the journey I felt like I had stayed in Israel for a year. Here is a photo taken in Capernaum of Peter the Fisher and me (see the fish in front of
Peter’s right foot and the key in his hand).
Coming home I started learning Hebrew and came across "messianic" teachings on the web. I was shocked by many new findings and the depth of the meaning of Hebrew letters, verses and scriptures. HalleluYah! I was led to the Holy Language Institute soon after I started my "Hebrew quest", even though there were many other Hebrew related websites.
I thank God for bringing me to learn His holy language. In tourist attractions in Israel I noticed that the Hebrew explanation was always the shortest in any display in multiple languages. I thought Hebrew must be so smart and concise. It is only when I started digging into the holy language that I realize how much I would lose if I only read God's Word in translations in this life.
Because there is no messianic congregation in Hong Kong that I know of, I am attending a traditional Baptist Church on Sunday for worship only. Fellowship is mainly through serving in BSF and online communities.
I trust that Yeshua HaMashiach will lead me to where I belong, because "if I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me." (Psalm 139: 9-10) Amen!
Did you appreciate this story? If so, please say thank you by sharing yours. Here's how.
new lessons
Hebrew Prayer with Yisrael Levitt this Sunday evening, watch here!
Modern Hebrew with Elihana Elia this Monday evening, watch here!
Biblical Hebrew with Rabbi Derek Leman this Thursday evening, watch here!
Live Shabbat services this Friday evening and Saturday morning, join us here!
Listen to Katy Raczkowski's most recent interview on the Devora Clark show here.
Make your own Hebrew meme here or here and send it to meme@holylanguage.com and we'll share yours too.
Shavua tov - have a good week!
Izzy Avraham
Executive Director
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