Testimonials

"Attending classes with Barbara Ridberg opened doors and windows to the structure of the language and to the importance and value of learning shorashim (Hebrew root letters). Small group classes provide interesting and appropriate materials with which to learn and extend Hebrew language skills. My reading fluency improved, my ability to write sentences and stories in Hebrew expanded, and my ability to decode prayer-service Hebrew using verb roots increased my comfort and participation. Barbara is an excellent teacher who knows and loves the Hebrew language and skillfully invites her students to build their skills in a positive, supportive, learning environment in which the individual is valued and encouraged."

F.L., Potomac, MD

"I like that the class is a mix of reading, writing, grammar, but especially speaking. Everyone has an opportunity to speak, with preparation or just off the cuff. You get to ask and answer questions about the presentations. The chance to speak and hear others cannot be experienced studying on your own. Not following a text is good also. In addition to the language itself, the material chosen gives a lot of information about Jewish culture, politics and other areas of interest."

A.R., Rockville, MD

"Barbara Ridberg (dba Adult Hebrew Language Institute) is an accomplished educator with a scholar's appreciation of the Hebrew language. Shortly after retiring from my law practice eight years ago, I began studying Hebrew with Barbara on a twice-a-week schedule. With little ability to speak or understand spoken Hebrew, my objective, quite simply, was to become reasonably fluent in Hebrew. Barbara and I have diligently maintained that schedule for these eight years, which speaks both to my great satisfaction with her pedagogical skills and to the depth of our relationship. Barbara is, simply put, a wonderful teacher. She is consistently supportive while carefully calibrating the level of challenge appropriate for me. She is a linguist, able to convey an understanding of the structure of Hebrew rather than relying on rote learning. Barbara is far more patient with me than I am with myself, gently correcting my "first-grader" mistakes without a trace of exasperation. I am now able to carry on a sensible conversation in Hebrew, albeit at a beginner's pace. It is such a surprising delight for me to find myself listening and responding to her (and others!) in Hebrew. Yes, I have a considerable way to go to reach my goal, but with Barbara's help I am beginning to believe that the lengthier part of that road is behind me."

M.L., Chevy Chase, MD

"Learning Hebrew with Barbara is one of the highlights of my week. She meets the needs of all her students, no matter their skill level. Her patient, systematic approach to teaching Hebrew yields results!"

B.B., Bethesda, MD

"Mrs. Barbara Ridberg is a co-author of the Yesh Lanu Llama series of children's Hebrew readers. I am fortunate to have taken the following two courses, Biblical and Conversational Hebrew. Barbara is a dedicated and outstanding teacher. She is very knowledgeable about every aspect of the Hebrew culture, traditions, customs, and language. Barbara's teaching method is very positive and encouraging."

E.G., Rockville, MD

"I'm a semi-retired senior and I've taken monthly private lessons from Barbara for the past 5 years. After evaluating my existing Hebrew skills (then limited to davening and rudimentary conversation), Barbara started me on a personalized plan to reach my initial goal of achieving passable Hebrew conversational and writing abilities. Over time, she's made multiple adjustments to that plan, adopting learning strategies consistent with my idiosyncrasies and changing needs - I elevated my goal to developing a reasonably functional facility with Hebrew. I've been able to make significant progress and now can have substantive Hebrew conversations with an Israeli friend. Most importantly, studying Hebrew with Barbara has been a source of great personal enjoyment and accomplishment. She is a superb teacher (no hyperbole!) who takes the time to understand a student's needs, modifies plans as needs change, and continuously provides individual solutions with nurturing encouragement."

B.B., Bethesda, MD

"Barbara Ridberg has been my excellent Hebrew teacher with a wealth of Hebrew experience for the past three years. I have had numerous previous teachers but she is the best. Barbara has a very extensive knowledge of the Hebrew language and is a very intelligent, warm nurturing Hebrew educator who provides students with a positive can-do environment in which we gain knowledge, confidence and motivation to develop Hebrew skills. She imparts information, positive judgement and well-developed wisdom of Hebrew grammar, syntax, comprehension, reading, writing and conversation. The educational material is interesting, challenging and stimulating. I would highly recommend Barbara from a beginning to an advanced Hebrew teacher."

D.L., Potomac, MD

"Barbara finds reading materials that are substantively interesting, contain vocabulary that are both useful and skill appropriate, and welcomes student feedback and interests. Barbara engages with each member of the class with sensitivity to the skill level of each student and encourages the student to stretch to the next step. Members of the class are made to feel comfortable irrespective of their level and enjoy the class interaction. The result is that each student progresses at a pace that shows noticeable results."

G.J., Chevy Chase, MD