- Reflect on your experiences of (trying to) read and write in your target language.
I have decided not to learn how to read or write while learning Hebrew. Here is why: history, migration patterns, and geopolitical reasons underscore the necessity of English as a spoken (and reading) language through out the State of Israel. First, Israel's recent history upends (purposely) the vastly diverse population and their cultural backgrounds, namely language. Modern Hebrew is a fairly new convention spearheaded by Eliezar be Yehuda upon the termination of the 19th century up until the 1920s. He had a purpose: to blend a smorgasbord of peoples into one coherent and functioning society. Hebrew was the glue by which to mold, and their mindset was the engine to accomplish such a feat. However, since this phenomenon is quite recent, and the fact that Israel from its inception is a receiving country that has received over 120 different nationalities, original languages amongst the immigrants have not been wholly defeated. As new immigrants are learning Hebrew, English serves as a medium by which to communicate for the time being. Lastly, the geopolitics Israel espouses as well as the region dictates play an important role for the flourishing of English in the land. Hebrew and Arabic are the state's official languages, and English is an unofficial language. All three languages are posted on most highway and street signs as well as on those of stores. Moreover, all children are required to learn English in all public schools, and the majority of institutions in Israel are public. Therefore, I have decided not to learn how to read or write, but just to lean to speak Hebrew.
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