Tal Am CAL
Tal Am, a Hebrew language program utilized by three hundred and fifty-five schools worldwide, is a unique curriculum of Hebrew Language Arts geared to students in elementary school. Based on years of research on the principles of language development and learning patterns, the use of Tal Am is helping to create a generation of Jewish children around the world who are literate in the Hebrew language and equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to live vibrant Jewish lives.
The structure of Tal Am is based on the notion that the best learning environment for children is acquired through a variety of activities. In addition to studying from textbooks, students use music, games and visual aids to learn the Hebrew language and to develop a keen understanding of various Jewish concepts.
Based on the significant educational gains of CIJE supported schools utilizing the SuccessMaker and Waterford computer assisted learning programs, CIJE asked the Tal Am staff to develop a program and management package similar to the Pearson programs that would supplement the Tal Am program.
The Tal Am curriculum is a multi-faceted approach:
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Quality classroom instruction- All instructors are required attend rigorous professional development seminars conducted by the highly qualified staff of Tal Am, under its director Tova Shimon.
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Students are provided with readers, workbooks and various other audio-visual materials. Students are provided with charts of relevant linguistic patterns related to the activities on which they are working. Students, even at a very young age, are trained to edit and monitor their acquired language, writing, and reading. They are encouraged to compare their responses with those of other students, or to utilize charts to check their accuracy.
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Supportive environment for language acquisition- The creation of a positive learning environment is fostered in a number of ways. Each class is provided with beautifully illustrated books, attractive interactive wall posters and audio discs. Instruction takes place in a variety of modalities including team teaching and cooperative learning.
The Tal Am CAL (computer assisted learning) program is being designed to supplement and complement the existing Tal Am program. Research has shown that the use of Computer Assisted Instruction as a supplement to traditional, teacher-directed instruction produces student achievement superior to student achievement attained by traditional instruction alone. While both traditional and computer-based instructions have valuable roles in supporting instruction, they are of greatest value when complementing one another. As well as enabling students to achieve at higher levels, researchers have also found that Computer Assisted Instruction enhances learning rate. Students retain information better. Computer Assisted Instruction allows for individualization. Much research has indicated that computer assisted instruction is very effective in teaching foreign languages.
To date, there is no digital courseware aligned and spiraled with the curricula available to Jewish Day School students and teachers. Hebrew language education must be part of the educational technology revolution. Although schools that use Tal Am have experienced a marked improvement in the quality of their Hebrew language, they have not yet benefited from the technology available to them. Schools that have the Tal Am curriculum and materials are eagerly awaiting the unique and enriching learning opportunities that Tal Am CAL can provide.
Based on the vast amount of positive research, CIJE anticipates supporting the creation of Tal Am CAL. The initial implementation for Grade one is being planned for September, 2008 and will be piloted in several schools, based on the recommendation of the Tal Am staff. Tal Am CAL will implement the advantages of digital learning, push forward Hebrew language education, and reenergize the learning experience of Jewish children around the world.