FAQ
Go on... hit me with your elevator pitch: what exactly is TINAU?
TINAU stands for "This is not an Ulpan". We are an educational project in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv that combines Hebrew and Arabic learning with Critical Pedagogy. Our fundamental goal is to teach beyond grammar or spelling; it's to acquire the tools necessary to understand and engage with our surroundings in Hebrew or Arabic and positively impact Israeli and Palestinian society.
In our classes, we therefore don't hide from the tough realities. Instead, we actively and critically engage with those realities in Hebrew and Arabic. Language is a priority, but not the only one.
How does language learning work with you guys?
We teach Hebrew or Arabic in the Content and Task Based Learning method, focusing on social justice. That means we mostly rely on the use of authentic language and on asking students to do meaningful tasks. We believe that every student is a teacher and every teacher is a student, so classes are built to create an open, informal and collective learning experience- we sit in circles, discuss, move, read, speak in Hebrew or Arabic.
We teach you everything you need to know: how to speak, how to read and write and how to handle the grammar* - but we use other ways to do that than solely relying on traditional, frontal teaching methods. In our classes, we add cooking, games or movement to the schedule. Each class is designed to make you engage with the language as much as possible so that you can build the confidence in the classroom to take your Hebrew or Arabic out of the classroom!
*some of our courses focus on conversation only- make sure to check the course description
Who can attend TINAU?
Literally anyone and everyone who is interested in learning in a language. Are you a new immigrant? Visitor? Student? Asylum Seeker? Everyone is welcome to join our courses in either Jerusalem or Tel Aviv.
How do you calculate the cost of your courses?
We calculate the cost of our courses according to frequency, intensity and course duration, so prices vary depending on these factors. This is Not an Ulpan is a non-profit organisation and we keep our prices as low as possible because we believe that language learning should be accessible for everyone. We do, however, need to cover the costs of our space, supplies, and pay a fair salary to our teachers and organisers. If paying the tuition is an issue for you, please reach out to us and we'll have a conversation.
What is your refund policy?
In our Evening Courses for Hebrew or Arabic, the refund policy is as follows: Up to seven working days before the course begins you can cancel upon paying 100 NIS cancellation fee. If you cancel within seven working days before the course begins till one day before the first lesson, you receive an 80% refund. If you cancel within one day before the first lesson till the second lesson of semester, you get a 40% refund. After the second lesson of the semester, you are not eligible for a refund.
In our Hebrew Intensive Courses the refund policy is as follows. If a student wishes to cancel their participation, they must notify This is Not an Ulpan by email within two weeks of registration and no less than seven working days before the course begins. We do not give refunds if not cancelled within this time frame. A fee of 200 NIS will be charged for any cancellation.
When is the next semester?
Our Hebrew intensive courses in Tel Aviv will begin on the first Sunday of each month. Our Hebrew or Arabic evening courses run each semester- please take a look at course information pages to see when the next one begins.
Please contact us if you need further information on course start dates.
How can I join a class?
Before each semester, students can register online. If you would like to join after the first class, please contact us to make sure there's still room in the class.
Can I join mid-semester?
Yes! Most of our courses aren't linear - if we have spots left, you can jump in at any time, but make sure to get in touch with us before!
How do I know what level I belong in?
Our levels are looser than in a traditional Ulpan and while we are happy to give a recommendation on which class you should join, the final decision is up to you. Some people learn better when they are challenged, others prefer repeating what they've learned before...We believe that you know your own skills, needs and expectations best!
This is a general level guide- if you're unsure about your level, feel free contact us for a level assessment!
BEGINNER
You don't need to know anything- our courses start from scratch! But knowing a few words and being familiar with the alphabet certainly won't hurt!
BEGINNER PLUS
You have basic reading and writing skills, can hold a short conversation (think classic small talk questions), can express yourself in present tense and know the basic vocabulary: numbers, colours, food & drinks, family ...
INTERMEDIATE
You have a basic understanding and ability to express yourself, also in topics that go beyond the classic small talk. You feel like you are lacking vocabulary, but usually find a way to express yourself somehow. You feel comfortable using present tense and know how to use the past tense. Reading might still not come easy to you (yes we know, it's hard!), but you can read longer texts without wanting to throw the book out of the window.
ADVANCED
You have a solid understanding and speaking ability but want to scale up complexity of your reading and writing, develop your vocabulary and your confidence in speaking.
Who are the teachers?
Our teachers are Israelis and Palestinians who are passionate about Hebrew and Arabic learning as a tool for engaging with Israeli - Palestinian politics, society and culture- and trust us, you'll feel this passion and enthusiasm in the classroom! We select our teachers carefully and provide extensive guidance to new teachers to make sure that our high pedagogical standards are met in every class.
How can I volunteer?
If you are interested to join the tzevet (team) contact us directly. In exchange for their help, volunteers are eligible to a discount on our classes. For two hours of volunteering with us in our Jerusalem or Tel Aviv branch, you receive one hour of language course for free. For new volunteers, there's a 20 hour cap over the the course of one evening semester/ Hebrew intensive programme.
Anyone is welcome to volunteer, although we do have a limit on how many volunteers we can take on each semester.