Shalom,
Yalla: Learning Hebrew with Steph is a podcast made by an intermediate Hebrew learner, for intermediate Hebrew learners. I created Yalla to bridge the gap in resources for those of us beyond the basics, sharing my love for the language along with helpful tips, insights, and resources I discover along the way. If you’re on a journey to deepen your Hebrew skills, let’s explore it together!
Until then – take care and keep learning!
Latest Episodes
Dive in and level up your Hebrew, one episode at a time.
Eliezer Ben-Yehuda and the Revival of the Hebrew Language
Ever wonder how a language that wasn't spoken for 2,000 years became the daily language for 9 million people today? In this episode of Yalla: Learning Hebrew with Steph, we dive into the fascinating story of Eliezer Ben-Yehuda, the man who planted the seeds for the revival of Modern Hebrew.
▶ Listen Now
Israel Start-Up Nation and AI
In this episode, we explore how Israel became known as the "Start-Up Nation" and how artificial intelligence is reshaping the world. Along the way, we unpack the Hebrew (and borrowed-from-English) vocabulary of tech, the army units behind Israel's startups, famous "exits" like Waze and Wiz, and the real pros and cons of AI.
▶ Listen Now
Hebrew Idioms and Expressions
Why do Hebrew and English share some idioms exactly, while others use a completely different image for the same idea? In this episode I compare nine Hebrew idioms with their English cousins, from "to walk on eggs" and "to break your head" to "light at the end of the tunnel", and explain why learning idioms means letting go of word-for-word translation.
▶ Listen Now
Eilat
In this episode, I take you to Eilat, my favourite city in Israel and the place where my husband Alon grew up. From snorkelling in the Red Sea and trips into the desert, to Timna Park, tax-free shopping, and the views across to Jordan and Egypt, I share why this southern city feels like a second home.
▶ Listen Now
My Top Hebrew Learning Resources
In this episode, I share the resources and methods I personally use to practice all four skills in Hebrew - listening, reading, speaking, and writing. From YouTube channels and podcasts to newspapers and creative uses of ChatGPT, I break down what works for me at each stage. Whether you're a beginner looking for direction or an advanced learner struggling to find good materials, this episode is full of practical recommendations you can start using today.
▶ Listen Now
Hebrew Slang
In this episode, I dive into the world of Hebrew slang. I explore how Arabic and Yiddish have influenced modern Hebrew, explain the varied uses of common slang like "Yalla" and "Balagan," and clarify those tricky phrases where the literal translation differs from colloquial meaning, such as "Al ha'panim" and "Sof ha'derech."
▶ Listen NowNever miss an episode.
Join our community to get notified of new releases, behind-the-scenes updates, and everything in between.