Promotion of Early Childhood Language Skills in the Ultra-Orthodox Community

In recent years, ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) society has become increasingly aware of the need to professionalize education, particularly in early childhood. In 2011, JDC-Ashalim, the Ministry of Education and the nonprofit organization Achiya introduced a pilot to advance language skills in ultra-Orthodox preschools for boys (Talmud Torah) in Bene Beraq and Beitar Illit. The goal was to provide the melamdim (male teachers in these preschools) with tools to enhance the children’s language skills and to respond to the main challenges in early childhood education in the ultra-Orthodox community, among them:

  • A shortage of ultra-Orthodox men with formal training and skills in the area of childhood development and early childhood language skills and literacy
  • Traditional teaching practices, particularly the concomitant utilization of Hebrew and Yiddish,  which make language learning a challenge
  •  A lack of literature appropriate for the children’s language level and for ultra-Orthodox language and culture, and a lack of appropriate didactic and creative games.

The program was implemented for 3 years in 51 classes at 17 Talmud Torah preschools. The participants received lectures as well as supervision and guidance in the classroom. The program also included the development of culturally sensitive books and games as well as training for the melamdim in how to use them as a means to develop language among children.

In this report, we present the findings of an evaluation study of the program. The findings are based on questionnaires, interviews, and observations in the preschools (based on a structured instrument to assess language environment), which were adapted to the ultra-Orthodox preschool environment. They reveal that the melamdim had indeed adopted new strategies for imparting language skills and were incorporating them into the standard practices at Talmud Torah. The melamdim reported a high level of satisfaction with the training. In addition, this is the first study to document the current work practices of the melamdim in detail.

The study findings were used to enhance the program while the pilot was in progress. Moreover, the study indicates strategies for developing similar programs in the field of education in the ultra-Orthodox community. Following the pilot and study findings, the Ministry of Education and JDC-Ashalim have developed a system-wide program to promote early childhood development, which will be implemented in 7 ultra-Orthodox localities in Israel.

The study was commissioned by JDC-Ashalim and funded with its assistance.

Citing suggestion: Rotem, R., & Ben Rabi, D. (2014). Promotion of Early Childhood Language Skills in the Ultra-Orthodox Community. RR-683-14. Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute. (Hebrew)