Yiddish Pedagogy Practicum: FAQ

When is the application due?
Applications are due April 24, 2023.

When will I hear back?
Admissions decisions will be announced via email in May.

Do I need to have an advanced degree?
No. We accept applicants of all backgrounds and professional profiles. If you meet the eligibility requirements and have interest in Yiddish language pedagogy, we encourage you to apply.

I have previously participated in the Yiddish Book Center’s Yiddish Pedagogy Fellowship. Am I still eligible to apply?
Yes! We strongly encourage past participants to apply to the Practicum. The Practicum and Fellowships are both steps towards completing Yiddish Pedagogy Certification.

Can I apply if I haven't completed the Yiddish Pedagogy Fellowship?
Yes. The Practicum is designed for participants who already have a basic familiarity with Second Language Acquisition principles and their application to the classroom. Applicants should have a working knowledge of such concepts as comprehensible input, proficiency levels, focus on form, and corrective feedback. If you have questions about your eligibility or are interested in reading resources that may help prepare you for the program, please email us. 

What are the dates for the online workshops?
Online workshops will be held the second week of each month beginning in August 2023 and ending in May 2024. Each workshop will be about two hours long plus a short break, scheduled sometime in the work week (Monday-Friday, 9-5pm Eastern Time). Exact dates and times will be confirmed once the cohort is selected.

I’m interested in the program, but I cannot commit to teaching for the Center. Should I still apply?  
Yes! You can apply if you are teaching a year-long beginning Yiddish course at a different institution (however you will not qualify for a teaching stipend).

If I’m applying to teach an online course at the Center, what is the schedule for the courses?
Dates and times will be finalized at the start of the program. Instructors should be available to teach two 1.5-hour classes each week for twelve weeks in the fall and twelve weeks in the spring. To learn more about these courses, visit our In eynem online course information page.

Approximate date ranges for each course: 

Fall semester:  
September 26 to November 17  
Break: November 18-26  
November 27 to December 22

Spring semester:  
January 21 to March 1   
Break: March 2-10  
March 11 to April 19 

Can you tell me more about In eynem, the communicative Yiddish textbook that will be used in these classes?
In eynem:

  • Uses the communicative approach to language-learning—students use language first and foremost to socialize and converse with their classmates about their daily lives, to delve into texts for cultural and artistic insights, to use the language as a practical tool and as a vehicle for fun and creativity. They learn vocabulary and grammar through these activities naturally, personalizing their acquisition of this knowledge;
  • Draws on multimedia Yiddish sources from different time periods, geographical regions, and points on a religious and political spectrum—a rare immersive experience in global Yiddish culture;
  • Creates frameworks for students to be able to express their lived experiences in Yiddish, making it their own;
  • Exposes students to all varieties of the language—an assortment of dialects, orthographies, and handwriting to prepare students for scholarly work or other engagement with authentic texts;
  • Can be adapted to students based on their age and background, as well as based on the format of the class (weeklong intensive, evening adult education, university course, summer program, and other venues);
  • Includes a teacher guide with detailed lesson plans to optimize the use of the book in a classroom setting.

What are the technological requirements for the program?
Workshops will be held via Zoom, and all other class communication will take place using Slack. Participants must have access to a computer with a webcam, microphone, and reliable internet and must be proficient in Zoom.

What does the program cost?
The program is tuition-free. All Practicum participants receive a yearlong membership to ACTFL and are offered a $1,500 fund to use in support of their professional development, intended to cover the cost of seminar and conference fees, conference lodging, and conference travel reimbursement. Use of the fund must be approved by the program director. Participants teaching Yiddish Book Center courses will receive a stipend of $4,800 for their teaching.