Hebrew learning app company founders
New app offers 24/7 Hebrew lessons for immigrants
Having struggled themselves with the outdated teaching methods in state-run ulpan courses, Francisco Manrinaro and Adam Cohen decide to provide an online technology based app to help immigrants master the language quickly
Two recent immigrants to Israel have developed an app to help new arrivals tackle the challenge of learning Hebrew.
Aprende Hebreo, a smart-learning company that developed the app, was founded by two young immigrants from Latin America who struggled as they tried to learn the language in government offered courses known in Israel as ulpan.
Hebrew learning app company founders Francisco Marinaro and Adam Cohen with WZO team
So, they decided to develop an artificial intelligence-based platform for the study of Hebrew.
Francisco Marinaro and Adam Cohen met at an immigrant absorption center in Ra'anana, a town north of Tel Aviv, and decided to join forces to find a solution that would help new immigrants gain a quick and easy command of the language.
"We developed this solution because we wanted anyone who immigrates to Israel to have a basic knowledge of Hebrew as well as the ability to study any time and anywhere," Marinaro said.
"When I started studying the language, I saw how exhausted students were by the outdated method of teaching and how hard it was for them having to work full time and go to language school.
"I realized there had to be a technology-based method that makes lessons available 24 hours a day. I wanted a solution that could be used by immigrants before they actually arrived in Israel so that they could have a head start."
Newly arrived immigrant at Ben Gurion airport (Photo: Nir Kafri)
The app the two developed uses interactive video clips with questions that must be answered as well as speech, grammar and vocabulary exercises all monitored clearly on a panel so as to keep track of the student's progress.
The company prepared a subscription-based business model which costs just a few dollars a month and includes online support.
The app currently teachers Hebrew to Spanish speakers but will soon support English, French and Russian as well.
The WZO is extending its support to the project.
