Question 1

WHAT IS TINAU?

Accepted Answer

TINAU stands for "This Is Not An Ulpan", an alternative language school run by a non-profit cooperative of language teachers and students, that combines Hebrew and Arabic learning with critical pedagogy. We are active in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa and online. Our fundamental goal is to teach beyond grammar or spelling; to allow students to acquire the tools necessary to understand and engage with their surroundings in Hebrew or Arabic and positively impact our societies. 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.

Question 2

HOW DOES LANGUAGE LEARNING WORK AT TINAU?

Accepted Answer

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!

Question 3

WHO CAN ATTEND THE CLASSES?

Accepted Answer

Literally anyone and everyone who is interested in learning a new language. Are you a new immigrant? Visitor? Student? Asylum seeker? Everyone is welcome to join our courses in either Jerusalem, Haifa, Tel Aviv or online. ​

Question 4

HOW DO I CALCULATE THE COST OF MY COURSES?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 5

WHAT IS THE PAYMENT TIMELINE?

Accepted Answer

Early Bird Price - Up to 1 month before the first week of the course (from the Sunday) 
Regular Price - Between 1 month and 1 week before the first week of the course (from the Sunday). 
Full Price - The week before the first week of the course (from the Sunday).

Question 6

WHAT IS THE REFUND POLICY?

Accepted Answer

Weekly courses:  
Up to seven working days before the course begins you can cancel upon paying 250 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 the course, you get a 40% refund. After the second lesson of the course, you are not eligible for a refund. 
​
Intensive Courses:
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 250 NIS will be charged for any cancellation.

Private lessons: 
A package of private lessons is valid for one year.
After buying a package of private lessons, there will be no refund in case of cancellations.
Notification of a cancelled or postponed lesson must be 24 hours before the time of the lesson. If notification of a cancelled or postponed lesson is given less than 24 hours in advance, the lesson will be charged in full.
 
Sham Ze Lo Ulpan courses (organizations): 
A lot of administrative and pedagogical work goes into creating material and finding teachers for off-site, specialized courses. Thus, the cancellation policy is as follows:
Two weeks before the course begins- no charge of cancellation.
Within the two weeks prior to a course beginning- 20% fee upon cancellation.
Once the course starts- full payment of course.

Question 7

WHEN DOES THE NEXT SEMESTER START?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 8

HOW CAN I JOIN A CLASS?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 9

CAN I JOIN A CLASS MID-SEMESTER?

Accepted Answer

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!

Question 10

HOW DO I KNOW WHAT'S MY LEVEL?

Accepted Answer

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 or look up the course descriptions.

Question 11

WHO ARE THE TEACHERS

Accepted Answer

Our teachers are local Jews 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.

Question 12

HOW CAN I VOLUNTEER?

Accepted Answer

If you are interested in joining the team, contact us directly. In exchange for helping, volunteers are eligible for a discount on language classes. For each hour of volunteering with us, volunteers receive a 50 NIS discount off language courses. Anyone is welcome to volunteer, although we do have a limit on how many volunteers we can take on each semester.

Question 13

SECURITY & HEALTH RELATED

Accepted Answer

This is Not an Ulpan follows instructions set by Pikud HaOref/ Home Front Command. Should restrictions on in-person learning be placed for health or security reasons, we reserve the right to move courses to an online format, until it is permitted to return to courses in our classrooms. We will not be able to offer refunds if courses move online due to instructions set by Pikud HaOref/ Home Front Command.

FAQs