Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Every week, at least one student tells me the same thing.
Sometimes quietly. Sometimes with visible frustration:
“I’ve been learning Hebrew for (years/months/etc…). Why am I still not feeling any progress?”
Or even more common—it comes as a statement: “I should be better by now!“
Behind this sentence, there’s real disappointment.
As a Hebrew teacher who works with students over time, I hear these thoughts constantly.
And even when learning a language feels hard or stuck, there’s an important point I want to share now to help you understand what can actually help you progress.
What Really Affects Success in Learning?
In recent years, researchers have been talking a lot about a concept called grit—
the ability to persist over time, with a sense of meaning, even when things feel difficult and progress isn’t obvious.
The idea is actually quite reassuring:
success in learning doesn’t depend only (or even mostly) on talent, or on what you knew at the beginning.
What matters much more is how you continue along the way.
And this is especially true when learning a language.
Why Learning Hebrew Can Feel So Stuck
Language learning is a long, non-linear process.
There are moments of real progress—and long periods where it feels like nothing is moving.
Many of my students:
- understand much more than they can say
- know the words, but can’t retrieve them in real conversations
- feel they “should be further along by now”
And that’s where disappointment often appears.
Continuing Even When There’s Doubt
One of the most confusing things about learning a language is that progress isn’t always felt.
Sometimes there’s a sudden leap—one day you notice you’re speaking more freely, understanding a full conversation, or that Hebrew suddenly “sits” differently.
But very often, that’s not the case.
There are long stretches where you keep learning, practicing, hearing Hebrew around you—
and nothing feels new or impressive.
This is exactly where persistence becomes meaningful.
Research shows that what helps people reach their goals over time isn’t necessarily talent or initial knowledge,
but the ability to continue even when progress isn’t immediately visible.
To stay connected to motivation—to the why: why am I learning Hebrew, what role does it play in my life?
Turning Self-Doubt Into Forward Motion
This doesn’t mean pretending everything is perfect or avoiding honest self-assessment.
Many language learners are thoughtful and self-aware—they notice what isn’t working yet, what still feels inaccurate.
The difference lies in where that awareness leads.
Paralyzing self-doubt says: “I’m not good enough, I’ll never get this.”
Constructive self-reflection asks: “What can I improve? What would help me right now—more practice, more exposure, or perhaps a different approach?”
The students I see making real progress aren’t the ones who never feel doubt.
They’re the ones who keep showing up, learning, and adjusting—even with doubt present.
Hebrew as a Journey, Not a Destination
Learning Hebrew (or any language) isn’t a proof of your ability. It’s an ongoing process.
There are smoother days and harder ones.
Moments of flow—and moments where every sentence takes effort.
But when learning has meaning,
and when there’s gentle discipline—staying in contact with the language even when it’s uncomfortable—
difficulty becomes part of the path, not a sign that something is wrong.
In Conclusion
If there’s one thing I hope you take from this, it’s this:
progress in language learning doesn’t always feel like progress.
Sometimes it’s quiet.
Sometimes it’s happening beneath the surface.
And sometimes it appears suddenly, after a long period that felt “ordinary.”
Persistence over time, combined with motivation and a clear sense of why,
is more powerful than any initial talent or prior knowledge.
And in that sense—
the fact that you’re still learning, even when it’s not easy,
already says a lot.
A Practical Tool for Consistent Learning
One way to stay connected to Hebrew, even during those periods when progress feels invisible, is to track what you’re learning. I’ve created a Learning Journal specifically for this—a simple tool that helps you collect and organize new words as you encounter them.
It’s not about dramatic progress or big milestones. It’s about maintaining that gentle, steady contact with the language. Sometimes, just seeing what you’ve accumulated over time can remind you that you are moving forward, even when it doesn’t feel that way.
*
If you’ve been learning Hebrew for a while and feel like something isn’t clicking yet, a short trial lesson can be a good place to reset and move forward. Often, working with a teacher creates the stability and accountability that helps you keep going—especially during the harder stretches with the language.
Want a clear, accessible introduction to the idea of grit?
Angela Duckworth’s TED Talk – based on her research on grit and long-term success.
