Why Can’t I Understand What Israelis Are Saying?

You study Hebrew and practice in the classroom—but still struggle to understand Israelis in real life. Why? Here’s a tip worth saving.

We hear that exact experience all the time: “I study Hebrew regularly, I write and read well, I participate in class. Yet, for some reason, I just can’t understand Israelis when they speak.” First things first—you are not alone. This is a common hurdle for language learners who are on their way to becoming fluent.

The goal isn’t just to speak, but to actively participate in conversations—that means understanding, processing information, responding, and asking questions in real time.

So what’s behind the problem? It’s actually a straightforward observation: **if you don’t understand everything, you may end up understanding nothing. We often latch onto unfamiliar words when learning a new language. Think of students in language classes who circle every unknown word in a story. In the short term, this might feel productive––you look them up one by one. But in reality, it can erode your confidence, slowing your comprehension.

Here’s the difficult truth: if you didn’t hear the language during your first two or three years of life, you’re unlikely to ever reach native-like fluency. But there’s good news—you can become functionally fluent.

If you're around an intermediate level (Bet level), now is the time to shift your focus: What do I understand? Pay attention to the words you recognize, whether it's a WhatsApp message or something someone said aloud. Piece together meaning from what you do know. This isn’t a random tip—it’s a method commonly used in Israeli schools for teaching English to native Hebrew speakers. Comprehending just 60–70% of a text often suffices to infer meaning and respond appropriately.

So next time you catch yourself thinking, “I don’t understand,” mentally correct it to: “I don’t understand everything.” Then, begin knitting together the parts you do understand—you’ll be surprised how much clearer things become. And if progress still feels slow—maybe it’s time to consider a course at UAB.