The Development of the Natural Method (Ivrit Be-Ivrit) in the Teaching of Hebrew in Jewish Schools in Modern Times

This dissertation traces the course of the Natural Method known as Ivrit Be-Ivrit to the renewed interest in Hebrew on the part of the Haskalah. It likewise points to the process of adaptation of ideas from the field of general progressive education to the Jewish school system with special reference to the methodology of teaching Hebrew. It also seeks to establish the organic relationship between the Zionist vision and the dream of transforming Hebrew once again into the Jewish verancular with the classroom as the most important medium. Special attention is given to the arguments put forth by the exponents of the Natural Method as well as to the views expounded by the opponents of Ivrit Be-Ivrit.