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What is A.H.A.V.A.?

Upcoming Events:
Annual Readathon

Israeli children who log the greatest number of books in several divisions – native English-speakers and native Hebrew-speakers, categorized by grade level – win prizes such as jeep rides,  bowling vouchers and games & book certificates.

The Ma’aleh Adumim Municipality sponsors the A.H.A.V.A. Readathon, along with many local businesses, 

 

We try to encourage reading from every angle.

Founded in 2000, A.H.A.V.A (“English Learned in a Natural Method") is the only non-profit organization in Israel dedicated solely to promoting English literacy for children, particularly in peripheral areas. Standard English language instruction in Israeli schools often is not sufficient to prepare schoolchildren for higher education, which makes extensive use of English materials, or for future opportunities such as overseas fellowships and conferences.

English is crucial for children. It opens up a world of wider reading and opportunities for them later on in life.

According to 2012 statistics, barely 50% of all Israelis gained matriculation. Less than a third of all high-school students go to college.

 

The Ministry of Education’s new policy regarding Young Learners states that exposure should begin in the first and second grades, via books and songs. This policy change affirms the A.H.A.V.A. approach that has operated in a variety of disadvantaged communities for the past 13 years.

 

A.H.A.V.A has developed a unique English literacy program for both native Hebrew and English speaking children. They provide effective English language instruction in Israel at a cost affordable to all socioeconomic levels. This goal is achieved via properly educated (and paid) teachers working in small groups, with innovative and engaging educational materials. 

Gaila Cohen Morrison, A.H.A.V.A. director

"The heart of what I’m doing is to make learning English fun,” says A.H.A.V.A. director Gaila Cohen Morrison, who has been teaching various subjects for 36 years. Its easy reader, "Reading Rocks!", is used by English teachers and tutors for third-graders to adults all over the country.


“In our curriculum and book and programs, I try to make everything as simple as possible, so children can go step by step without big gaps of knowledge between one lesson and the next. That’s the key to good education,” says Morrison. “We also try to make reading English fun, interesting and relevant. It has to make sense and follow a smooth progression.”

What I love to do the most is to help children read.  When I see the joy in their faces as they start to sail through those pages smoothly and enjoy what they read - nothing gives me more satisfaction than that.

 

I love when I ask for help from the local business community and they happily agree to do so.

The best was when the bowling alley owner saw me come in and said, "Now I know I will have a great day!"

"Why?" I asked him. 

"Because it will be full of love." (Word play on our acronym, A.H.A.V.A., meaning "love" in Hebrew.) 

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