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Institute of Hungarian
Studies
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The purpose of this section is to provide information about the
different methodologies and resources available to teachers of the Hungarian language. It
is hoped that this site will provide teachers and students alike some strategies that are
currently employed by language instructors with valuable experience teaching Hungarian to
English-speakers.
Below are teachers' comments on three frequently-used Hungarian
language textbooks.
Note: The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Institute.
Halló, Itt Magyarország!
Halló, Itt Magyarország!. vol. I&II. (Akademia Kiado:Budapest)
Strengths:
- Grammar tables at the back of each textbook
- Audio-tape recordings of text for each chapter.
- Vocabulary list for each chapter
- Adequate grammar coverage for beginner, intermediate and intermediate/advanced levels
Weaknesses:
- Monolingual, a teacher may be necessary to explain the grammar
- Table of Contents does not include the grammar covered in each chapter
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"Hungarian in Words and Pictures is based on the (Hungarian) monolingual Színes Magyar Nyelvkönyv released by the International Preparatory Institute of Budapest many years ago. HWP provides English vocabulary lists and grammar explanations. The latter are quite good, even though the book has its own rather peculiar symbol set, which is hard to get used to. The presentation of relative clause structures is better than that of any other book I have used.
The exercises are good, though their cultural content is dated. Overall, this is a thoroughly good work, though not one that lends itself well to use without a teacher or tutor."
Hungarolingua is the textbook series designed and used by the Hungarian Language school at Debrecen.
Strengths:
- Three-levels
- Audio-tapes for all three levels
- Videotapes for levels I and II
- Communicative approach with grammar charts
- Separate grammar workbook for additional practice
- Wordlist in 4 languages
- Answer key for self-correction
Weaknesses:
- Monolingual, i.e. no English explanations
- A teacher is necessary.
Related Sites:
www.fas.harvard.edu/~arubin/hungarian.html:
Hungarian lessons and other information about the Hungarian Language.
vnet.hu/hls:
Gold Bridge Hungarian Language School offers intensive Hungarian lessons.
www.hungarotips.com/hungarian: Hungarotips
lesson plans, puzzles and various information on the Hungarian language (English)
home.beseen.com/social/astro757/index.html:
Teach Yourself Hungarian Online includes 23 lessons, a Hungarian chat link, and
grammer references. (English, Hungarian)
Dictionaries:
www.sztaki.hu/services/engdict/index.jhtml: English-Hungarian
dictionary, German-Hungarian dictionary, Webster dictionary, library sites, and an
assortment of information. (English, Hungarian).
www.freedict.com/onldict/hun.html: Freeware
Dictionary Program Both English-Hungarian and Hungarian-English dictionaries. Easy to
use.
www.notam.uio.no/~hcholm/altlang/ht/Hungarian.html: Alternative Dictionaries' Hungarian Slang contains a Hungarian/English dictionary of slang words.
www.tiszanet.hu/japanese: Hungarian-Japanese dictionary, and other information.
Below is a list of teachers (and/or contact persons) from universities
that offer Hungarian language courses in the US.
Boros-Kazai, András
Beloit College
e-mail: boroka@beloit.edu
Boros-Kazai, Mary
Beloit College
e-mail: boroskaz@beloit.edu
Hajnal, Judit
Rutgers University Hungarian Institute
e-mail: jhajnal@rci.rutgers.edu
hajnal@gizi.dote.hu
or the Institute's website at
hi.rutgers.edu/index.html
or the course site at
www.rci.rutgers.edu/~jhajnal/fall2000.html
Honigsfeld, Andrea
New York University
e-mail: ah_hh@email.msn.com
Elteto, Louis
Portland State University
Dept. of Foreign Languages
e-mail: lelteto@aol.com
Molnár, Gábor
Indiana University
Dept. of Central Eurasian Studies
e-mail: gmolnar@indiana.edu
Riskó, Ági
Ohio State University
Dept. of Slavic and East European Studies
e-mail: risko.1@osu.edu
Rounds, Carol
Columbia University
Dept. of Italian
e-mail: chr2@columbia.edu
Simon, Judit
UCLA
Dept. of Slavic Languages and Literature
e-mail: msimon@uci.edu
Varkonyi, Istvan
Temple University
Dept. of French, German, Italian and Slavics
e-mail:samsa@unix.temple.edu
SWSEEL: The Summer
Workshop of Slavic, East European and Central Asian Languages at Indiana University is one
of the premiere summer intensive language programs in the country. Each summer, the
workshop offers students first year Hungarian intensive language courses taught by a
visiting instructor from Hungary.
The eight week intensive language program is ideal for those students who intend to
continue their studies of the Hungarian language during the school year at Indiana
University, and for those who plan to visit Hungary in the near future. It is also a great
way for Hungarian-Americans to learn more about the language and culture of Hungary.
For more information see: www.indiana.edu/~iuslavic/swseel.html
The Center for Languages at Beloit College also offers first year
intensive Hungarian language courses in the summer. For more information see: www.beloit.edu/~cls/hungarian/Hungary.html
Kossuth Lajos University in Debrecen offers intensive Hungarian language courses to
students of all levels. For more information see: summer06.sum.klte.
hu
Below are three short grammar activities that we have developed to show the computer-assisted language learning technology that is available today on the web. Because Hungarian is a less commonly taught language, we feel that it is necessary to consider using computer-assisted technology to reach those students who otherwise would not have access to Hungarian classes.
These activities are supplemental. In other words, they should be used with a variety of resources including a textbook, bulletin board assignments and chatroom discussions. Though computer language learning technology cannot (and should not) replace the normal classroom setting, they can help those students who until now have been forced to study the language independently.
To view these activities, you will need Shockwave Player. If you don't already have it, you can download it for free at: http://www.macromedia.com/downloads/
Activity #1: direct objects.
www.indiana.edu/~iuihsl/feedme.dcr
Activity #2: readings. This activities provides the reader with two short texts on an Hungarian and American restaurant. The second reading includes an audio recording.
www.indiana.edu/~iuihsl/readings2.dcr
Activity #3: definite and indefinite verb conjugations. Users' Top Choice!
www.indiana.edu/~iuihsl/gabor.dcr
Due to copyright restrictions, we are unable to provide the two video clips that went with this prototype unit. But for those interested in seeing the transcripts of the chatroom discussion that took place on 6 February, 2001, or to know more about the course, please contact Dini Metro-Roland at dmetroro@indiana.edu
