Gateshead Old Seminary – the classes are huge. between 140-180 girls in class (which shrinks closer to 100 by end 3rd year due to girls leaving, getting engaged etc)
The classes on the whole are more lecture style. However, questions are ALWAYS welcome. Certain Rabbonim do actually prefer a more interactive style class.. but this is always done in a higly respectable way. Noone calls out.
Halacha is taughtr by the famous Rabbi Falk. His classes are interactive, very detailed and interesting.
Hard to go through everything.. but there is a HUGE emphasis on basic hashkofos, emunah the basics of yiddishkeit.. it gets better as you move through 3 year program.
re; textual learning.. It is not stresed.. however, the girls that are good in that area, have an esaier time preparing, and perhaps get more out of the program. But it is not essential at all. There are very minimal amoutn of tests. and the tests (not the halacha ones) are vrey much based around haskofa.. and understanding.. not text based. There is so little stress ont eh tests.. that they don’t even give back the tests or the results! This makes a great learning enviorment. where you elarn for yourslef nad not for the test result!
Gateshead sem is the ideal place for the mature thinking student.
I heard last year, that there was limited amount of visa, and they had to make a Gorel to who to allocate them to!
the mix of girls there is extraordinary.. There are some girls that drown in the large enviroment.. and otrhers that thrive! its all about personal growth.. & the 3 yr programm gives great older peers to learn from. (which is unique to Gateshead!)
Ask more Q’s..
Hatzlacha Raba