The concept of the ulpan was initiated soon after the
creation of Israel in 1948. The new country was faced with a massive influx of new immigrants, refugees from
war-torn Europe, oppressed and disadvantaged communities from
Africa and the Middle East, and others from all parts of the world. Their language and culture varied widely. The ulpan was created to help them learn the Hebrew language and assimilate into the culture. Ulpan Etzion in
Jerusalem's
Baka neighborhood was established in 1949 by Mordechai Kamerat as a model for Hebrew language education used across Israel. It was a residential facility for single
olim between the ages 21 and 35 holding a bachelor's degree. Staff and students said that the atmosphere of the campus, its central location, and the high quality of teaching, made it a sought-after destination. One of Ulpan Etzion's notable alumni was Israeli satirist
Ephraim Kishon. News anchor
Haim Yavin taught there. The institution of the ulpan continues to serve immigrants today. There are numerous private facilities but the majority are run by the
Jewish Agency, municipalities,
kibbutzim, and the universities. While some ulpanim are free, some charge a fee depending on the type and length of the course. Since the establishment of the first ulpan in Jerusalem in 1949, more than 1.3 million new immigrants have graduated from ulpanim. in
Afula, 1979 The ulpan framework has been adopted by other nations attempting to revive their own declining or lost languages.
Wales,
Scotland, and
Norway have used the ulpan model for native-language instruction. Certain language courses in Wales and Scotland have even retained the name
ulpan (spelled in
Welsh and in
Scottish Gaelic). The
Sámi people of
Norway sent a delegation to Israel in 2012 in order to experience Israel's ulpan program and apply its methods toward the preservation of its own threatened linguistic heritage. ==Kibbutz ulpan==