You learn actual Hebrew words from the very first lesson. The vocabulary practice tapes allow you to hear the correct pronunciation in Hebrew followed by a pause for you to repeat the word. When you have successfully completed the Primer Set, you may either go on to Level 1 of the modern or Book 1 of the Biblical. Some people like to study both at the same time. This works well since there is considerable overlap.
People sometimes ask what the difference is between Biblical and modern Hebrew.
It is perhaps similar to the difference between the Elizabethan English of the King James Version of the Bible and modern American English.