TEACH ENGLISH IN ISRAEL & PALESTINE

About Teaching English in Israel & Palestine

To teach English in Israel and Palestine, you will need a TEFL certificate and a 4-year college degree in any field. You must be a native English speaker as well. The average salary for an English teacher in Israel and Palestine is about $700 - $1,500 USD per month.

As a dynamic and cosmopolitan nation that engages in extensive interaction with the global community economically and culturally, Israel has a strong demand for the English language.  However, because of its small size and a large number of local English speakers, Israel represents a competitive job market for foreign English teachers.

Most first-time English teachers will gain employment by interviewing in person once they arrive in Israel, though some opportunities can be arranged in advance. Teachers will also be responsible for their airfare, as well as housing, with a few exceptions.  Wages typically enable English teachers to live comfortably.  Most teachers live in apartments recently vacated by previous teachers, and many share accommodations with their coworkers. Schools typically offer around 20-25 hours per week of work, leaving you plenty of opportunities to travel and explore. Giving private lessons is a popular way to make extra money.

English teaching jobs in Israel are concentrated in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, Rishon LeZion, and other major cities. 

PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES: With a small population and an economy depressed by ongoing regional conflict, the Palestinian Territories do not represent a major job market for teaching English abroad.  That said, the Palestinians are known for their dedication to education and many Palestinians see English as a path to enhancing their educational and employment opportunities. Most teaching opportunities are volunteer positions (often in refugee camps) or low-paying. 

How to Teach English in Israel & Palestine: Requirements

TEFL Certification for Israel & Palestine

A TEFL certification is required to teach English in Israel. You do not need professional teaching experience but earning your TEFL certification will provide you with the training and qualification you do need to get hired. 

Teachers typically interview for jobs both in-person in Israel and sometimes in advance from their home country. Therefore, it is most common for students to take one of our TEFL course options listed below.

Native English-Speaking Proficiency

You will need to be a native English speaker to teach English in Israel. This means you will need to hold citizenship from the USA, Canada, South Africa, Australia, Ireland, the UK, or New Zealand.

Degree Requirements

A Bachelor's degree is typically required to teach English in Israel. Please note, your degree does not need to be in education, it can be in any field. 

How to Find English Teaching Jobs in Israel & Palestine

TEFL Jobs in Israel & Palestine

The most common teaching jobs in Israel and Palestine consist of:

• Teaching in public schools as part of the Masa Teaching Fellows Program (for those of Jewish Heritage).
• Teaching in colleges as a teaching assistant as part of the Government-run program, Fulbright Israel.
• Teaching business English to adults.
• Private one-on-one tutoring.
• Volunteer positions at refugee camps (in Palestinian territories).
• Teaching English Online.

English Teacher Jobs in Israel & Palestine: Hiring & Visa

English teachers seeking work in Israel can expect to find jobs year-round with expected downtimes around Jewish holidays.

Interviews are conducted face-to-face in Israel, meaning you will need to be in-country to begin your job search. If applying for one of the two programs mentioned above, interviews are typically done in advance from your home country.

You will enter Israel on a tourist visa which will be converted to a resident visa through right of return. 

TEFL Israel & Palestine: Hours

Language schools in Israel offer approximately 20 to 30 hours of classroom work per week plus additional hours for prep time. This allows for plenty of time to travel and explore. 

Teaching Israeli & Palestinian Students

It is most common that your students will be school-aged children or adult business professionals.

Teaching English in Israel & Palestine Salary & Cost of Living

Start-up Costs

Start-up costs will range from $1,500 - $2,000 USD. These are expenses you will incur from your arrival in Israel until you receive your first paycheck and may include things like rent, apartment supplies, transport, groceries, getting your new local cell phone number set up, etc. 

English Teacher Salary in Israel & Palestine

A solid salary enables teachers the opportunity to live a comfortable lifestyle while in Israel. English teachers in Israel & Palestine can expect to make $700 - $1,500 USD per month.

If you have not secured employment through a program, there are no flight or housing benefits/stipends provided so you will need to remember to account for accommodation or temporary housing for your first few weeks in your start-up costs until you find an apartment to rent.

For those participating in the MASA Israel Journey Program, airfare, apartment, monthly stipend, health insurance, and more are offered to teachers.

Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Fellowships receive a $20,000 living stipend.

Cost of Living & Savings

The average monthly cost of living ranges from around $1,000 - $1,500 USD per month.

English teachers in Israel can expect to break even month over month. This means you can cover your rent and bills, support yourself, live comfortably, and enjoy your life abroad to the fullest, but you should not expect to save money at the end of the month. If you are hustling and taking on private tutoring lessons and/or teaching English online in addition to your regular teaching schedule, you may increase your ability to save.