Israel

With a population of just over 9 million people, the State of Israel sits on the Mediterranean Sea, bounded by Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. Israel was formed in 1948, after Britain withdrew from Palestine and it’s also the only democratic country in the Middle East. Though small in size (you can traverse the entire country north to south in a mere nine hours by car!) Israel is brimming with fascinating culture, rich history, and no shortage of colorful traditions to explore. “Israel, Land of Creation” is Israel’s tourism slogan, which encapsulates the country’s formative role in the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim faiths, and the capital Jerusalem is a sacred city for all three religions. Consistently sunny skies and agreeable weather make it easy to explore Israel’s wealth of breathtaking sights: from the sandy beaches of Tel Aviv to the cobalt blue waters of the Dead Sea, you’ll never have a dull moment in Israel . Cityscapes With an abundance of alluring, historic cities , Israel promises visitors endless opportunities for discovery and exploration. Jerusalem, one of the oldest cities in the world, is flush with history , religious sites, impressive museums, and a maze of winding alleyways and lanes. From there, head northwest towards the country’s coast for a completely different taste of Israeli culture. There you’ll find Tel Aviv, a vibrant Mediterranean city brimming with dreamy cafes, dynamic nightlife, and a thriving, robust culinary scene. For festival lovers,…

Each country has its own requirements and qualifications when it comes to teaching. Some require a bachelor’s degree in any field. In others, you’ll qualify with only a high school diploma and your TEFL certificate. Some countries have strict visa requirements that may disqualify you based on your citizenship or criminal background. Let’s take a look at the qualifications needed for teaching English in Israel. Education You will need to possess a bachelor’s degree in any subject in order to teach in Israel and in order to qualify for the Masa Israel Teaching Fellows (MITF) program. Citizenship In order to qualify for the MITF program , you must identify as Jewish and have been born or raised in North America, South Africa, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, or India. If you have Israeli citizenship and you wish to apply for MITF, you must have left Israel before the age of 14 and have lived outside of Israel for at least four consecutive years prior to applying to the program. On the other hand, there are no specific citizenship requirements to teach English in Israel at an international school or private language school. However, it is very hard to qualify for a visa to live and work in Israel if you are not of Jewish descent. Securing a B/1 work visa necessitates sponsorship from an Israeli employer, and the process can be complex. If you are a highly qualified English teacher with a degree in education, and/or several years of teaching experience, you may be abl…

In Israel, the demand to learn English is high, and many Israelis see English as a means to boost business prospects and globalize their career options. Israel shares a particularly close political relationship with the United States, moreover, so English has grown to be seen as a key tool for those wishing to enter the world of international relations in particular. That being said, 85 percent of Israel’s population already speaks some level of English, so competition for English teaching positions is high throughout the country and it isn’t a good teaching market for first-time teachers who aren’t of Jewish descent. While some qualified English teachers will be able to find positions at international schools and the occasional private language school, the government-run program Masa Israel remains one of the most popular and accessible routes for TEFL-certified instructors keen on teaching English in Israel (however, you will need to be Jewish in order to qualify for this program. More on that below). Each of these job types comes with its own specific set of advantages, so you’ll want to understand the basic differences between them before you begin applying. Public Schools – Masa Israel Masa Israel was founded in 2003 by the Prime Minister’s Office of Israel and The Jewish Agency for Israel. The goal of this public-service organization is to provide young, Jewish-identifying adults with the opportunity to live in Israel and experience authentic Israeli culture and traditi…

Now that you’ve explored the job types available to you, it’s time to begin the application process! There are several steps to take to find a job teaching English in Israel, and we have them all outlined below. Heads up! The timelines for your job application process and for gathering documents for your visa may overlap. You’ll want to be working on both processes at roughly the same time. Be sure to check out our Teaching in Israel Timeline , as well as the Applying for the Visa section for more information and to make sure you are staying on track with your documents while applying for teaching positions. *ITA does not review applications for the Masa Israel Teaching Fellows (MITF) program. Please refer to the program’s website for program application details and deadlines. Step 1: Prepare Your Initial Application Materials Resume & Cover Letter Your resume and cover letter are the keys to a successful application process. International employers look for specific elements in a resume that may differ from what you’re used to seeing domestically. To take a deeper dive into international resumes and cover letters, visit the Resume and Cover Letter section ! Once you’ve updated your resume and cover letter to meet the recommended international standards, submit your drafts to your Student Affairs Advisor for review. Step 2: Determine Your Preferences A major part of the teaching abroad experience is enjoying where you’ll actually be living! Do you have a preference when it …

Congratulations on your job offer(s)! If you’ve been offered a position from a school in Israel and you’ve followed our previous advice, you’re already off to a great start. But what’s next? Determining whether or not the offer is right for you. To help make this decision, follow the recommendations below by reviewing the basics. Whether you have one offer or several, the key elements you’ll want to take note of are: salary, working hours, vacation days, sick days, housing, airfare, insurance, and bonuses. Let’s take a closer look at what to expect with each of these elements. Review the Basics Salary Participants of the Masa Israel Teaching Fellows (MITF) program who are licensed teachers in their home country receive a monthly salary of 3,000 ILS . MITF participants who are not licensed teachers also receive a monthly salary, though theirs is a bit less: 1,750 ILS . All MITF fellows are required to pay 1,200 USD to participate in the program. This cost covers accommodations, Hebrew classes, teacher orientation and training, health insurance, trips around Israel, and other enrichment activities. Grants and need-based scholarships are available for teachers who require assistance paying the program fee. On the other hand, full-time private language school teachers typically earn a monthly salary of around 29 to 35 ILS per hour, and international school teachers generally make around 6,000 ILS to 9,000 ILS per month. Anything significantly lower or higher should make you ask…

The word “visa” tends to provoke daunting images of endless red tape and paperwork but we’re here to ease your anxiety and hopefully have you zipping through the Israel visa process like a pro. Take it from ITA graduate Jennifer M. , who taught in Ashdod, “After being accepted [to] Masa Israel’s program, they helped get me the forms I would need to get my visa for the Israeli Consulate. The Israeli Consulate in Boston was relatively easy to get a visa through because I didn’t have to go in person. I just printed all the forms, sent my passport and money order in with secured mail, and then got it back with the visa via secured mail. I think they had a question or two about my forms and called me, but it was very simple and stress-free.” Sounds straightforward enough, right? Let’s get started! Visa Types Immigration Visa What is it? This temporary residence visa is granted to individuals who are eligible for Israeli citizenship through the Law of Return, which determines the right of every Jewish person to immigrate to the State of Israel and become a citizen there. Per the Law of Return , “Jews returning to Israel are considered people who were away — or whose ancestors were away — from Israel, and are now returning to their country.” Unsure if you qualify? If you are “a person born to a Jewish mother, or who is a convert to Judaism, and is not a member of another religion,” you might be able to obtain this visa and thus Israeli citizenship. Please see the Ministry of Foreign…

In the days, weeks, and months leading up to your move abroad, it’s more important than ever to stay organized and ask yourself: What are the logistics I have to consider and the loose ends I have to tie up in order to thrive in my new home? Do I have to worry about taxes? What about health insurance? And what the heck do I do about a cell phone? Fear not, TEFL teacher. In this section, you’ll find the tips, resources, and wisdom to tackle these questions and more! Review the Basics Health Insurance Although in a perfect world an apple a day would keep the doctor away, in reality, even teachers get sick. Cue health insurance. Regardless of the country you end up in, you should always inquire about health insurance before accepting a position. If health insurance is indeed provided by your employer, it’s imperative that the relevant details are outlined clearly in any contract you sign. Participants of the Masa Israel Teaching Fellows (MITF) program will receive basic health insurance upon paying the 1,200 USD program application fee. If you want to supplement this health insurance plan with a more comprehensive private insurance option, or if you are teaching at a private language school or international school that does not offer health insurance as a benefit, you will need to do your own research in order to determine which plan might be the best fit for you, your health needs, and any dependents you might be bringing abroad with you. With so many insurance options to choos…

You have finally made it to the end of the Israel section, no small feat! Here is all of that wonderful information from the previous section laid out step-by-step and month-by-month before your intended departure date for Israel. This timeline is not only for the planners and checklist lovers (although you will love this too!). It is strongly encouraged for anyone planning a move to Israel to help keep you on track and organized as you make your way through the process. Finding a Job In–Advance with the Masa Israel Teaching Fellow (MITF) program: MITF applications are rolling and typically close in late July before the program starts in September. However, we definitely don’t advise waiting until then to apply — the sooner you can send in your MITF application the better, as locations tend to fill up quickly. In order to use this timeline, take your desired start date and subtract from there. Most importantly, always verify this timeline and information with MITF’s official website . While it may be possible to move some parts of the process along quicker, follow this timeline as closely as possible. 3-11 months before departure: Begin your research and application process ___ List out your preferences and priorities. ___ Chat with ITA alumni and read about alumni experiences . ___ Ensure your passport is valid for the entire time you plan to be in Israel, as well as six months after. ___ Start saving up so you have enough money in your bank for start-up costs. It’s recommen…

Israel is so rich in cultural experiences. There's the history, tons of different ethnicities, and exposure to major world issues (like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict). I have been able to see places that are thousands of years old and learn so much. The people are so welcoming. They can come off as very rude, but they're really just blunt and don't waste time trying to make people read between the lines. There have been so many times I've met people at the beach, and they've invited me over for Shabbat dinner. / The religious aspect of living in a Jewish state is so unique too since everything closes in most places on Shabbat. And it's weird to see things actually close on a holiday each week (especially if you're from the U.S.). So keep that in mind because you'll have to get your groceries for the weekend beforehand! And public transport (except cabs) shut down. Jennifer M. Ashdod, Israel We have all experienced a big adjustment when it comes to Israeli classrooms, they are loud and there is very little in terms of behavioral management which has been difficult, but the children are also some of the most affectionate and loving that I have ever met. Every single day is an adventure and the friends that I have met here are for life. When I arrived, I was of course overwhelmed, I landed extremely jet lagged in a country where the majority of people do not speak English and my Hebrew is very limited. Taylor K. Ashdod, Israel