Teach English in Israel

Israel is a fascinating country with a rich history and culture that attracts tourists from all over the world. Israel takes education seriously and puts a lot of emphasis on increasing its citizens’ English proficiency. The government has made English instruction compulsory from primary school. As a result, there is a high demand for English teachers. 

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The best cities to find English teacher jobs in Israel are in the larger cities, such as Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa. These cities have a big expat community and have many language schools to apply to. 

Tel Aviv 

Beaches, bars, a 24-hour city

Coined the “city that never sleeps,” Tel Aviv is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city located on the scintillating Mediterranean coast. English is widely spoken in Tel Aviv, so there are many language schools and institutes looking for TEFL teachers. Tel Aviv has beautiful beaches, a lively nightlife, and a thriving culinary scene for all you foodies. So expect to have great experiences dancing the night away and frequenting lots of hipster bars and cafes.

Jerusalem 

Modernity meets age-old traditions

The holiest city in the world – Jerusalem – is steeped in history and culture. English is widely spoken in Jerusalem too, so there is a demand for TEFL teachers. Jerusalem has a unique blend of ancient and modern culture. There are a myriad of historical sights to see, from the Citadel (Tower of David), the Wailing Wall, the Israeli Museum to Christian churches and caves dating back to the Babylonian era.

Haifa 

Beaches, hiking, museums

Haifa is a laid-back, coastal city located in northern Israel. You can take comfort in knowing that Haifa is known for its religious and cultural acceptance – it is known as Israel’s most tolerant city. The cost of living is lower here, too! If you love outdoor activities, Haifa will keep you busy.

Israel has quite a lengthy application and visa process. So be sure to apply well in advance and get all your paperwork done months before you intend on actually moving to Israel. 

You need to get a work visa and permit if you are planning on teaching in Israel long-term. This process is long, so be sure to apply for jobs well in advance and get the ball rolling. Once you have a job offer you can apply for a work visa. 

What will I need to qualify to teach in Israel?

A lot. Qualifying for a teaching position in Israel is quite arduous if you are not an Israeli citizen or are not already living there. 

In order to teach in an Israeli school, you will need the following:

• A Bachelor’s degree from an English-medium university. This must be approved by the Israeli Ministry of Education (MOE). 
• Have an Israeli teaching license. If not, take a year long retraining course at a Teacher training College.
• TEFL certificate is preferred
• Previous teaching experience is also preferred
• You may need to take subsidised Ulpan courses to learn Hebrew. Duration of Ulpan courses lasts between 6-9 months.

What is not required to qualify to teach English in Israel?

• You will not be required to speak the local language of Hebrew, but you may be asked to take Ulpan classes to learn how to communicate with students and staff. 
• You do not need to be Jewish to work in Israel.
• You are not required to have a TEFL certificate, but it will count in your favour if you do have one.

Our Level 5 Combined Course (168 hours) is the best certification to get if you don’t have teaching experience, as this course includes 20 hours of in-class teaching practice.

There are a myriad of teaching jobs and programs available for TEFL teachers that are already in Israel. These include positions at language schools and institutes, public schools, universities, and private tutoring. 

For foreign teachers looking to get into Israel, there are some cool programs to choose from.

Masa Israel Teaching Fellows program:

The Masa Israel Teaching Fellows program or Teaching Corps program, is a 10-month long volunteer teaching program.

This program places new, young TEFL teachers into underprivileged schools. 

Timeline: Late August – early July

Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s degree
• Health and background check
• Identify as Jewish
• Be aged 20-35
• Be a native English speaker.
• Pay $1,000 for the program (accommodation, orientation, excursions, Hebrew courses, health insurance and more)

Benefits: 

• Reimbursement of flight of up to $1,000
• Monthly cash stipend for non certified teachers: $490
• Monthly cash stipend for certified teachers: $1,090

Fulbright Israel 

This is a merit-based program only available to U.S. citizens. In this program, you will be working as an ETA (English teachingh assistant) in a college. You will be able to teach English in other subjects too, depending on your field of study. 

Work hours: 20 hours a week

Duration: 9 months

Stipend: $29,000

Language schools and institutes

Language schools and institutes are the most common places for TEFL teachers to find jobs in Israel. These schools offer classes to students of all ages and levels, from young children to adults. The classes can be held in-person or online, and the curriculum can range from general English to test preparation courses, such as TOEFL and IELTS.

Public schools 

The MOE has a public program called the English Teacher initiative. Both foreign English and local Israeli teachers are eligible to apply for this program, in which you will be assisting the main teacher in the classroom. You can expect to teach students from kindergarten all the way to high school. 

Teaching time: 24 hours a week

Universities

Teaching English in Israel at a University will require you to have a Masters or PhD.

Private tutoring

Teaching private English lessons in Israel is the most lucrative way to make money and offers the best work-life balance. You can charge between ILS 75 and ILS 180 ($20 and $50) per session – not too shabby, right?

Naturally, the average salary for a TEFL teacher in Israel varies depending on the type of job and your location. But if we are being realistic, the salary is pretty low in Israel, especially in comparison to the cost of living.

On average, TEFL teacher salaries range between ILS 2,500 to ILS 5,000 ($700 to $1,500) a month. 

In terms of benefits,TEFL teachers may receive health insurance, housing, and travel reimbursement- depending on the employer. The Israeli government offers free health insurance to all citizens and permanent residents. 

Not to be a downer, but the cost of living in Israel is very high, particularly in major cities. On the up-side, it is possible to live comfortably on a teacher’s salary, especially if you live outside the major cities. 

Here are some costs you can factor into your budget:

Accommodation

• One-bedroom apartment in city centre: ILS 4,000 ($1,100)
• One-bedroom apartment outside city centre: ILS 3, 000 ($825)

Utilities

• Gas, water, electricity: ILS 820 ($225)

Food and groceries

• Monthly shop: ILS 365 ($100)
• Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: ILS 65 ($18)

Transport

• Monthly transport pass: ILS 220 ($60)
• One-way ticket: ILS6 ($1.50)

Internet 

• Unlimited: ILS 100 ($27)

Not really. Saving is not possible on a teacher’s salary, but teaching private lessons will be able to make saving a possibility.

Teaching English online is another way to put more money away in the bank. Teaching English online is flexible and convenient. You can structure your schedule and work around your full-time teaching job.

Teaching and living in Israel is different for all TEFL teachers. Some teachers speak highly of their experience, while others complain about the low pay and heavy workload. 

When deciding if Israel is the right place for you, you should strongly consider if your needs and wants are aligned with the country. Israel is a very conservative and very religious country. You will be required to abide by the country’s laws and customs. As an example, women need to dress modestly and wear a scarf to cover their heads – in and outside the classroom. 

Speaking of Israel brings up the topic of security due to the ongoing conflict regarding Palestine. Security is pretty high and this will often result in frequent security checks and travel restrictions to certain areas.