Teaching English abroad, such as through organizations like Volunteer in Palestine, appeals to many, offering the chance to live independently, immerse in new cultures, meet diverse people, and develop valuable life skills. Whether you’re a native English speaker or someone who has mastered it as a second language, the prospect of being able to teach English in Palestine is both exciting and enriching. Palestine, with its rich history and vibrant culture, presents a unique and rewarding environment for those interested in teaching English.
Volunteer in Palestine is an organization that offers comprehensive opportunities for English teachers in the region. This guide will explore the best places to teach English in Palestine, highlighting the benefits and experiences that make this region a fascinating destination for educators. Whether you’re looking to contribute to local communities, gain teaching experience, or simply embark on a new adventure, Palestine offers a compelling option for your teaching journey.
Why Palestine for Teaching English Abroad?
Palestine is an amazing country with such an intricate and troubled history, that it is a brilliant place to visit in and of itself even before you get to the teaching side of things. It has a unique culture, even for the Middle East, and for people interested in international relations, the ongoing Occupation is a prime case study like power relations and violence. Then there is the traditional food which is fantastic here and the warm hospitable Arab welcome you are sure to receive. If you are interested in your history, you can follow in the footsteps of the Romans, the Byzantines, the Ottomans, the Lawrence of Arabia, and many more to personally uncover the history here.
Voluntary English Teaching vs a Paid Role
This question depends on your experience and qualifications – most of the time, you will start with a volunteer role until you have proved yourself capable as an English teacher, but it is possible that you can find a paid role straight up if you have been teaching for a while. Don’t worry about taking a voluntary role though, this will likely lead to a paid role in the future, if that is indeed your goal!
Volunteer or Intern in the Summer
Join us this summer for a unique and vibrant experience! Summer is when our organization is at its busiest, offering a variety of opportunities that go beyond traditionally similar programs. Whether you want to do some volunteering or gain professional experience through an internship, our summer programs aim to make the most of your time abroad.
We offer volunteer placements and internships that allow you to engage directly with local communities and gain hands-on experience in your field of interest. Thanks to our partnership with the Palestinian Ministry of Education, these opportunities can also provide academic credit towards your studies, making them ideal for university or college students looking to enrich their summer break. However, if you’re not currently a student or aren’t seeking academic credit, you’re still welcome to participate.
If you want to make a meaningful impact this summer, explore more about our volunteer and internship programs on our website.
Winter Volunteer Programs
Our Winter Volunteer and Internship Programs run from October to late March, offering a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture and community of Palestine during the cooler months. Whether you’re interested in volunteering, gaining practical experience through an internship, or exploring a new language and culture, our winter programs are tailored to provide a fulfilling and impactful experience.
Participants can choose to stay for anywhere from 1 to 13 weeks, allowing for flexibility in how they engage with local communities and contribute to meaningful projects. Winter in Palestine offers a different pace and atmosphere, making it an ideal time to connect with the people, explore the region, and make a lasting impact.
Our Volunteer and Internship Programs
Volunteer in Palestine offers short-term volunteer and internship programs for people interested in going to Palestine, focusing on human rights, Palestinian children, women’s rights, journalism, teaching English, sports, medicine, Palestinian refugees, Palestinian culture and politics, Palestinian laws and legal system, and the political history and current situation of Palestine and Israel.
Our volunteer programs in Palestine are especially ideal for students and people looking for volunteer and internship programs in the summertime located in the West Bank, Palestine, Israel, or the Middle East.
Our volunteer programs were developed for graduate and undergraduate students of Middle Eastern studies, Arabic studies, or political sciences, as well as professionals, employees of human rights organizations, scholars conducting case studies on Palestine and Israel, human aid workers, social workers, teachers, English native speakers, non-native speakers and anyone interested in engaging in Palestinian culture and daily life.
Here you may find the list of our volunteers and internships program in Palestine:
Different Organizations to Teach English in Palestine With
It is possible to teach English in Palestine with a range of different organizations – NGOs, language schools, and refugee camps are all included. Each one comes with its distinct advantages and disadvantages: a language school is more likely to provide paid roles and be run in a distinctly professional way, but you can see more visibly the impact you are making at a refugee camp or with an NGO and be confident that you are helping the people who need it the most.
Tips For the Classroom When Teaching English Here
It can be a tricky prospect to teach English in Palestine, where the students are monolingual (that is to say all the students in your class will speak Arabic and will regress to Arabic if you are not careful). It’s therefore crucial that you engage your students: if you are working with young learners, this will mean playing games with them, whereas with mature learners it may mean focusing on the topics they want to learn about. As long as you can find the right access point to ensure the students have ‘bought into’ your teaching methods, you can be satisfied that they are going to sit up and listen when you start teaching them something new.
Overview of Teaching English with Volunteer in Palestine
Volunteer in Palestine in Hebron (or Al Khalil as the locals call it) runs voluntary English programs in the heart of a major city, situated on the frontline of Occupation. Volunteer in Palestine is a language and training school dedicated to providing the skills local people need to be successful in their lives. The center was founded in 2011 and offers a mixture of paid-for courses as well as free outreach teaching in local schools in conjunction with the Ministry of Education in Ramallah.
Responsibilities and Requirements for Volunteers
If you take the Teach English in Palestine English teaching program, you will be responsible for the provision of up to 10-15 hours of quality teaching per week, teaching a mixture of group classes with young learners as well as workshops and private one-on-one lessons with older students. Material and curriculum are all provided and the main things we look for in our volunteer English teachers are enthusiasm, a positive mental attitude, and the ability to cope with adversity and adapt to new situations.
Who Can Join Us?
Volunteering and internship opportunities in Palestine have been gaining increasing attention each year, particularly in the areas of education, community development, human rights, and support for refugees and Palestinian children. Whether you are a seasoned volunteer, a first-time contributor, part of a group, or a family, there are meaningful ways for individuals from various backgrounds to engage in the West Bank and immerse themselves in Palestinian culture.
Regardless of your background, skills, age, or abilities, we offer opportunities that align with your passion and commitment. Join us in making a positive impact in Palestine.
When Can You Join Us And For How Long?
Volunteers, interns, and Arabic students who would like to go to Palestine and the West Bank can join our programs for 1-13 weeks at any time of the year (summer, winter, fall, and spring). We are flexible with starting and ending dates.
Living Conditions and Cultural Experience in Hebron
All volunteer programs include accommodation, food, and some visits around the city of Hebron as a standard. This is a fascinating city, with a history stretching back (so they say) to Abraham and Sarah. However, this torturous history has led to competing claims on the land by Palestinians and Israelis. 20% of the city has been designated H2 where the Israelis may live in addition to the original Palestinian inhabitants.
Despite the presence of Israeli soldiers here and occasional clashes, the city feels safe most of the time with any problems localized in one specific area. Volunteer in Palestine welcomes many volunteers all year round and we find that the mixture of internationalist volunteers along with the permanent Palestinian staff at the center makes for a culture melting pot with many volunteers making lifelong friends in this atmosphere.
Impact of Volunteering or Interning in Palestine
Our Volunteer and Internship programs in the West Bank, Palestine are well-researched, targeted, and suitable for anyone who wants to gain insights into daily Palestinian legal affairs and human rights.
We aim to make a long-term difference for the Palestinian local community through the exchange of ideas and “walking in each other’s shoes”. Volunteering and interning is a unique opportunity to genuinely make an impact on your life as well as others including Palestinian children, refugees, youth, and community members in the West Bank, Palestine.
Volunteer and Internship Programs in Gaza
Gaza Strip offers a variety of volunteer and internship programs. They cover important topics like human rights, teaching English, women’s rights in Palestine, supporting Palestinian refugees and children, journalism, Palestinian culture, and politics.
The volunteer and internship opportunities in Gaza, Palestine are for a wide range of people, including students who study the Middle East and Arabic, people interested in politics, professionals, employees of human rights organizations, researchers studying Palestine and Israel, humanitarian workers, social workers, teachers, native English speakers, non-native English speakers, and anyone who wants to learn about Palestinian culture and daily life. If you want to learn more, please click here.
Internship opportunities in Gaza primarily center in cities like Gaza City, Khan Younis, Rafah, Deir al-Balah, and Jabalia. Gaza City, the region’s economic and cultural hub, offers internships with NGOs, media outlets, and universities in fields such as humanitarian aid, human rights, and education. Khan Younis and Rafah, known for their refugee populations, provide internships focused on community development, refugee support, and agricultural projects. Deir al-Balah and Jabalia offer opportunities in areas like environmental conservation, health clinics, and social services, particularly within refugee camps. These internships allow you to engage directly with communities while gaining valuable experience in a complex environment.
Volunteer in the West Bank
Volunteering in the West Bank offers a unique opportunity to engage with Palestinian communities in cities like Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Hebron, each with its distinct cultural and historical significance. In Ramallah, the administrative hub, you can work with NGOs focused on human rights, youth development, and education. Bethlehem, known for its religious heritage, offers opportunities in community centers, schools, and refugee support, while Hebron, with its rich history and complex political landscape, is ideal for those interested in peace-building and human rights monitoring. Other cities like Nablus and Jenin provide volunteer experiences in cultural preservation, youth empowerment, and support for local artisans and refugees.
Cities like Jericho, Tulkarem, and Qalqilya present opportunities to volunteer in environmental conservation, rural development, and educational programs, often within communities facing unique challenges due to the political situation. Whether you’re interested in teaching, cultural initiatives, or social services, the West Bank offers a diverse range of volunteer experiences that allow you to contribute meaningfully while immersing yourself in Palestinian culture and daily life.
Reviews and Awards
Volunteer in Palestine has been offering its services since 2011. Throughout the years, we have been developing many volunteer and internship in Palestine programs, such as the Teach English in Palestine program. We use the most advanced methods which we develop and enhance year after year. Education, learning, and community development is an active process that is always advancing, and you will be part of it.
Despite continuous program improvements for the best learning experience, our core goal remains: connecting, teaching, and developing individuals for the benefit of them and the community. Additionally, we aim to promote and encourage exchange in the local and international communities.
We continue to strive towards excellence:
In 2022, we ranked as “one of the top three organizations worldwide in offering volunteer opportunities”. We also ranked as “one of the top three language schools worldwide” by Go Overseas. We also received a total of five Go Overseas Community Choice Awards. Among others, Volunteer in Palestine earned recognition as one of the top Teach Abroad Providers for the category of “benefits”. Besides that, we were also one of the Top Internship Abroad Providers for the categories of “growth” and “support”.
In 2021, we were one of the top three volunteer programs in the world. Go Overseas awarded us the community choice awards in the categories of “best language school”, “fun”, and “teaching”.
In 2019, we received our inaugural “Go Overseas Community Choice Awards”. This award was a recognition of Volunteer in Palestine’s positive effect on the global travel community. You can check our ratings below.
- +800 Reviews and ratings (96.8%) on gooverseas.com
- +160 Reviews and ratings on goabroad.com
- Participants’ video testimonials
Conclusion
To teach English in Palestine, through Volunteer in Palestine, offers a uniquely rewarding experience set against the backdrop of a region rich in history and culture. Volunteers benefit from a well-structured program that provides comprehensive support, including accommodation, meals, and Arabic lessons while working in diverse environments such as NGOs, language schools, and refugee camps. This immersion allows for meaningful contributions to local communities and offers a valuable opportunity for personal and professional growth.
Beyond the practical teaching experience, volunteers gain a profound understanding of Palestinian culture and the complexities of the region. This opportunity fosters cultural exchange and enhances global perspectives, making the experience not only impactful for local students but also transformative for the volunteers themselves. Embracing this chance to teach in Palestine promises a deeply enriching journey that extends far beyond the classroom.
Find Out More
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us: Info@ecpalestine.org and on Whatsapp:+972 599 479 880
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