The Teach English and Study Arabic in Palestine Program: is for students, English native and non-native speakers, graduates, undergraduate, professionals, and retired people who are looking for teaching English opportunities in the West Bank, Palestine, Israel,Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and the Middle East or wider Arabic World in general. The Teach English and Study Arabic in Palestine project provides you with the opportunity to live in Hebron, Palestine, meet a lot of people, help Palestinian refugees, volunteer to teach English to Palestinians children, community members and youth while study Levantine or Palestinian Arabic during the internship program in Hebron. 

This internship program, based in Hebron, West Bank, Palestine is designed for people and students looking for short-term teaching English positions in the Israel & Palestine or Middle East area. We believe this teaching English program provides a unique personal learning opportunity for those who are eager to gain valuable English teaching experience, whilst also wishing to learn Arabic and become immersed in Palestinian culture, politics, and daily life. Volunteers in the West Bank, teach English to Palestinian students and community members who are aged 12 to adult, either one-on-one, in small groups of 2-5, or in English classes of 15-20 students. 

Awards And Recognitions 

We continue to strive towards “excellence”: In 2022 we were rated one of the top three programs worldwide in offering volunteer opportunities and one of the top three language schools worldwide by Go Overseas. We received a total of five Go Overseas Community Choice Awards in 2022. The Excellence Center was also recognized as one of the top Teach Abroad Providers for the category of “benefits” and one of the Top Internship Abroad Providers for the categories of “growth” and “support”. 

We continue to strive towards “excellence”: In 2021 we were rated one of the top three programs worldwide in offering volunteer opportunities. We received the community choice awards by Go Overseas in the categories “best language school”, and voted best on “fun” and “instruction.” 

In 2019, we received our first “Go Overseas Community Choice Awards” to acknowledge the Excellence Center’s impact on the community of travelers around the world. The Excellence Center continues to be a highly rated travel organization across its selection of programs. Check out our many great reviews here:

• +730 Reviews (94%) on Gooverseas.com
• +150 Reviews (96%) on Goabroad.com
• Participants’ video testimonials

NO Experience In Teaching English 

The teaching English program in our Palestinian language school is an amazing internship opportunity for those who have NO experience in teaching English and want to explore teaching, as well as for those with English teaching experience. If you are looking for teaching English opportunities in Jerusalem, Haifa, Jaffa, Tel Aviv, Ramallah, Nablus or in Israel or Palestine in general, this internship program is for you.

Many community members in Hebron, West Bank, including Palestinian children, adults, and refugees, as well as university and school students, are very eager and keen to meet new people in order to learn conversational English, as well as familiarising themselves with foreign cultures.

We Welcome English Teachers Year-Round

All volunteer teachers wishing to teach English in Palestine through our program are welcomed year-round (spring, summer, fall, and winter), so If you are looking for teaching English in Palestine and Israel in summer or winter, this program is suited for you. Our teaching English programs usually run for two to three months. 

Volunteer in Palestine in Hebron, West Bank, offers accessible and affordable teaching English internship programs in Palestine for people interested in helping Palestinians and refugees. We provide a wide range of environments for English teachers to make a difference in a safe and sustainable way, from teaching English as a foreign language to studying and sharing information about Palestine, its culture, places and politics. 

In order to teach English in Hebron, Palestine, academic degrees, such as a university teaching, college degree, or English degree, whilst being welcomed, are not required. Furthermore, Volunteer English teachers in Palestine in our internships do NOT require to have any teaching certification such as:

• ESL: English as a Second Language
• TEFL: Teaching English as a Foreign Language
• TESL: Teaching English as a Second Language
• TESOL: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
• CELTA: Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults

Summer Teaching English Programs

Volunteer In Palestine offers exceptional internship opportunities from June to August for individuals seeking summer teaching English internships or volunteer programs in the West Bank, Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, or Israel.

Whether you are a student, a native English speaker, someone with a summer break, or anyone desiring to serve abroad for an extended period, these summer teaching English volunteer programs and internships are an ideal choice.

These summer Teaching English volunteer programs in the West Bank, Palestine blend a focus on the Palestinian and Levantine Arabic language with comprehensive education, immersion, and involvement in Palestinian culture, politics, and history. You’ll have the opportunity to visit Palestinian refugee camps, local towns, community development centers, as well as Bedouin regions like Susiya, Masafer Yatta, and local villages in the southern Hebron area.

Work with Palestinian Children And Youngsters  

This teaching English program in the West Bank, Palestine will offer you the chance to meet and work with Palestinian children and youth in the city of Hebron as well as in the local Palestinian villages and Palestinian refugee camps. It is worth to mention that more than 70% of our Palestinian students are blow 20 years old.  

Participants’ Responsibilities:

During their time in Palestine, interns instruct English language classes and provide administrative assistance while immersing themselves in the Palestinian culture.

Program interns teach English courses focusing on areas such as conversational English. Key aspects of teaching English in Palestine are as follows:

•  Teach two or three conversational English classes at the Volunteer in Palestine during your internship

• Organize group activities for Palestinian students of English at the Center

• Help with some administrative tasks e.g. writing reports or press releases

• Help other foreigners and Palestinian teachers with their classes

• Organize workshops on different themes including how to write resumes, cover letters and conduct job interviews.

Who Comes To Teach English In Palestine?

Here at Volunteer in Palestine, Hebron, West, Bank Palestine, we pride ourselves on our inclusivity and internationality. Since the Teach English, Study Arabic program started running in June 2011, more than 1000 interns and volunteers have worked with us from different countries including the USA, Germany, United Kingdom, China, Netherlands, Germany, Canada, Spain, Italy, and Switzerland, etc. All our interns were able to gain a more intimate knowledge of Palestinian and Arabic culture and understand the political situation in Palestine better.

In general, the Teach English, Study Arabic in Palestine Program is suitable for:

• University students who study English and wish to have experience in teaching abroad.

• Participants who are over 18 years and would like to immerse themselves in the Palestinian culture and daily life.

• Students who are studying the Middle East or Political science studies

• College students who wish to do a semester abroad and get university credit

• People who wish to work as an English teacher in the future

• Students who are studying about the Palestinian and Israeli history

• Participants who would like to study and practice Arabic

• Everyone willing to help Palestinians learn conversational English

Palestinian or Levantine Arabic Lessons

Interns in Palestine are provided with 12 hours of conversational Palestinian or Levantine Arabic lessons each month. Additionally, you will have plenty of chances to meet many people in Palestine, allowing you to learn the language in context and providing many opportunities to practice your Arabic skills with native speakers.

Interns can freely choose what form of Arabic they would like to learn during their time in the West Bank at Volunteer in Palestine

Arabic Dialects To Learn

Volunteer English teachers in Hebron will receive a choice of Arabic dialects to study during the time in the West Bank. As part of your volunteer placement, we offer a choice of: 

• Shami or Levantine Arabic (Amiyya dialect)
• Colloquial Palestinian Arabic
• Modern Standard Arabic (MSA)
• a mixed Program: (Modern Standard Arabic & Shami Arabic)

Requirements For Our Volunteer English Teachers 

The intern as an English teacher in Palestine project allows participants the opportunity to grow personally and professionally. As such we happily accept volunteers without advanced teaching or language qualifications, but who show an interest and passion in education and a willingness to learn. Any qualification in teaching English, (eg: TEFL, ESL, TESOL,…) is also non-essential.

In the Teach English Study Arabic Program in Palestine you’ll need to meet the following criteria:

• 18+ years of age
• Have a bachelor degree or a diploma (any subject)
• Fluent English

However, we do not require the following:

• Ability to speak Arabic
• Travel experience
• Teaching experience
• To be a native English speaker

Upon completion of teaching English programs in Palestine, Volunteer in Palestine provides the participant with a certificate and a letter of recommendation, able to be used in career resumes or for acquiring university credits.

Support Available

Volunteer in Palestine will provide you, as a volunteering English teacher, as well as English books and teaching materials for all levels, with an English teaching manual. This will guide you on how to teach English to Palestinians, what kind of activities to use, and some specific cultural explanations. 

Furthermore, the center always has at least five Palestinian English teachers on its staff, who are also there to support you and offer a helping hand when necessary. Our centre is a hive of staff and fellow volunteers who would be happy to assist you to plan your English classes and give you some tips and advice. 

Brief information on the Teach English, Study Arabic Program in Palestine

Brief Information Program’s Costs:

We charge a cost of 750 Euro a month or 250 Euro per week depending on how long you stay since Volunteer In Palestine does not receive funding from any governmental or non-governmental organizations. These costs also include:

• Community breakfast at the center each morning
• Accommodation
• Pre-departure and in-country support
• Arabic classes (3 hours a week)
• Certificate of completion
• Visits to various locations within the city of Hebron, such as the old city, glass and ceramic factories, local businesses, refugee camps, public parks, and local universities like the Palestine Polytechnic University and Hebron University

Homestay During Your Time In Hebron

Volunteer in Palestine aims to achieve social discourse through cultural immersion. The center provides the Teach English, Study Arabic Program’s participants homestays in Hebron, West Bank as follows:

• Female participants have the opportunity to live with a designated Palestinian host family in the local Hebron area

• Male participants are able to stay in male dorms provided at the Volunteer in Palestine, Hebron, West Bank, Palestine 

• Private rooms can also be arranged, although these naturally come with an additional fee

What Do You Get From The Volunteer In Palestine? 

Participants of the teach English Internship program in Hebron, West Bank, Palestine will be provided with:

• 12 hours of conversational Palestinian Arabic lessons for each month they intern. Participants also can study MSA, Fusha or colloquial Arabic.

• Accommodation with a Palestinian host family or a shared flat.

• Breakfast with other participants (6 times a week)

• Support during their time in Palestine

• Visits to various sites in the city of Hebron (refugee camps in Hebron, the old city, different factories, etc.)

• Understanding of the Palestinian politics and experience the occupation of the West Bank 

•  Get to know the Human Rights situations and helping the Palestinian refugees. 

• Engagement in educational, community and social activities

• The hospitality of Palestinians and the pleasant climate offer a great attraction to overseas students.

• The teaching English internship will give you the opportunity to live in and gain impressions from one of the most politically divisive and ambivalent regions of the Middle East.

• The teaching English Program will provide you the chance to visit unique tourist attractions with a particular native perspective – locations including Bethlehem, Ramallah, Nablus, Hebron, Tulkarm, Qalqilyah, Jenin and the Dead Sea in Jericho.

• Visit nearby cities such as Akko, Herzliya, Beersheva, Eilat, Tiberias, Netanya, Safed, Haifa, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Masada, Amman, Aqaba, Wadi Rum, and Nazareth.

• Our center is staffed by well-qualified, attentive Arabic teachers, each with an excellent educational background, ready and happy to help you.

• The Volunteer in Palestine will provide participants a certificate upon completion.

Program Duration

Volunteer in Palestine offers Teach English, Study Arabic in Palestine positions year-round. Applicants decide when they would like to start and end their programs. We are very flexible when it comes to starting dates and duration. The length of this program is flexible within a 1- 13 weeks period.

Arabic Language Requirements & Tips

Although you should know the basics of Arabic before you come to teach English in Hebron, West Bank, don’t worry if you do not have it; Volunteer in Palestine team is happy to help you. Many Palestinians also speak good English, so you will be fore sure fine 

Furthermore, your Arabic language skills will come on at a fast pace once arrived to Hebron, West Bank, Palestine. The Arabic lessons you get during the program will help. 

Traveling To Palestine On Your Own?

Interested in teaching English in Hebron, Palestine, but worried about being on your own? No worries, you’ve come to the right place!

Volunteer in Palestine hosts participants in the Teach English, Study Arabic Program year-round. You will have many chances to meet several international participants as well as Palestinian students at the center and in the city of Hebron, West Bank. Any prior visitors to Israel/ Palestine can attest that Palestinians, especially in Hebron, appreciate meeting new people from different cultures, exchanging ideas and experiences.

Moreover, the center hosts many international visitors from around the world who will be studying Arabic in Palestine or interning at the Center. You will engage with them in educational and community activities. Moreover, you will work together as a team.

Additionally, everyone at Volunteer in Palestine including Palestinian students, international visitors, and EC’s staff – is like one big family. Finally, Hebron is a good place for international visitors to stay and offers a great social atmosphere. There are always activities to share and memories to create.

How To Fly To Palestine?

Palestine does not have any airports in the West Bank or Gaza strip. Palestinians use either the airports in Jordan or Egypt to travel abroad. However, international volunteers and interns including English teachers in Palestine can fly to Israeli airports and then cross to the West Bank, Palestine.

Unfortunately, there are no airports in Palestine; as such it is currently impossible to fly directly into the West Bank. We believe the easiest ways to get to the Volunteer in Palestine are:

• To fly to Ben Gurion, Tel Aviv Airport (in Israel). It takes about two and a half hours from the airport to Volunteer in Palestine in Hebron via shared Taxi.

• You can fly to Eilat airport in Israel and then travel by booking a shuttle or taking a bus to Jerusalem and then to Hebron. The whole trip can last between 6-7 hours.

• You can also fly to Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan, and then cross to Palestine, but this route takes more time and is more expensive.

Traveling To And From Hebron, West Bank

We know that many participants in the Teach English, Study Arabic Program in Palestine, especially those traveling in the Israel/ Palestine region for the first time, naturally have queries on issues such as:

• How to get to Hebron, West Bank,
• How to make your way to the Volunteer in Palestine once arriving
• Transportation in the area; which taxi you should take
• How to cross the checkpoints in the West Bank.

Hopefully all the necessary information about how to get to Hebron, Palestine and the Volunteer in Palestine and some useful contact information is provided in these four articles:

• How to fly to Palestine
• How to get to Hebron, Palestine
• Planning your trip to Palestine
• How to get from the Ben Gurion Airport (Israel) to Hebron

For any further questions, you are always welcome to get in touch with us.

Safety Of Our Volunteers And Interns: 

The region of Palestine has not been stable for the last few decades, there is always unrest and war, sometimes it becomes more volatile and at other times it’s calmer. Nonetheless, each year millions of tourists visit Palestine and the West Bank including Hebron, Ramallah, Bethlehem, Jenin, Tulkarem, Nablus, and many other cities without any safety issues. Palestinians in general are welcoming and hospitable people. They recognize that the politics of a country and its people may differ.  

Since it was formed in 2011, the Volunteer in Palestine has welcomed over 1000 international visitors. These visitors lived and worked in Hebron for a few weeks or months. Overall they did not face any threat nor were they unsafe in Hebron or the West Bank.

Moreover, Volunteer in Palestine is situated in an area of Hebron which is under the Palestinian Authority and in the heart of the city. Our Palestinian host families and the male dorms are located near the Volunteer in Palestine too. 

How To Get A Visa To Palestine?

International participants of the Teach English whilst Learning Arabic scheme at Volunteer in Palestine are generally given a tourist visa for three months when they fly to Israeli airports, or cross from Jordan to the West Bank. (This is the reason the program has a maximum 3 month span.)

In general, no prior visa is needed for Americans, Canadians, and most Europeans in order to enter Palestine. Please refer to the visa exemption agreement. Upon your arrival at the Israeli Airports in Tel Aviv or Eilat, you will be granted a tourist visa that is valid for 90 days which enables you to travel around Palestine and Israel.

Pre-Departure Support 

Volunteer in Palestine in Palestine will organize calls with you via Zoom or Whatsapp, write invitation letters, send travel instructions, and give you advice on different topics related to your travels.

How To Apply

Please send us an email to Info@ecpalestine.org,  please write Teach English And Study Arabic in the West Bank in the subject line. We will then send you the application form.

Related Internship Programs

Get Further Information 

For more information, please visit our website: https://excellencenter.org/

Engage in Palestine: https://ecpalestine.org/

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