The Teach English and Study Arabic in Palestine Program (TESA) is for all English native and non-native speakers. If you’re an undergraduate, graduate, professional or retired individual looking for an English teaching opportunity in the West Bank, Israel, Middle East or wider Arabic world, this program is for you.
By living in Hebron, Palestine, for the duration of your volunteering at the Excellence Center, you will be able to meet a variety of people, help Palestinian refugees and teach English to children and community members whilst also studying Levantine Arabic as part of your schedule.
This internship is designed for individuals looking for a unique, short-term English teaching position; one which allows you to be immersed in Palestinian culture, politics and daily life whilst teaching community members aged 12+ on either a one-on-one basis, in small groups of 2-5, or in larger groups of 15-20 in a safe and sustainable way.
As well as for those who have taught English as a foreign language, our program is also an amazing internship for those who have had NO prior experience in teaching English and want to explore the role in depth. Whether you want to teach in villages and refugee camps in areas such as Jerusalem, Haifa, Jaffa, Tel Aviv, Ramallah, Nablus, Palestine or Israel in general, this program is ideal, particularly as our students are eager and keen to meet new people, learn conversational English and familiarize themselves with other cultures.
We Welcome English Teachers Year-Round
All volunteer teachers wishing to teach English in Palestine through our TESA program are welcomed year-round, so regardless if it’s summer or winter, if you’re willing to spare anywhere from one week to three months, this program welcomes you. For the sake of immersion and integration in the Palestinian cultural and daily life, we recommend participating for at least 2 months.
Furthermore, although preferred, in order to teach English in Palestine, academic degrees (such as university teaching, college degrees or English degrees), are not necessary. You are also NOT required 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 Adult
Who Comes to Teach English in Palestine?
Here at the Excellence Center, we pride ourselves on our inclusivity and internationality. Since the Teach English, Study Arabic program started in June 2011, more than 1000 interns and volunteers have worked with us from different countries including the USA, Germany, UK, China, Netherlands, Canada, Spain, Italy and Switzerland.
In general, the TESA program is suitable for:
- University students who study English and wish to have experience in teaching a semester abroad to gain university credit
- Those interested in immersing themselves in Palestinian culture and daily life
- Students who are studying Middle Eastern, Palestinian and Israeli history or political science
- People who wish to work as an English teacher in the future
- People who would like to study and practice Arabic with native speakers
- People who are willing to help Palestinians learn conversational English
Reviews and Community Awards
The Excellence Center in Palestine has welcomed individuals from all over the world since 2011. While we continuously develop our programs to provide the best possible learning experience, the center’s fundamental mission remains the same: to connect, teach and develop individuals within the local and international community.
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
- +160 reviews (96%) on goabroad.com
- Numerous participant video testimonials
Learning Arabic
Furthermore, interns will be provided with 12 hours of conversational Arabic lessons each month or 3 hours each week, with the form of Arabic chosen by you. You can study:
- Shami or Levantine Arabic (Amiyya dialect)
- Colloquial Palestinian Arabic
- Modern Standard Arabic (MSA)
- A mixed schedule: (e.g. Modern Standard Arabic & Shami Arabic)
Requirements for Our Volunteer English Teachers
To intern as an English teacher in Palestine, you’ll need to meet the following criteria:
- Be 18+ years
- Have a bachelor degree or diploma (in any subject), or be a current undergraduate
- Be fluent in English
- Have the ability to volunteer for a minimum of 1 week and a maximum of 3 months.
However, we do not require:
- The ability to speak Arabic
- Travel experience
- Teaching experience
- Being a native English speaker
Additionally, upon completion of the program, the Excellence Center will provide you with a certificate and letter of recommendation, able to be used for resumes or for acquiring university credits.
Additionally, upon completion of the program, the Excellence Center will provide you with a certificate and letter of recommendation, able to be used for resumes or for acquiring university credits.
Support Available at the Excellence Center
To aid you in your role, we will provide you with English books and teaching materials for all levels, alongside an English teaching manual which offers you practical guidance on how to teach English to Palestinians, including what types of activities to use and any specific cultural explanations.
More importantly, the center always has at least five Palestinian English teachers on its staff, who are there to support you and offer a helping hand when necessary. This is in addition to the hive of fellow volunteers who would be happy to assist you and give you tips and advice.
Brief information on the Teach English, Study Arabic Program in Palestine
| Place of Program | Hebron, West Bank |
| Program Fees | 750€ a month 250€ a week |
| Age | 18-75 |
| Minimum Duration | 1 week |
| Maximum Duration | 13 Weeks |
| Starting/Ending Dates | Flexible |
| Application Deadline | No deadline |
| Program Language | English |
| Suitable For | Students Those seeking Internships Recent Graduates New Teachers Experienced Teachers First time Travellers Experienced Travellers Language Learners Retirees Researchers |
| Timeframe | Short Term Spring Break Summer Winter Year Round |
| Program Focus | Teach English in West Bank Teach English to Palestinian refugees Volunteer to teach English to Palestinian children Internship Teaching English |
| Days off | Two days per week (Fri – Sun) |
| Arabic Lessons | 3 hours per week |
| Educational Degree | Undergraduate or graduate |
| University Credit | Available |
| Number of volunteer English teachers | 3-5 |
| Program’s Reviews | Reviews & ratings (95%) on Gooverseas.com Reviews & ratings (91%) on Goabroad.com Teach English participants’ video testimonials |
Program’s Fees
Monthly fee of 750€ or 250€ a week.
Included into these costs are: breakfast each day, local accommodation, Arabic classes, as well as guided tours of various different facets of the city of Hebron. Places to visit include: the historical Hebron city centre, glass and ceramic factories, local companies, local refugee camps, and public parks as well as local universities such as the Palestine Polytechnic University and Hebron University
Homestay During Your Time in Hebron
Homestay during your time in Hebron
The Excellence Center aims to achieve social discourse through cultural immersion and as such, provides participants with homestays in Hebron:
- Female participants have the opportunity to live with a designated Palestinian host family in the local area
- Male participants are able to stay in male dorms provided at the Excellence Center
- Private rooms can also be arranged, although these naturally come with an additional fee
Teach English, Speak Arabic Participants’ Responsibilities:
During your time in Palestine, you will instruct English language classes and provide administrative assistance whilst being immersed in the Palestinian culture, leading to professional and personal growth.
Key aspects of TESA include:
- Teaching two or three conversational English classes at the center
- Organizing group activities for Palestinian students of English
- Helping with some administrative tasks e.g. writing reports or press releases
- Helping other foreigners and Palestinian teachers with their classes
- Organizing workshops on different themes including how to write resumes, cover letters and conduct job interviews
What Do You Get From the Excellence Center?
- 12 hours of Arabic lessons for each month you intern or 3 hours a week
- Accommodation with a Palestinian host family or a shared flat
- Breakfast with other participants (6 times a week)
- Pre-departure and support during your time in Palestine
- Visits to various sites in the city of Hebron (including refugee camps, the old city, different factories, etc.)
- Understanding of Palestinian politics and the experience of occupation in the West Bank
- Getting to know the human rights situation and helping the Palestinian refugees.
- Engagement in educational, social and community activities
- Palestinian hospitality and a pleasant climate
- Living and gaining impressions from one of the most politically divisive and ambivalent regions of the Middle East
- The opportunity to visit unique tourist attractions with a native perspective – including Bethlehem, Ramallah, Nablus, Hebron, Tulkarm, Qalqilyah, Jenin and the Dead Sea in Jericho
- Visiting nearby cities both nationally and internationally such as Akko, Herzliya, Beersheva, Eilat, Tiberias, Netanya, Safed, Haifa, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Masada, Amman, Aqaba, Wadi Rum, and Nazareth
- Help from well-qualified, attentive Arabic teachers with excellent educational backgrounds
- A certificate upon completion
Arabic Language Requirements and Tips
Although it is desirable to know the basics of Arabic before you come to teach English in Hebron, don’t worry if you don’t have it; The Excellence Center is happy to help you and many Palestinians also speak good English.
Furthermore, your Arabic language skills will come on at a fast pace once you arrive and the Arabic lessons will certainly help in this too!
Traveling to Teach English in Palestine on Your Own?
Interested in teaching English in Hebron but worried about being on your own? No worries, you’ve come to the right place!
The Excellence Center hosts participants in the TESA Program year-round and you will have many chances to meet several international participants as well as Palestinian students at the center and in the city of Hebron. Any prior visitors to Israel/ Palestine can attest that Palestinians, especially in Hebron, appreciate meeting new people from different cultures and exchanging ideas and experiences.
Moreover, the center hosts many international visitors who will be studying Arabic in Palestine or interning at the center. Working together as a team, you will engage with them in educational and community activities.
Additionally, everyone at the Excellence Center including Palestinian students, international visitors and EC’s staff, are like one big family. With Hebron a brilliant city for international visitors to stay, there are always activities to share and memories to create in its vibrant social scene.
How to Fly to Palestine?
Palestine does not have any airports in the West Bank or Gaza strip and Palestinians use either the airports in Jordan or Egypt to travel abroad. However, international volunteers and interns can fly to Israeli airports and then cross to Palestine.
To Get to Hebron, We Advise:
Flying to Ben Gurion, Tel Aviv Airport in Israel. It then takes about two and a half hours from the airport to the Excellence Center via shared taxi.
Alternatively:
Flying to Eilat airport in the south of Israel and then traveling by shuttle or by taking a bus to Jerusalem and then to Hebron. However, the duration of the trip can last between six and seven hours.
Flying to Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan and then crossing the border to Palestine. However, this 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 Excellence Center once arriving
- Transportation in the area; which taxi you should take
- How to cross the checkpoints in the West Bank.
All of the answers to these questions (and more), as well as useful contact information, is provided in these four highly recommended 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 welcome to get in touch with us.
Tel Aviv Airport Pickups
The Excellence Center staff can organize a taxi to pick you up at Ben Gurion Airport and take you straight to Hebron and the Center. This is the easiest and fastest way (about an hour, 60 km/37 miles) to get to the Excellence Center.
Additional fees apply, the trip costs about 160 Euro. Please Contact the Excellence Center staff if you are interested in this option.
Safety of Our Volunteers and Interns:
The region of Palestine has not been stable for the last few decades and 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 and they recognize that the politics of the country and its people may differ.
Since it was formed in 2011, the Excellence Center has welcomed over 1000 international visitors. These visitors lived and worked in Hebron for a few weeks or months and overall, they did not face any threat nor were they unsafe in Hebron or the West Bank.
Moreover, the Excellence Centre is situated in an area of Hebron which is under the Palestinian Authority and is in the heart of the city. Our Palestinian host families and the male dorms are also located near the Excellence Center too.
How to Get a Visa to Palestine?
International participants of the Teach English, Study Arabic program are generally given a three month tourist visa to freely travel around Israel and Palestine 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. For other nationalities, please refer to the visa exemption agreement.
Pre-Departure Support
The Excellence Center in Palestine will organize calls with you via Skype or Whatsapp, write invitation letters, send travel instructions and give you advice on different topics related to your travels as needed.
How to Apply
Please send an email to Rafat@excellencenter.org, writing Teach English, Study Arabic Program in Palestine in the subject line. We will then send you the application form.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Rafat@excellencenter.org
Related Internship Programs
Get Further Information
For more information, please visit our website: https://excellencenter.org/
Whatsapp:+972 599 479 880
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excellence.center
Engage in Palestine: https://ecpalestine.org/
Volunteer in Palestine: https://volunteerinpalestine.org/
Study in Palestine: https://studyinpalestine.org/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ExcellenceCenter
Facebook account: https://www.facebook.com/RafatECHebron
Watch us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsQSLdFZWZcBm6Uj0XMYuKg
Visit and Explore Palestine: https://www.facebook.com/ExplorePalestine
