The Masa Teaching Fellows Program is an initiative in Israel designed for Jewish ESL teachers, who are native English speakers, from around the world. Over a duration of 10 months, participants:
- Engage with students in public schools across diverse Israeli communities.
- Focus on enhancing English skills, from reading and writing to grammar and conversation.
- Enjoy a hands-on teaching experience, regardless of prior teaching exposure.
- Immerse themselves in both professional and personal growth amidst Israel's rich culture and history.
Note: No prior teaching background or proficiency in Hebrew is required.
Table of Contents
What are the requirements for the Masa Teaching Fellows Program?
What locations does the program cover in Israel, and can I pick my placement?
Is the program open to Israeli citizens?
What benefits does the Masa Teaching Fellows Program offer?
What are the requirements for the Masa Teaching Fellows Program?
To be eligible for the Masa Teaching Fellows Program, applicants must fulfill the following criteria:
- Identify as Jewish and be a native English speaker.
- Aged between 20 and 35 from any country.
- Possess a Bachelor's Degree by mid-September of the application year.
- Commit to a 10-month program (from late August to early July) with a workload of 30-35 hours weekly. This may encompass both classroom teaching and community volunteer roles.
- A fee of $1,000 is required, which includes accommodations, Hebrew lessons, teacher training, seminars, cultural explorations, and health coverage.
What locations does the program cover in Israel, and can I pick my placement?
The Masa Teaching Fellows Program is active in 14 regions across Israel, including Haifa, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Ashdod, Netanya, and Bat Yam. You can state your location preference, but there are no guarantees as placements depend on availability. The demographics of your students may also differ based on location. You may be teaching secular or Israeli Jews, immigrant children from Ethiopia or the former Soviet Union, or even Christian or Muslim Israeli Arabs.
Also read: Where can I join a TEFL placement program in Europe?
Is the program open to Israeli citizens?
As the program primarily targets volunteers from abroad, it is typically not open to Israeli citizens. Officially, if you hold Israeli citizenship, you should have left the country before turning 14 and have resided outside Israel for at least four consecutive years before applying.
What benefits does the Masa Teaching Fellows Program offer?
The Masa Teaching Fellows Program offers participants a range of valuable benefits:
- Certified Teacher Compensation: Monthly stipend of 4,000 NIS (roughly $1,090 USD).
- Non-Certified Teacher Compensation: Monthly stipend of 1,750 NIS (approximately $480 USD).
- Flight Reimbursement: Up to $1,000 of your flight expenses will be reimbursed upon successful completion of the 10-month program.
- Cultural Exploration: In addition to teaching, participants are treated to various cultural activities, encompassing Israel's vibrant history and scenic landscapes.
