The Conversational English Volunteering Program in Palestine, lasting from 1 to 12 weeks, is designed for individuals with little or no prior experience teaching English. This program provides an excellent opportunity to gain teaching experience with the support of skilled and experienced teachers from the Palestine Center.
Participants will teach conversational English to Palestinians, including children aged 7 to 13, adults, and other community members. The program also facilitates meaningful connections with the Palestinian community. In addition to teaching, participants will enjoy scheduled trips to various locations in Hebron and a daily Palestinian breakfast provided by the Palestine Center. At the end of the program, participants will receive a certificate of participation and a recommendation letter.
The Significance of Palestinians Being Able to Speak English
Palestinians are highly receptive to learning English for several compelling reasons, which reflect both practical and intellectual motivations. Here are the primary reasons why Palestinians are eager to learn English:
- Global Communication: English is spoken in more than 80 countries worldwide. Proficiency in English allows Palestinians to communicate effectively on an international level, facilitating cultural exchange and global networking.
- Educational Opportunities: Many Palestinians aspire to study abroad where English is the primary medium of instruction. Proficiency in English is often a prerequisite for admission to international universities and for success in academic pursuits abroad.
- Employment Prospects: Mastery of English can significantly enhance job prospects, both locally and internationally. Many multinational companies and organizations use English as their working language, and proficiency can open doors to better job opportunities and career advancement.
- Cultural and Intellectual Engagement: Learning English provides access to a vast array of cultural and intellectual resources. Palestinians with an interest in other cultures and languages find English a valuable tool for exploring diverse perspectives and knowledge.
- Educational Integration: English is an integral part of the curriculum in all Palestinian schools and universities. This widespread inclusion underscores the importance of English in the educational framework and prepares students for future academic and professional endeavors.
The increasing demand for English language education among Palestinians reflects a broader global trend and highlights the strategic importance of English proficiency in today’s interconnected world.
Location of the Conversational English Volunteering Program in Palestine
The Teach English in Palestine Program is located in the heart of Palestine, in the city of Hebron. Known as Al-Khalil in Arabic, Hebron is situated in the southern part of the West Bank, approximately 30 kilometers (19 miles) south of Jerusalem. The city itself has a population of about 300,000 residents, with an additional 500,000 people living in the surrounding villages.
What is included in the Conversational English Volunteering Program in Palestine?
- Conversational English Volunteering Program in Palestine simply includes teaching English to Palestinian children ages 6-12-year-old, adults, and community members (you can choose which target group you want to work with).
- You will be focusing on the conversational part of the language which includes how to deal in situations, how to answer questions, and how to know the very important words that someone needs in certain subjects.
Learn Arabic Language While Volunteering
We offer two classes every week, each lasting 1.5 hours. Together, these classes give you 3 hours of immersive Arabic language learning. This helps you understand Arabic culture and communication better.
Improve English Through Friendly Conversations
Our main goal is to help you speak and understand English. We have friendly conversations with students of all ages and genders to help them become better at English. We believe that improving their conversation skills can open up more opportunities in life and connect them with people from different places.
Live with a Palestinian Host Family
Staying with a Palestinian family is a unique opportunity. It helps you learn the language and understand the culture and daily life of your hosts. You’ll get a window into their traditions, values, and hospitality, which enriches your learning experience. It’s a chance to build connections and appreciate Palestinian life even more.
Explore Refugee Camps on Day Trips
We organize day trips to refugee camps in Hebron and Bethlehem. These trips let you see the lives of refugees up close. Spending time in these camps helps you understand their challenges and resilience. It’s an eye-opening experience that broadens your horizons, builds empathy, and deepens your understanding of these locations.
City Tours in Hebron
Our program includes day tours in Hebron. You’ll explore key areas, each with a unique story. These tours let you learn about the city’s history and contemporary life. You’ll also visit local factories to understand the local economy and craftsmanship. This offers a comprehensive experience, helping you appreciate the culture and life in Hebron.
Our Achievements
- Experience in organizing international volunteer & internship programs for more than 12 years.
- Hosting international participants from more than 42 countries around the world.
- Cooperation & partnerships with more than 30 local community organizations in Hebron and Bethlehem.
- Our teachers & staff participated in various of international trainings and workshops in Europe and Middle East, including Spain, Germany, Belgium, Finland, Cyprus, Jordan, Turkey and India.
- GO Palestine is the representative of the International Kangaroo Mathematics Competition in Hebron.
- Partnerships with international organizations, including Go Abroad, Go Overseas, Idealist, Hey Success, Volunteer Match, and others.
Cook Authentic Palestinian Dishes Together
In our program, you’ll have a culinary adventure. You’ll actively participate in preparing authentic Palestinian dishes. It’s a chance to learn and bond over cooking while enjoying the flavors of the region. This experience helps you connect with the community and create lasting memories.
Explore Beyond Hebron: Two Days Off Weekly
We understand the importance of exploring the region. That’s why we give you two days off each week to venture beyond Hebron. You can discover other enchanting places in Palestine, such as Bethlehem, Nablus, Ramallah, Jericho, and Jerusalem. These days off are designed to give you the freedom to travel, learn, and create memories beyond Hebron, ensuring a well-rounded and enriching experience.
From one Week to three months
The Teach English in the West Bank program is adaptable. You can apply at any time during the year, depending on your availability. You can tailor your program from a minimum of one week to a maximum of three weeks, regardless of the time of year you wish to attend the teaching English program.
The advantages of the Teach English in the West Bank Program
By participating in this program, you get the following:
- Teach Palestinian children, adults, and community members and interact with them.
- Learn how to manage an individual English class.
- Learn new simple methods of teaching English.
- Participating in our social and community activities.
- Engaging in the Palestinian community.
- Accommodation, including either staying with a local host family or at our 8th-floor apartment. Private accommodation is also available with extra fees.
- Three hours of Arabic lessons per week – Two classes/1,5 hours a class.
- Daily Palestinian breakfast.
- Local visits to different places e.g. old city, and meeting with Palestinian families in Hebron city.
- Day Trips every Monday to refugee camps in Hebron & Bethlehem & some areas of political importance.
- At the completion of the program, you will get a participation certificate and a recommendation letter.
What if this is my first experience teaching English?
If this will be the first time you teach English, don’t worry, our local teachers will be there for you. They will definitely guide, assist and provide you with all needed materials. In addition, at the beginning of the program, you will be attending English classes to see how teachers manage their classes which give you the time to be prepared.
Teach English in The West Bank Program Fees
250$
American DollarThis includes accommodation, local visits, 3 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
480$
American DollarThis includes accommodation, local visits, 6 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
595$
American DollarThis includes accommodation, local visits, 9 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
690$
American DollarThis includes accommodation, local visits, 12 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
845$
American DollarThis includes accommodation, local visits, 15 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
1070$
American DollarThis includes accommodation, local visits, 18 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
1215$
American DollarThis includes accommodation, local visits, 21 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
1450$
American DollarThis includes accommodation, local visits, 24 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
1630$
American DollarThis includes accommodation, local visits, 27 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
1810$
American DollarThis includes accommodation, local visits, 30 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
1990$
American DollarThis includes accommodation, local visits, 33 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
2250$
American DollarThis includes accommodation, local visits, 36 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
What does the Participation Fee include?
| Accommodation | Host family or at our 8th-floor apartment Private accommodation is available with extra fees |
| Arabic Lessons | 3 Hours a Week – Two Classes/ 1,5 hours of Arabic lessons each |
| Meals | Daily Palestinian breakfast |
| Day Trips | To refugee camps in Hebron & Bethlehem & some areas of political importance |
| Sightseeing | Historical & politically important places in the city of Hebron |
| Certificate | Certificate of participation & recommendation letter at the end of the program |
How to pay the fees? (Payment Options)
- You may pay your participation fees either by Bank Transfer or by Western Union or MoneyGram. Payment via Western Union and MoneyGram, you can do the transfer online using your credit card.
- Payment of fees and signing of the participation contract must be made to reserve your place in the program.
- In participation fees that exceed $800, the applicant can pay 40% in advance and the rest of the 60% must be paid 45 days before the date of participation.
- Unfortunately, the participation fees can’t be paid in cash, as we arrange your participation ahead of time.
Who may apply for the Teach English in the West Bank Program?
- The Palestinian Center has hosted people who have come from a myriad of countries, such as the USA, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Colombia, France, Japan, China, Chile, Switzerland, Russia, Germany, and many more.
- Since this program focuses on the conversational part of the language then this program fits those who have or have no experience in teaching English, what you need is to speak English very well and have management skills.
- The Center welcomes all people who are 18 to 70 years old to apply to the Teach English in the West Bank Program. Academic or professional degrees are not required to join the program.
| Place of Program | Hebron (H1 – Under Palestinian Control), Palestine |
| Program Fees | Starting From 250$ – American Dollar |
| Age | 18-75 Years Old |
| Minimum Duration of Teach English in The West Bank Program | One Week |
| Maximum Duration of Teach English in The West Bank Program | Three Months – 12 Weeks |
| Type of English Classes | Only Individual Classes |
| Teaching Hours | 4-5 hours a day – 5 days a week |
| Starting/Ending Dates | Flexible – Anytime |
| Application Deadline | No Deadline |
| Program Language | English |
| Days off | Two days including Fridays & Thursdays or Saturdays |
| Arabic Lessons | 3 Hours a Week – Standard Arabic Or Ammiya |
| Educational Degree | Not Required |
| University Credit | Available |
When will I be able to apply to the Program?
- We work year-round. Volunteers and interns decide when he/she is available to participate. We are very flexible when it comes to starting and ending dates.
- Participants freely choose their volunteer or internship period.
Is it necessary for me to know Arabic?
- No, volunteers are not obligated to know Arabic. The center will provide you with 3 hours of Arabic lessons each week with one of our teachers.
- The participant can choose either to study Modern Standard Arabic (Fusha) or Spoken Arabic Language (known as Ammyia) once they start their program.
Can I add extra Arabic hours to my program hours?
Yes, volunteers can add additional Arabic language instruction hours. Please mention this in your application.
Things to know before visiting Palestine!
| Living Costs in Palestine | Approx. 50-70$ a Week |
| Weekend in Palestine | On Friday |
| Food in Palestine | The West Bank engages primarily in heavier meals involving the use of bread, rice, and meat, and coastal plain inhabitants frequent fish, other seafood, and lentils. |
| Wifi Access in Palestine | At houses, cafes, restaurants – Almost everywhere |
| 3G Service in Palestine | Available since Jan 2018 |
| The official language in Palestine | Arabic – Palestinian Dialect (One of the Levantine dialects) |
| Currency in Palestine | Mainly Israeli Shekel (NIS). Jordanian Dinar & American Dollars are also used in buying Real estate and land. |
| Transportations in Palestine | Yellow Taxies & Orange Mini-Vans |
| Weather in Palestine | Summer (25-30°C), Winter (0-9°C) |
| Nearest Major Airports to Palestine | Ben Gurion Airport in Israel if you travel via Israel Alia International Airport if you travel via Jordan |
Combanition option!
Yes, this program can be combined with one or more of the other internship or volunteer programs that the Center offers. For example, you may choose one week or more to complete this program, and combine this with another week or more of another program. Don’t worry, you will fill out one application.
May I extend my program duration while I am there?
Yes, volunteers are allowed to extend their participation period. In this case, volunteers must inform the center coordinator at least one week before the end of the current program.
What can be added to your volunteer program? “EXTRAS“
What is the application process?
- First, send us an email asking for the application form.
- We send you the application, and you fill out the application and send it back to us.
- We invite you for an interview by means of a Skype/WhatsApp call.
- We will send you then a confirmation form which you fill out and return to us.
- We prepare and send you the Invitation Letter and the Contract. We will also send you the invoice for payment, which will include all the information regarding payment options.
- You will sign the contract and make payment in order to reserve your place in the program.
- We will send you an Orientation Booklet and travel instructions. These two items will provide you with all the information on how to get to Hebron and contact the Center. One of our coordinators will provide his/her contact number within an email sent to you.
Documents you’ll receive from us!
Important Articles to READ – Please Click to Read
How to apply or request more information?
Please email Mr. Tamimi, at info@gopalestine.org. Please type “Conversational English Volunteering Program in Palestine” in the subject line. In the body of the email, tell us of your interest, ask any questions you may have, and request an application. Very shortly, we will reply to you.
