FAQs
You have questions? We’ve got answers! Our most frequently asked questions are answered below. If you don't find the answer you're looking for, contact us to learn more.
ABOUT
A 10-month, hands-on service program which brings exemplary college graduates from English-speaking countries to teach English in Israel. Our goal is to address Israel’s educational achievement gap and the widespread underperformance of youth in low-income communities.
Masa Israel Teaching Fellows is made possible by the generous support of Masa Israel and the Ministry of Education of the State of Israel. Masa Israel is a joint venture of The Jewish Agency for Israel and the Government of Israel.
To be eligible for the subsidized terms of the program, you must:
- Identify as Jewish
- Have completed a bachelor’s degree before the start of the MITF program
- Not have Israeli citizenship OR if you do, you must have left Israel before the age of 14 and have lived outside of Israel for at least four consecutive years prior to receiving a Masa Israel grant or scholarship
- Have not been on an organized post-high school program (including an academic program) of four months or longer in Israel since September 2004
- Have not spent four consecutive months or longer in Israel within the 24 month period prior to the start of your program after the age of 18
NOTE: Applicants who have received a Masa grant in the past or participated in a four month or longer Israel program are eligible to participate in Masa Israel Teaching Fellows but are not eligible for the Masa grant. The cost of participation for prior Masa grant recipients is $5,500 USD. However, those ineligible for the grant *are* eligible to receive the full teaching stipend and flight reimbursement.
APPLYING
It’s easy to sign up. The full process is explained here.
Fellows are responsible for paying $1,000 USD for the full 10-month experience. However, you will be compensated for your work during the program. Certified teachers will earn a monthly stipend of 4,000 NIS (about $1,150 USD) and will, after initial training, teach their own English classes. English teaching assistants (non-certified teachers), will earn a monthly cash stipend of 1,750 NIS (about $500 USD). You will also be reimbursed up to $1,000 USD for the cost of your flight upon completion of the program.
The $1,000 USD program fee includes accommodations, Hebrew classes, teaching training, health insurance, trips to explore Israel, and other enrichment activities. Note that if your flight to Israel was provided by Birthright Israel, you must submit documentation of your return ticket home to be reimbursed for your flight.
A $300 USD deposit is due immediately in order to save a spot and is non-refundable. We ask for the program deposit in order to ensure you are serious about participation. Submitting the deposit allows us to save you a spot, prepare you to potentially be allocated a MASA grant, and move forward with preparing the program for you.
A $700 USD program fee is due at least three months prior to the start of the program and is non-refundable.
If you have participated in a four-month or longer Israel program, then you are not eligible for the $4,500 USD discounted fee. You are still eligible to participate in Masa Israel Teaching Fellows, but you will be responsible for the full $5,500 USD total cost of the program. You are still eligible to receive the teaching stipend and flight reimbursement.
Admission for Masa Israel Teaching Fellows is on a rolling basis. We are currently accepting applications from exceptional candidates. Don’t delay – space is very limited and we do expect to reach full capacity!
TEACHING
If you are nervous about not knowing Hebrew prior to arrival, don't worry! We find it more beneficial for the students to learn from you – and with you – as they teach you their favorite Hebrew phrases. Note that Teaching Fellows will receive Hebrew instruction at the start of the year (~40 academic hours) with the option to continue learning on their own.
You are NOT on your own! If you are doing the Fellows track (non-certified teachers), you will work as a teaching assistant alongside a certified Israeli teacher. You and your certified teacher will work together.
If you are doing the Teachers track (certified teachers), you will be a co-lead teacher alongside a Host teacher, an Israeli English teacher. The two of you will work together.
This varies. Usually, Fellows are placed in a school with another Fellow. This depends on school needs as well as Fellows’ preferences. If you have a request, please let us know.
This varies by track:
Fellows and Teachers track (Netanya, Jerusalem, Be’er Sheva): You will be placed in an elementary school, grades 3-6, in a public school setting. Some of these schools may be secular and some more religious.
Religious track (Jerusalem): You will be placed in an elementary school, grades 3-6, in a religious, public school setting.
Youth Village Track (Netanya & Jerusalem): You will be working with high school students in a boarding school-type setting. This track is intended for those who are interested in a non-traditional classroom setting, working with at-risk youth, and are excited to mentor and connect with the students who live in the village.
STEM Track (Be’er Sheva): You will teach children between the ages of 10-12 years old. As a part of your 25 weekly hours at the school, you will be able to dedicate 15 weekly hours for STEM and 10 weekly hours for English. The methodology incorporates project-based learning (PBL), meaning students will apply their English to create projects on STEM-based topics.
*Regardless of which track you are placed in, you will still be part of the one of our three city cohorts (Netanya, Jerusalem, Be’er Sheva) and live with other Fellows in your cohort
If you want to be in a religious school, we recommend participating in the religious track. Click here for more details and speak to a NEXT Coordinator to ensure placement in this track.
You will work in your school four days a week (Monday – Thursday) for at least five hours a day. In addition, each week you’ll have 1-2 hours of Ulpan (Hebrew classes) at the start of the program and 1-2 hours of volunteering. Sundays are for group extra-curricular programming. These can be, for example, special trips around the country or other programming that will enrich your experience. Fridays and Saturdays are typical off-days for you to relax, travel, and enjoy your free time.
NOTE: There can be some variation in the schedule from city to city based on the school system details.
Fellows are committed to working at least four days a week. You will get all school and Israeli holidays off (there are many!). If you need to take off additional days beyond the school holidays, you will need to obtain special permission – and it’s possible this could affect your stipend. You will also get up to 15 sick days (no more than three per month and doctor’s notes are required). If you need to take a sick day, you will have to notify your city coordinator the day before and obtain a doctor’s note. If for family reasons or medical reasons, a Fellow needs to go abroad and be absent from school, special permission is required and relevant documentation will be necessary. Note that this may affect your stipend and grant. Just like in any job, deviation from the allowed number of vacation and sick days may be cause for program participation to come under review.
DAILY LIVING
Israel Outdoors NEXT hosts Masa Israel Teaching Fellows in the cities of Netanya (beach town), Be’er Sheva (desert town), and Jerusalem (Israel’s capital).
All of NEXT cities are very walkable and getting familiar with your new home is best by foot. It’s a great way to explore. Distances from apartment to school vary by city and school placement. Commutes can be a short walk, a bike ride, or a bus ride. Each city has a robust bus system and each Fellow receives a free intra-city bus pass. Additionally, you can rent or purchase a bike, hail a taxi, or hop on an electric share scooter (depending on the city).
You'll share an apartment with other Fellows. In Netanya, Fellows live in single rooms and in Jerusalem and Be'er Sheva Fellows share rooms. If you are in Jerusalem or Be'er Sheva and would like your own room, this is usually available for an extra fee.
No, living together with fellow program peers is a central and required component of the overall experience.
A full time field coordinator is available to assist you during your time with Israel Outdoors NEXT. Your local staff is backed up by a larger team at our headquarters in Or Yehuda, near Ben Gurion Airport.
There is typically 1-2 hours of volunteer work each week. You’ll tell us what type of work interests you, and we’ll help coordinate the best volunteer experience for you. This volunteer work will take place during non-school hours. Additionally, sometimes the Sunday group programming may involve a volunteer activity.
GETTING READY
To prepare you for the classroom, Fellows receive orientation in educational methods and teaching English as a foreign language, created and led by Israel’s Ministry of Education. Particular emphasis is placed on strengthening your skills as a leader, communicator, and educator and improving your experience in the classroom. All Fellows must attend all orientation days to maintain fellowship status.
We’ll connect you via Facebook and WhatsApp prior to the start of the program. You’ll have plenty of time to get to know other members of your city cohort!
Absolutely. We can connect you to current or past fellows. Just ask a NEXT Coordinator.
Yes, you will need to apply for an A-2 visa to participate. Learn more at Getting Ready.
We posted some general guidance on how to get ready for the program ahead, and more specific pre-trip preparation information will follow once you have signed up.
Inappropriate behavior, drug use, violence, danger to other participants or oneself, criminal offense, and any out of ordinary discipline problem will lead to immediate removal from the program. Remember that failure to complete the full 10 month program will mean you will not be reimbursed for your flight. If you do not complete the program you may be asked to absorb some of the cost of the grant you received.