One of the easiest and best jobs that is easy for American (or any other English speaking) oleh or olah to get is to be an English Teacher.

Even if you have not taught English as a Second Language before, don't discount it now. If you are not sure about what you want to do, yet you know you want to make aliya, consider teaching English as a second language. Israel is in need of English teachers. By law, all students have to study English in Israel, which means the demand for teachers is through the roof. (Yea! Good for us). Even if you are not thinking of teaching English as a lifelong career it is a good way to start your aliya. If you are considering English teaching, know that there is a market for tutoring, whether it is tutoring for the Bagrut (Israeli matriculation exam) or it is tutoring young children in a group whose parents would like their offspring to have a head start in English. Tutoring pays well (or better than teaching) but their are no benefits so it is a good supplementary income to a teaching job. (You can probably expect 50 NIS per hour tutoring, and 40 NIS per hour teaching, but those are only introductory rates, and you may very well be able to obtain a significantly higher paying job).

There are many and unique opportunities for English teachers. For a comprehensive job list of teaching jobs go to theEnglish Teaching in Israel website and there are many job posts.

I am including a FAQ on teaching for your perusal.

Arise! And let us once again be K'Cholmim.
B'ahavat Yisrael,
Yehuda Adam for K'Cholmim and Rachel Berger for Tehilla Tzeira

FAQ on Teaching in Israel -- Aliyah Info

Do you want to work as a teacher in Israel? Read this FAQ on Teaching in Israel for more information

General Information

Israeli Educational system is divided into Jewish, Arabic and Christian sectors. This FAQ deals only with the Jewish sector (simply out of lack of knowledge about the other two).

The Jewish sector is further divided into Secular ("Mamlachti"), Religious ("Mamlachti Dati," what one may call "kipa sruga" type) and Independent ("Atzmai" - Beit Yaakov and Haredi). There are also schools that are outside of the system altogether. This FAQ applies to the first two systems, though I think that many points hold true in the Beit Yaakov system as well. (Note: Only a Beit Yaakov graduate can teach in a Beit Yaakov school).

The information is true for teachers of all subjects. There is a special paragraph dealing with English teachers.

1. How many hours do teachers teach?

Hours depend on which age group you are teaching:
1-6 grade: 30 hours per week is considered a full-time position.
7-12 grade: 24 hours per week.
College level: 16 hours per week.

Anything more than that is overtime. You may also work part time. MOTHERS of children under age 14 need to work fewer hours for the same pay: For grade school, after 24 hours add another 10%. For grades 7-12, after 19 hours add another 10%. (Let's say you work 19 hours in 8th grade - you'll get paid for 21 hours).

2. What does my salary consist of?

Your paycheck consists of a base salary plus various additives. The base salary depends on your academic degree and experience. If I am not mistaken they might recognize your experience abroad.(If you did army service in Israel each year counts as a year of experience). If you are planning to live and work over the Green Line or in the North or South of the country, you get paid for additional 4 years of experience and get refunded for rent. (Not all settlements over the Green Line are recognized. Efrat and Maalei Adumim, for example, are not a part of this deal.) If you take various courses in education you will receive an additional 1.2% per each 4- hour/week course. If you learned in yeshiva they will count that towards your paycheck. (It doesn't sound like much, but actually it does add up to sizable amounts.) Of course if you work more "overtime," you earn more.

3. Tachlis, how much can I expect to get paid?

The base salary for a first year teacher with Teacher's Certificate and a BA is about 2,500 NIS. Add another ~300 NIS if you have an MA, or ~500 if you have a PhD.("Smicha" counts as an MA) and ~300 shek per each year of experience. To that, add 10% for "a double degree". Add 1.2% for each 4 hours a week course you can prove that you took besides your degree (including learning in yeshiva, though here they count hours differently - one year full time in yeshiva counts as 3.6%). Add "telephone, clothing" (another 100-200 shek) and travel expenses. Subtract taxes, pension, funds, union membership. In general a first year teacher with a Teacher's Certificate and BA will get around 2,700 - 3,000 shek a month.

4. What kind of a degree do I need in order to teach?

This depends on the grade level. In college, an MA is a must. Officially, you need an MA to teach grades 10-12 and a BA for 1-9 grades. In practice, there are plenty of teachers at all levels that only have a Teacher's Certificate. I think that in a few years, BA's will be a must. In any case even if you have a degree you need a Teacher's Certificate to get decent pay (you are not eligible for many additives without it). I suggest that anyone thinking of teaching get a Teacher's Certificate abroad. Here it takes 3 years.

5. What if I want to teach English?

The Ministry of Education has a special training program for English speaking olim with a BA. It takes 6 months after which you are certified to teach English. Ask your Shaliach for more information.

6. Is finding a job difficult?

It depends on your field and the area where you are looking. Teachers are for sure needed in the following subjects: English, Math, Sciences, Special Education. Male "Limudei Kodesh" (Jewish subjects) teachers are also sorely needed. It might be challenging to find a position in the Jerusalem area. (All depends on your experience and training). All other parts of the country, especially the North and South are lacking teachers.

7. How much time off do I get?

Lots. Teachers get 2-2 1/2 months PAID vacation in the summer. Add to that 3 weeks before and on Pesach, a week for Sukkot, and every other Jewish holiday (inc. Purim, and Independance day). Tachlis, you will only teach about 35 weeks a year.

8. Is discipline an issue?

You bet it is. Anyone considering teaching un Israel has to realize that it is a difficult job. The discipline here is very lax. I would suggest if it is at all possible to arrange for sitting in on a lesson or two during your pilot trip (if you are planning one) to get the general picture of what's going on.

9. Is it possible to get additional training while teaching?

Absolutely. The Ministry of Education encourages teachers to study. Most teachers are enrolled in some kind of training program. Often they just attend lectures (each 4-hours a week course adds to the pay check). Many teachers are working towards a BA or MA. In many cases the Ministry of Ed. will pay part or all of the tuition (which by the way is less then $3,000 a year here.) It will also pay travel expenses to college and might also add another 4 hours a week to your paycheck. All these decisions are made by a special committee on individual bases.

10. What are the additional perks?

Sabbaticals every 6-7 years (your choice). After 6 years you are eligible to go on a paid Sabbatical (66% of last year's paycheck, more after 7 years). You will also get refunded for tuition (You must be enrolled in some kind of program). You may retain up to 1/3 of a teaching position throughout your Sabbatical year.

11. Is there a market for Private lessons?

That depends on your field. English, math and sciences are in demand. Many teachers live on these. A 45 minute English or math lesson can cost anywhere between 40-70 NIS.

12. How good does my Hebrew have to be to teach?

This obviously depends on your field. For English teachers at grade school level, basic (low intermediate) should be enough. The older the students are, the better your Hebrew has to be.

13. Where can I get more information?

At the ministry of Education. It has several offices all over Jerusalem plus local branches. The general number is 02-560-2222. The National English Inspector's name is Judy Steiner. The Jerusalem English Inspector is Tzivya Ariel (and her office number is 02-560-1481.) The inspector for the area around Jerusalem is Shay Aryan and her number is 02-560-1480.

Feel free to contact me for more information: Leah Aharoni aharonil@internet-zahav.net.il