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Last update - 10:28 15/05/2009
Attention English speakers: Israel wants you to teach their over-crowded classes
By Suzanne Hyman
Tags: Israel News, Israel education 

Every few years Israel tries unsuccessfully to lure Diaspora Jews into making aliyah and becoming English teachers in its schools. Now, they are trying again with a new angle - the economic woes in the United States.

"There is always a shortage of English teachers and you have to ask, where are you going to find new ones?" Dr. Judy Steiner, Chief Inspector for English Language Education in Israel told Haaretz.

Given the current financial problems in the United States, the Ministry of Education and the Jewish Agency hope to find more Anglos willing to consider an exciting future in teaching English to Israeli youth.
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And it seems that the program "English Teachers for Israel" has succeeded before it has really begun. Several dozen people from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom have already been accepted after answering advertisements in their local aliyah centers.

The candidates are ready and willing to leave their homes, commit to aliyah and join the teacher-training program, "The economic situation in the United States definitely has its influence here," says Steiner, who personally interviewed over 100 people for those 60 spots.

The Education Ministry has previously faced criticism for placing teachers in classrooms without proper training, especially when there is a shortage of teachers - a common phenomenon given the low salaries, crowded classrooms, and constant strikes by teachers and students alike.

"Very often when there is a shortage, we put in people who are not completely qualified. But we don't take in anybody." Steiner said.

Last summer, for example, there was a shortage of teachers and the ministry allowed people to take an expedited teacher's training course for a few weeks. While the new teachers were placed in classes, they continued their teacher training at least once a week over one to two years, until they received their teaching certificates.

Steiner defended against past criticism on the expedited course, saying that, "At least these people received some basic training." Now, however, the Education Ministry is searching for a better long-term solution to its teacher shortage.

This is where the English teachers project enters the equation. The project is a joint venture by the ministry, the Jewish Agency, the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption, and aliyah group Nefesh B'Nefesh. Program boss Ahuva Volk says that the course is made up of a three-semester or 14-month learning track, including the study of Hebrew, teacher training, and a paid internship,

The immigrant teachers have the option of living in an absorption center in Jerusalem or Ra'anana, and the opportunity to study in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv, at a ministry-approved college. They get an absorption "basket" of NIS 1,500 per month as well as a stipend and loan for tuition that becomes a grant once they receive their certificates and start teaching.

But will the training provide the new immigrants with enough tools so that they are able to survive in the Israeli school system? Volk says that the training begins with an internship in a setting of about 15 students - much smaller than the usual class size, which can climb to more than 40 students.

Many candidates for the program are young, recent college graduates who fell in love with Israel after enjoying a free 10-day Birthright trip, and are enthusiastic about contributing to the country through their English skills.

But being a native English speaker has its drawbacks. While there is the advantage of easier communication in English with students, there is also the problem of a lack of Hebrew, which may prove to be a stumbling block for new immigrants trying to integrate into Israeli society.

The English teachers project tries to remedy this by offering Hebrew lessons (ulpan) for two months at the start of the program and two months at the end. "They have a whole year of practicing their Hebrew, so it's not a problem," Volk told Haaretz. "Or we hope it won't be a problem."

Steiner is optimistic that this will be the answer to a chronic shortage in the Israeli education system.

"Our hope is that with all these programs, the ministry has done everything so that we can choose from people who have been properly trained," she says.
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  1.   They get no money! 14:39  |  Yoav 15/05/09
  2.   Why not start making being a teacher more attractive? 14:43  |  Goy 15/05/09
  3.   I tried it and it failed me. 15:49  |  Jason 15/05/09
  4.   i`d consider it if the wage was ok but... 15:49  |  richelle 15/05/09
  5.   delusions 18:15  |  be wary 15/05/09
  6.   dont come 22:31  |  disillusioned 15/05/09
  7.   I too was there 00:28  |  David 16/05/09
  8.   Solve the problem - increase teachers` salaries 00:33  |  David 16/05/09
  9.   Tell us,be honest... Does Israel expect Anglos to live on what ? 02:44  |  Alan SA 16/05/09
  10.   don`t do it - it`s a huge mistake 13:20  |  Mari 16/05/09
  11.   Yeah, if you want to earn less than a burger flipper 13:54  |  Frayer Nomore 16/05/09
  12.   As best hebrew teachers are mooving to usa. 15:54  |  MOISHE 16/05/09
  13.   English Teachers Wanted 16:34  |  Carlos 16/05/09
  14.   Don`t even think about it! 17:47  |  teacher trainer 16/05/09
  15.   Where do you guys get that $900 figure? 18:07  |  Teach 16/05/09
  16.   anglos are too pampered 18:40  |  anglo-israeli 16/05/09
  17.   If they havent noticed yet, the woes are worldwide 19:26  |  Matt 16/05/09
  18.   English Teacher 19:40  |  Estera Malka Gotlib 16/05/09
  19.   la la land 21:16  |  English teacher 16/05/09
  20.   Response to English Teacher 21:21  |  David 16/05/09
  21.   english teachers 22:24  |  Why Not Me? 16/05/09
  22.   Attention English speakers: Israel wants you to teach their over 22:24  |  Sarah Lascar 16/05/09
  23.   Estera Malka Gotlib 22:30  |  D.M. 16/05/09
  24.   It`s very mean to fool idealistic young people like this 23:31  |  Hen 16/05/09
  25.   firarim lo metim!!! 23:53  |  SamIAm 16/05/09
  26.   Bogus 01:01  |  Dusty 17/05/09
  27.   Every few years, Israel tries to fool people into teaching 07:39  |  Charlie 17/05/09
  28.   Retain existing teachers 09:14  |  Shira 17/05/09
  29.   Been there; done that 10:09  |  educator 17/05/09
  30.   Answer to Shira regarding retainig teachers 11:04  |  English Teacher 17/05/09
  31.   response to "Response to English Teacher" 13:11  |  D.M. 17/05/09
  32.   Comment to Number 21 from London 16:07  |  Ophir 17/05/09
  33.   finally a genuine attempt to make things better! 21:45  |  Sara 17/05/09
  34.   hmmmm 22:27  |  lori 17/05/09
  35.   should of read-anglos israel doesnot need you 08:38  |  jj 18/05/09
  36.   aliyah is a waste of your time 12:34  |  Gina 18/05/09
  37.   easy now 17:02  |  english teacher 18/05/09
  38.   What a load of nonesense 22:01  |  Daniel 18/05/09
  39.   Attention Editors: Your headline belies racism 15:02  |  David 19/05/09
  40.   teachers 09:41  |  tom 20/05/09
  41.   4000 NIS A MONTH! are you nuts? 12:12  |  American oleh 20/05/09
  42.   Deep Sadness 17:56  |  Moshe K. 20/05/09
  43.   English teaching- run like hell - away! 22:07  |  Michal 20/05/09
  44.   Teaching English in the Israeli Schools 13:11  |  Rachael 24/05/09
  45.   Solve thee problem-increase teacher`s salaries 18:40  |  Karmie 24/05/09
  46.   english teachers wanted in israel 23:45  |  debbie naim 04/08/09
  47.   Israel wants you to teach their over-crowded classes 23:06  |  Mary 15/08/09
  48.   teaching English in Israel 05:02  |  Keith 26/12/09
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