If you feel a deep calling to guide, inspire, and open doors for others through language, the MA TESOL program at Tel Aviv University is where that passion becomes a lifelong path.

TESOL MA Program Overview

Our International MA in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) prepares you to turn a passion for language into a meaningful global career in education. Completed over three semesters, the program welcomes students from any academic background and equips them with the knowledge, practical skills, and confidence to teach English to learners around the world.
 
The MA in TESOL's multidisciplinary curriculum explores both the theory and practice of language education, combining coursework in linguistics, pedagogy, and educational research with hands-on teaching experience. As part of the program, students complete supervised teaching placements within the Israeli education system, gaining real classroom experience in elementary, junior high, and high schools, as well as in higher education settings and refugee support programs.

“People who choose our program want to be teachers. And you become a teacher by trying. Our students are very focused and they want to develop and grow as teachers.”—Hanne Juel Solomon, former Pedagogical Coordinator and Teacher Trainer on MA TESOL

Read more about the practical component of the program.

Experienced faculty ensure that you’ll be fully equipped for whatever challenges you might face beyond the university walls. Even better, the program content is applicable to varied fields, including education, linguistics, and sociology.

"Your aspiration isn’t just to teach English—it’s to change lives with it. Our role is to give you the tools, knowledge, and confidence to make that dream real." 

Whether you are a new teacher or looking to enhance your expertise, this program is designed for you. In addition, qualified students may continue towards a thesis track. 

Why Choose MA in TESOL at Tel Aviv University?

• Open to students with or without prior teaching experience, making it an accessible entry point to the field of English language education.

• Complete your MA in just one year with close mentorship from dedicated faculty and program staff.

• Gain a strong foundation in language teaching, combining linguistic insight with modern pedagogical approaches.

• Develop practical classroom skills including curriculum design, assessment strategies, and classroom management.

• Complete a hands-on teaching internship within the Israeli educational system, with opportunities to diverse educational environments from elementary schools to higher education, adult programs, and refugee communities. 

• Learn from lecturers who helped shape English teaching in Israeli schools, including the chair of the Ministry of Education subcommittee for the Professional Framework for English Teachers 2020 and a former Ministry inspector of English.

• An optional 1-year thesis track is available. 

Career Opportunities for TESOL MA Graduates

Our TESOL graduates have gone on to a variety of language teaching positions—in private and public educational contexts, in schools and universities—whether in Israel, their home countries, or around the globe.

Some have even opened their own programs, such as an English-speaking nursery school in Israel, while others are working as English language coaches in the business sector, in educational publishing, and in language testing and consulting.

Others have continued on to PhD programs in prestigious universities around the world. 
  

*Please note that you will need teaching certification to teach in public schools. Requirements vary (for example, in the USA, requirements may vary from state to state).

In Israel, a graduate of the TESOL program is expected to obtain a teaching certificate through the Ministry of Education; some of the course requirements will be fulfilled by the TESOL program.

Teach English—Get Inspired, Be Inspiring

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I teach English in Israel with an MA in TESOL from Tel Aviv University?

Yes. The degree is taught in English, open to graduates of any field from Israel and abroad, and includes supervised teaching in Israeli schools through the fall and spring semesters. Public schools require a Ministry of Education teaching certificate: the MA covers part of its requirements, and new olim can complete it within the program through the Olim Academic Integration Track. Private language schools and colleges set their own hiring requirements. Public-school licensing abroad varies by country, and in the United States by state.

How is English taught in Israel, and what is the teaching style in the program?

Israeli schools teach English through a communicative approach aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). The program opens with a summer course, The Israeli Educational Context, before you start teaching. Courses are hands-on: discussion tasks, field trips on how languages appear in Israel's public spaces, and school visits. 2025 graduate Haneen Abu-Khet said courses like Curriculum Design and the Practicum enhanced her understanding of the Israeli education system.

When does the teaching practicum start, and what does it involve?

Classroom teaching starts in the fall semester, the program's second, and runs through the spring: about five hours a week teaching and observing experienced teachers, usually with two classes plus smaller groups. Pedagogical Coordinator matches each placement to the age group and setting you want, based on a questionnaire and a meeting before the program starts.

Do I need to speak Hebrew to teach English in Israel?

Yes. To teach in the Israeli public school system you need to speak Hebrew, and the olim route to the teaching certificate requires a set Hebrew level (see the Olim Academic Integration Track). The MA itself is taught in English, and the program includes an Intensive Hebrew Ulpan for all students.

How is an MA in TESOL different from a TESOL or TEFL certificate?

A TESOL or TEFL certificate is a short, non-degree course in classroom technique. The MA is a graduate degree combining linguistics, pedagogy and research with supervised teaching in Israeli schools, plus an optional thesis year. Neither licenses you for Israeli public schools on its own, but the MA covers part of the teaching certificate's requirements.