Hosted by TALMA: The Israel Program For Excellence in English

TALMA: The Israel Program For Excellence in English

Name: TALMA: The Israel Program For Excellence in English
Brand: TALMA: The Israel Program For Excellence in English
SKU: 142934
Rating: 5 (11 reviews)

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Location

Israel

Project Types

Community Development Service Learning Youth Education Teaching ESL Human Rights Professional Development

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Program Details

Timeframe

Short Term Summer Year Round

Housing

Apartment Hostel Hotel

Groups

Medium Group (16-30) Large Group (31+)

Pricing

Price Details

The TALMA Summer Fellowship includes all expenses, such as round-trip flights and ground transportation, housing, health insurance, meals, and all program workshops, events, and excursions. This Fellowship takes place every summer, from late June to late July.

The TALMA Full Year Fellowship is a paid position that also includes most expenses (all except food), along with weekly Hebrew lessons, mentorship, access to a young professionals community, and more. This Fellowship takes place every year, from mid-August through June of the following year.

What's Included

Accommodation Activities Airfare Meals Transportation Wifi

Last Updated: Nov 16, 2019

Last Reviewed: Sep 07, 2019

Wish List

15 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

If you're a teacher with a sense of adventure and a commitment to education equity, TALMA has the program for you! We are a non-profit based in Israel that believe in quality English language education for all students. We offer a 3.5-week, fully funded Summer Fellowship, and a 10.5-month paid Full Year Fellowship, for young professional educators. Both Fellowships offer teachers international co-teaching experience, valuable professional & leadership development, and the opportunity to network and build community with educators ages 21-39 from all over the world. The Summer Fellowship includes flights, ground transportation, housing, health insurance, meal stipends, and all workshops, activities and excursions. The Full Year Fellowship includes everything from the Summer Fellowship (minus meals), along with a monthly stipend, Hebrew lessons, and additional benefits. Visit us at https://www.talmaisrael.com/ to learn about our programs, eligibility, and to apply.

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Program Highlights

All-expenses-paid 3.5-week Summer Fellowship (late Jun-late Jul)
Paid 10.5-month Full Year Fellowship, with most expenses covered as well
Professional & leadership development opportunities
Gain international teaching experience & cultural competencies
Make new friends and join a powerful network of educators from around the world

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Program Reviews

5.00 Rating

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Showing 9 - 11 of 11 reviews

I can't speak highly enough about this program! I was lucky enough to spend the Summer of 2016 teaching in Northern Israel with TALMA. There was nothing more inspiring than spending time planning, discussing, and creating with such incredible and passionate educators. I will be a far better teacher in my career in the U.S. because of my fellow TALMA teachers. My students reminded my why I got into education to begin with. I will never forget the relationships we formed in just three short weeks together (despite our language barrier!). My favorite memories will always be playing soccer in the hot Israeli sun during recess with the students practicing their English by telling me the score and complimenting each other, or when one of my students who had never taken English before approached me the last week to ask to use the bathroom in perfect, unprompted English.
Beyond teaching, I feel so lucky to have made so many special friendships with like-minded, passionate educators who shared this incredible experience with me. Our location in the North was a great way to feel like part of the community and explore a part of Israel I would normally not have the chance to. After school and planning, we would go swimming at our Kibbutz or take a bus to any of the many neighboring areas for hiking, shopping, dinner, drinks, dancing, and more. And of course, experiencing a new culture means learning some of the language, and eating lots of the local food. Our two free weekends were an awesome opportunity to travel with new friends or visit old friends/family in Israel. I spent one weekend in Tel Aviv exploring the cities and incredible beaches and the other renting a car and hiking/wine tasting in the Golan Heights, visiting Haifa, and camping on the beach. In four weeks, I experienced so many new things and was pushed (in a good way) out of my comfort zone. I'm so happy I chose to participate in TALMA because of all the positive impacts it had on me as well as the benefits of our students having English immersion classes. I left Israel a far better teacher, a more cultured person, a more creative and innovative educator, and a truly better human.
I'm so excited to return to Israel and TALMA again in the coming Summer(s).

Response from TALMA: The Israel Program For Excellence in English

Sam!
Thanks so much for sharing your experience! We were so happy to have you join the program and have our fingers crossed that you'll return for summer 2017!

By TALMA Israel on September 7, 2016

My name is Debra and I have had the privilege of watching TALMA grow since its inception in 2014. I first visited TALMA as a Teach for America alumna on a Professional Development program in Israel. That summer, Israel was in the midst of Operation Protective Edge - the 2014 Israel–Gaza conflict that began after three young Israelis were kidnapped and murdered. The country was hurting, but when I visited TALMA in the North of Israel, I witnessed diplomacy in action. Young American and international teachers coming to Israel during a time of war, working side by side with Israeli teachers, and CREATING a distraction, a summer of fun and learning, for young children in Israel's most impoverished communities.

I returned to Israel the following summer to help pilot TALMA in its second location, Jerusalem. As a participant, rather than observer, I learned that TALMA is much more than meets the eye. Not only is it a teaching fellowship, but it is a transformative community. It is one thing to be a teacher who works within a school community of other teachers, it is another thing to live within a community of teachers - sharing apartments, cooking, planning, exploring, living...and yes, partying together. We shared our experience in the classroom, our knowledge of best practices, our love of hummus and Mediterranean food, and above all, a passion for what in hebrew is known as 'tikkun olam' a desire to repair the world and make it a better place for EVERYONE in it.

As my summer with TALMA came to a close, I knew I wanted my involvement to go beyond the summer. Fortunately, upon arriving back on US soil, I received an email stating that TALMA was in search of a Recruitment Director. Without hesitation, I applied. Last summer I helped recruit 98 teachers from around the world to help grow TALMA into three new communities: Mitzpe Ramon, Kiryat Malachi, and a bedouin community in the Jezreel Valley. Each summer TALMA's impact is growing bigger - and it is CREATING waves in the Israeli education system. Currently, TALMA is ranked the number one education program in Israel.

With the generosity of the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, the Steinhardt Family Foundation in Israel, and the Israeli government, TALMA continues to grow, get better, and create...opportunity for the youth of Israel, incredible experiences for the teachers who participate in our fellowship, and a more equitable and loving world where people from different lifestyles and upbringings come together to 'repair.'

This summer, I am excited to continue my work with TALMA as I embark on my second year as Recruitment Director of the program. TALMA has given me purpose and community, and has empowered me to expand my impact leveraging the people, resources and knowledge I've been gifted as a result of participating. If you are seeking an opportunity to grow personally, professionally, and do so while gifting your time and energy to a most worthwhile cause, I invite you to apply to TALMA and join me, next year in Israel!

Debra
TALMA '14 Observer; TALMA '15 Fellow, TALMA '16-'17 Recruitment Director

What would you improve about this program?

Made year round!

TALMA was an experience I couldn't have gotten any place else. It threw me out of my comfort zone in the most amazing way. I learned to connect and build relationships with students without sharing a common language. It taught me new things about myself as a teacher and a person. Through my experience with TALMA, I am able to bring back new ideas and techniques to my home classroom. Outside of the classroom, TALMA provides such a warm and welcoming community. My placement was my new home. I found myself missing my musty little room and new family once I left. TALMA also allows some free time to explore different areas or just relax and recharge your batteries. And hummus....need I say more? I left Israel with my heart and belly full.

Questions & Answers

I would really like to teach English in Israel, but I am older than the cut off age! Is that going to be a problem?

Hi Carol! The age recommendations are a guideline and not a hard and fast limit. Our teachers this past summer ranged in age from 22-64. That said, the program is designed with early career professionals in mind, with the hope of supporting them in developing networks of support with peers, pushing the bounds of innovative and out-of-the-box teaching, and developing a connecting with Israel. That...

By Debra Feinberg on August 28, 2019

Hi, Are these volunteer teaching programs restricted to only Native English Speakers? Thanks

This is great. Can I know what sort of standards are set for non-native skeapers to participate? English is my second langugae and I am a non-native speaker that's why I am asking. Thanks in advance and appreciate your help.

By Hasan Hawari on December 30, 2017

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Is this limited to 21-36 years old? How about those above 36?

Hi Maria, this program has an emphasis on creating a community for young professionals in education in their first few years in the classroom, so the age guidelines help direct those early year educators into the program, though exceptions can be made for exceptional candidates.

By Debra Feinberg on December 30, 2017

Is this available for Australian residents?

Hi Jesse, Yes! We accept applicants from Australia and throughout the world. We welcome your application. Best, Team TALMA

By TALMA Israel on January 29, 2017

See all 2 answers

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Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

I initially chose to participate in the TALMA program for several reasons. Two of my greatest passions are education and travel, and becoming a teaching fellow with TALMA was a great way to combine them!

I am interested in pursuing a new career in International Education and Development, and joining TALMA was a great first step for me. I could "test the waters" in essence without leaving my current position as a teacher in Philadelphia, network with other young teachers around the world, expand my own understanding of global education, and enjoy a summer in Israel at the same time!

After my first summer with TALMA, my reasons for returning changed a bit. I learned so much about myself as a teacher and as an individual, but I also loved having the opportunity to make a difference in the Israeli students' lives by empowering them with an invaluable English language immersion experience. My return was less about me and more about the greater good.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

Participating in TALMA was very easy in this regard! TALMA partners with a travel agency and logistics company to make sure everything runs smoothly throughout the entire experience. Our flights were booked (and paid for), all transportation was provided, and we were given all the tools we needed to be comfortable and successful on the ground in Israel.

TALMA offers different tracks. Some are more independent (like the one I chose to do in Jerusalem), and with others, more is taken care of for you. No matter which track you choose, everything is taken care of in some way. All meals are provided (if not physically, you receive a pre-paid credit card to use for food), transportation is clear (either using buses provided by TALMA or public transportation - again, paid for - in the larger cities), and all events are wonderful.

With TALMA, participants are given two free weekends and several free week nights to use as they please. The only time I had to organize anything on my own was when I wanted to do something special in my free time. I planned a few trips around the countries, and went out in Jerusalem almost every change I got! There are always people willing to help you plan excursions if you're interested.

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What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

DON'T HOLD BACK! Teaching with TALMA is an invaluable experience. Use your free time to explore, soak up every moment with your students and Israeli co-teacher, reach out and make new friends, and take risks you may not have done otherwise. Go out and explore your city.

I now feel so at home in Jerusalem, almost like I have lived there my whole life! I like not feeling like a tourist.

In fact, last year, I took some tourists from Germany on a food tour of Jerusalem! TALMA offers a great balance between professional development, personal enrichment, and traveling fun - just take it all in and don't skip out on anything. It's all part of what is sure to be one of the greatest experiences of your life!

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

When participants arrive in Israel, they receive a few days of professional development in one common location (usually Tel Aviv). There, we participate in workshops and seminars to help prepare us to teach in the Israeli classroom. Then, we split up and travel to our respective teaching locations (this past summer there were 5 locations, but TALMA is still expanding). There we meet our Israeli co-teachers, begin collaborating and planning, and get to know the city.

Once the program starts for students, we leave early in the morning to go to our respective schools (sometimes by provided transportation, sometimes public depending on your location). School days are Sunday through Thursday, and run from 8:00am-1:30pm.

After school, you are welcome to do as you please. Some people choose to stay at the hotel/apartment, some go out exploring, others out to eat, etc. There are 15 days of teaching. Like I said, there are two free weekends during which participants can plan their own excursions around Israel, and two organized weekends when teachers from all locations meet up for fun, professional development, and reflection. The program ends with a closing ceremony.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

I had traveled quite extensively before I participated in TALMA, but I suppose I was most concerned about the conflict in the area and how that would affect us on the ground. However, once I got to Israel, not ONCE did I feel unsafe.

TALMA is in constant contact with the Embassy and takes all measures to ensure our safety and comfort. People are really open about the political situation in the area, and I am grateful to have learned so much about it from people who live with it every day.

Otherwise, my fears were all teaching related. I was very unsure about myself at first - the Israeli classroom is quite different from the U.S. classroom. But thanks to my co-teachers, I felt right at home after the first few minutes. The kids are wonderful, and I miss them every day!

What made this trip meaningful to you?

As I mentioned earlier, my initial reasons for participating in TALMA were rather personal. I was looking for a rewarding professional development opportunity to kick start my career in international education. I also couldn't pass up a free trip to Israel!

Having done TALMA for two years now, I can honestly say that I am honored to be part of a program that is changing the way the English language, and education as a whole, is viewed in Israel.

TALMA has, without a doubt, made a profound difference in the lives of the children who participate. I am so excited to see how the program continues to grow and improve!

TALMA has renewed my passion for teaching and learning, and has no doubt influenced how I define my role as a teacher. I have taken so much away from this experience, learned to reflect on my own teaching and experiences, and passed on the lessons I have learned to my students back home, as well. It's the program that keeps on giving!

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

What is your favorite travel memory?

One of my favorite travel memories is from my time working as a JDC Entwine Fellow in Mumbai, India. Every morning began with a train ride from my neighborhood station in Byculla to the slum where I taught in a place called Kalwa.

After a hot and dusty journey, I'd walk until I came upon a shanty with dozens of tiny shoes piled outside, then step into the happiest place in the world: my classroom. Upon entering the room, I was met with fifty pairs of bright eyes and smiling faces, as my students stood at attention and shouted in sing-song, "Good morning Debbie teacher!" It never got old.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

After more than a year overseas, I'd just returned stateside, was needing a job, missing the community of travelers I'd met while abroad, and didn't quite know where to call 'home.' Then, a few weeks after my return, I received an email from TALMA stating that they were looking for an alumni of the Fellowship to serve as the program's Recruitment Director. Suddenly, the world seemed a little brighter.

AI'm not sure whether it's more fair to say that I found my position with TALMA at a time of uncertainty in my life, or that TALMA stepped into my life right when I needed it; but my work with TALMA changed me, giving me a fresh outlook on life, and the realization that a true community can surround you, support you, and love you no matter how far or close your physical coordinates are.

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What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

As a program that is improving and expanding each year, we learn from our mistakes, we build on existing partnerships, and we bring back as many of our alumni as we can so that TALMA's students can benefit from their experience and know how. The best story I hear from return Fellows is one that I'm lucky to get to hear over and over again from our participants..."This summer was even better than last summer!" Those words are magic.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

The beauty of TALMA is that no matter which location you are in, you are part of one TALMA community - so while the scenery and student population you serve might look different from location to location, we operate the same program, with the same mission, schedule, and passion, no matter where it is you are placed. Plus, the beauty of TALMA is that you can return year after year and experience the program in each location...you don't have to choose!

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

What I believe makes TALMA unique is that we turn Israel into a lab for Fellows to explore how an increasingly diverse and entrepreneurial nation devises innovative solutions to deal with deep-rooted and multi-dimensional social and economic challenges.

By living, learning and teaching together, our Fellows form a network of powerful and influential change makers who take the lessons they learn in Israel and bring them back to their communities around the world.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

The biggest factor in being a successful company is undoubtedly having a deep-seeded passion for your mission. Everyone who works for TALMA is passionate about Israel, educational equity, and social justice. In turn, we make a pointed effort to only bring others into our community who have a demonstrated history of embodying those passions.

When you can build a network of people who, first, share a passion, and then, share a powerful experience that works towards fulfilling that passion, you get buy-in, and when you have buy-in, success is sure to follow.

Location

Location:

Israel

Currency:

Israeli New Shekel

Weather:

Jan-Mar

79 F / 43 F

Apr-Jun

102 F / 55 F

Jul-Sep

104 F / 66 F

Oct-Dec

91 F / 46 F

Airports:

Tel Aviv-Ben Gurion

( TLV )

Haifa-U. Michaeli

( HFA )

Eilat-Ramon

( ETM )

Israel is revered for its religious diversity and unique scenery. Spend your days reaping the benefits of soaking in the Dead sea or explore the 3 faiths that have a special connection to Israel: Judaism, Christianity, & Islam.

About TALMA: The Israel Program For Excellence in English

TALMA is an all-expense-paid summer of teaching, professional development, and networking in Israel for young professional educators aged 21-36. Each summer we bring more than one hundred teachers around the world for an unforgettable experience teaching English to low-income students within Israel, from Nazareth Illit and Migdal HaEmek in the...