The Teach French in Palestine Program is designed for French language speakers, including students, native and non-native speakers, graduates, professionals, and retirees. It offers a unique opportunity to teach in the West Bank, Palestine, and engage with the broader Arabic-speaking world, including regions such as Israel, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon.
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Teach French in Palestine Program
This Teach French in Palestine program provides a unique opportunity to live in Hebron (known in Arabic as Al Khalil), one of the oldest cities in the Middle East. The city is home to a diverse and welcoming community eager to learn French from you!
During your volunteering or internship, you’ll also have the chance to study Levantine or Palestinian Arabic, enriching your cultural immersion and enhancing your overall experience in Palestine.
Teaching French Programs in Palestine for 2025/2026
Engage in Palestine is now accepting applications for its 2025/2026 Teaching French Programs. These programs include teaching French to Palestinian refugees, participating in summer teaching internships in the West Bank, and joining winter teaching volunteer opportunities in Palestine.
Have you ever considered making a difference in Palestine? These programs provide meaningful opportunities to contribute to the education of Palestinian children, youth, and refugees. We look forward to collaborating with you to achieve our shared goals and hope to welcome you to Palestine soon!
The History of the French Language in the Levant
The Levant region in the Middle East, which includes Palestine, Lebanon, parts of Syria, and western Jordan, got its name from the French verb lever, meaning “to rise.” The French language has deep historical ties to our region, and we’d like to share a brief overview of this connection.
From the 11th to the 13th centuries, Crusaders brought a significant French-speaking population to the Levant, leaving a lasting impact on the region’s linguistic and cultural landscape. In the 16th century, French Catholic missionaries played a key role in promoting the language through educational institutions. By the 19th century, French had flourished in the Levant, becoming a second language for educated elites, and was widely used in commerce and diplomacy. After the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, France was granted mandates over Syria and Lebanon, and French was introduced as an official language alongside Arabic. Although Arabic regained prominence after the mandates, French remains influential, particularly in Lebanon.
Our Palestinian community is eager to learn French as an additional language! As a volunteer, you have the opportunity to contribute to this rich history by teaching French to Palestinians from diverse backgrounds.
The French Program at Hebron University
The French program at Hebron University is a specialized academic track focusing on the French language, designed for Palestinian students interested in achieving proficiency in French. The curriculum includes 127 credit hours, covering a range of required courses such as French grammar, conversation, writing, phonetics, and translation. Each year, around 500 Palestinian students join this program.
Students progress through courses from beginner to advanced French language levels, enhancing their skills in speaking, reading, writing, and listening. The program also offers elective courses in French oral communication, pronunciation, literary analysis, and contemporary French civilization.
Through this comprehensive curriculum, students are prepared to teach and use French in professional and academic settings, with an emphasis on both linguistic competence and cultural understanding. At Engage in Palestine, we are pleased to support Palestinian university students in improving their French speaking skills through this program at the center.
Short-Term French Teaching Positions
Looking for short-term French teaching opportunities in the Middle East? This volunteering program is perfect for you! Located in Hebron, West Bank/Palestine, the Excellence Center offers a unique opportunity for individuals seeking to gain valuable French teaching experience while immersing themselves in Palestinian culture and studying Arabic.
As a volunteer, you’ll teach French to Palestinian students and community members aged 12 and above. Teaching formats vary and may include one-on-one sessions, small group classes of 2-5 students, or larger French classes with 15-20 participants. This program is designed to be both a rewarding teaching experience and a profound cultural exchange.
Awards And Recognitions
We continue to strive towards “excellence”: In 2022 we were rated one of the top three programs worldwide in offering volunteer opportunities and one of the top three language schools worldwide by Go Overseas. We received a total of five Go Overseas Community Choice Awards in 2022. The Excellence Center was also recognized as one of the top Teach Abroad Providers for the category of “benefits” and one of the Top Internship Abroad Providers for the categories of “growth” and “support”.
We continue to strive towards “excellence”: In 2021 we were rated one of the top three programs worldwide in offering volunteer opportunities. We received the community choice awards by Go Overseas in the categories “best language school”, and voted best on “fun” and “instruction.”
In 2019, we received our first “Go Overseas Community Choice Awards” to acknowledge the Excellence Center’s impact on the community of travelers around the world. The Excellence Center continues to be a highly rated travel organization across its selection of programs. Check out our many great reviews here:
- +850 Reviews (94%) on Gooverseas.com
- +170 Reviews (96%) on Goabroad.com
- Participants’ video testimonials
No Experience In Teaching French?
No prior experience teaching French? No problem! Our French Teaching Program at the Palestinian Language School welcomes both beginners exploring teaching for the first time and experienced French instructors. We’d love to connect with you if you’re seeking French teaching opportunities in Israel or Palestine!
Join the Teach French in Palestine Program – No Certification Required
To participate in our Teach French in Palestine Program, you do not need to have any formal teaching certificates, such as the DALF (Diplôme Approfondi de Langue Française), DELF (Diplôme d’Études en Langue Française), FLE (Français Langue Étrangère), or any other specialized certifications like the TFA (Teaching French as a Foreign Language) or CIEP Teaching French as a Foreign Language Certificate. These certifications, while valuable for advanced proficiency and teaching experience, are not required for our program.
Our program is open to both beginners exploring teaching French for the first time and experienced instructors. However, if you are looking to enhance your qualifications or build a career in teaching French, certifications such as DALF, DELF, FLE, or the Certificat de Compétence en Langue Française (CCLF) can be helpful in demonstrating your proficiency and teaching skills internationally. But rest assured, no certification is needed to join our program and contribute to teaching French in Palestine!
French Language around the World
The French language is (officially) spoken in dozens of countries. From Canada to Cameroon, and from France to Madagascar. You are also more than welcome to join our program if you are an individual who is not from a French-speaking country! Many community members in Hebron are very open to meet new people to learn conversational French, and to learn something about your culture!
We Welcome French Teachers all Year Round
Are you a teacher who wishes to teach French in Palestine voluntarily? Our program welcomes you all year round (Spring, summer, fall, and winter). Our French teaching programs are very flexible and usually run for two to three months. Are you looking for extra experience in the summer or winter? This teaching in Palestine program is suited for you.
As a French teacher, we want you to make a difference in a safe and sustainable place. Our organisation provides a wide range of environments wherein you can teach and learn yourself. From teaching French as a foreign language to learning about Palestinian culture, places, and politics.
Teach French with our Summer Program
During the summer months, our organization offers outstanding internship and volunteer opportunities for French speakers. From June to August, individuals are invited to join our French teaching internships or volunteer programs.
The Excellence Center is seeking a diverse range of participants, from students to professionals and retirees, all united by a passion for the French language. Whether you’re looking for an inspiring summer experience or a longer-term opportunity to serve abroad, your enthusiasm for French is what truly matters.
Our volunteer programs provide a unique chance to immerse yourself in Palestinian life. You will have the opportunity to study Palestinian and Levantine Arabic, experience comprehensive cultural education, and engage deeply with Palestinian history, politics, and society. Additionally, you will visit Palestinian refugee camps, local towns, community development centers, and explore Bedouin regions such as Susiya, Masafer Yatta, and villages in the southern Hebron area.
Overview of the Teach French in Palestine Program
| Place of Program | Hebron, West Bank |
| Program Fees | Starting at 230 Euro. Please Check the Price List |
| Area of Program | Teach French to Palestinians Volunteer with Palestinian Refugees Internship with Palestinian Children Study Arabic in Palestine |
| Age | 18-75 Years Old |
| Minimum Duration | 1 week |
| Maximum Duration | 13 Weeks |
| Starting/Ending Dates | Flexible – Anytime |
| Application Deadline | No Deadline |
| Program Language | Italian/Arabic |
| Days off | Two days a week (Fri – Sun) |
| Arabic Lessons | 3 Hours a Week – Palestinian Arabic or Levantine |
| University Credit | Available |
| Number of volunteer Italian teachers | 3-5 French teachers |
| Program’s Reviews | Reviews & ratings (95%) on Gooverseas.com Reviews & ratings (91%) on Goabroad.com Teach Italian participants’ video testimonials |
Homestay During Your Time in Hebron
Engage in Palestine aims to achieve social discourse through cultural immersion. The center provides the Teach French, Study Arabic Program participant’s homestays in Hebron, West Bank as follows:
- Female participants have the opportunity to live with a designated Palestinian host family in the local Hebron area
- Male participants will be accommodated in a nice, shared apartment just a five-minute walk from the Engage in Palestine center in Hebron, West Bank, Palestine.
- Private rooms can also be arranged, although these naturally come with an additional fee
Work together with ‘Les Enfants Palestinians’ and Youngsters
This French teaching program in the West Bank primarily focuses on Palestinian children and young people from Hebron and the surrounding areas. It is important to note that over 70% of our students are under the age of 20. As an intern or volunteer, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the younger generation of the West Bank!
Participants’ Responsibilities
At Engage In Palestine, interns instruct French language classes and support with administrative assistance while getting to know life in Palestine.
One of the areas we like to put focus in our program is conversational French. Key aspects of teaching French are as follows:
- Teach two or three classes focussing on conversational French during your internship
- Organize a couple of group activities for Palestinian French students at the Center
- Help with some administrative e.g. writing reports or press releases
- Help other foreigners and Palestinian teachers with their classes
- Organize workshops with different themes such as writing resumes, and cover letters and conducting job interviews
Who Comes To Teach French In Palestine?
The Teach French and Study Arabic (TFSA) program is a new follow-up to the very successful Teach English, Study Arabic program. People who sign up for this French version will be part of a group that will teach French to our Palestinian community for the first time! As noted earlier, people are allowed to come from all places around the world! Since June 2011, more than 1000 interns and volunteers have worked with us on the English program. Countries like the USA, Germany, the UK, China, The Netherlands, Canada, Spain, Italy, and Switzerland were represented. Our goal is to make this program as successful as the English one.
The Teach French, Study Arabic program is generally meant for:
- University students who study French and wish to have experience in teaching abroad
- Participants who are above the age of 18 and would like to immerse themselves in the Palestinian culture and daily life
- Students who are studying in the Middle East or studying political science
- Students who wish to go abroad for a semester and need university credit
- People who wish to work as a French teacher in the future
- Students who are interested in the Palestinian and Israeli history
- People who would like to study and practice Arabic
- Everyone willing to help Palestinians learn conversational French
Pre-Departure Support
Engage in Palestine will organize calls with you via Zoom or WhatsApp, write invitation letters, send travel instructions, and give you advice on different topics related to your travels.
How to Apply
Please email us at Info@ecpalestine.org with “Teach French and Study Arabic in Palestine” in the subject line. We will then send you the application form.
Contact Us
For more information, please visit our website: https://excellencenter.org/
Engage in Palestine: https://volunteerinpalestine.org/
WhatsApp:+972 599 479 880
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excellence.center
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ExcellenceCenter
Visit and Explore Palestine: https://www.facebook.com/ExplorePalestine
