English in Israel and Palestine

1/22/2018 5:46:26 PM

As a Palestinian, the majority of Palestinians who can speak English fluently is high. For example, in my class you can take 10 students who can speak it fluently, and 10 students will speak English but with some mistakes either in grammar or vocabulary. The rest of them will speak and understand the basics. Maybe the reason why we Palestinians speak English fluently is that a lot of us were born in USA, or because they teach us English from the 1st grade.

5/30/2015 9:22:24 PM

The short answer is that English will work for almost all tourist transactions in both Israel proper and the West Bank. Long distance bus drivers are required to know English, but sometimes it’s weak. Taxi drivers may pretend not to understand “Please use the meter”.

5/29/2015 9:19:39 PM

As an Israeli with some Israeli-Arab and Palestinian friends I’ve found that English is understood (even if not spoken) pretty much everywhere.

In Israel, English is taught for 10 years, and most people – especially in tourism and in the richer parts of Israel (Gush Dan – central Israel) – will be fluent English speakers.

In touristy places, people will understand English. This is true in the old city in Jerusalem and in most places tourists go to on the West Bank (also referred to by its historic name “Judea and Samaria”). In less touristy places you’ll likely still get by, but not as easily. I wouldn’t worry too much about it.

People will always appreciate the effort if you try to speak in Hebrew and Arabic, but you’ll get by completely fine without it.

5/31/2015 1:24:55 PM

English is taught in Israeli schools from primary school, and as you mentioned, foreign media is subtitled and not dubbed (except for media targeted toward children). Most people have at least basic or better knowledge of English and will be able to help a tourist. Also most public signs have an English translation, and many restaurants will have an English menu.

I can’t say what is the English level among the Palestinians.

You might also have luck with other languages, 15% of the (total) Israeli population are immigrants from the former USSR, so you will probably be able to find a Russian speaking person almost anywhere. And in some cities, where the concentration of immigrants from France and South America is high, you might be able to find French and Spanish speakers. This addresses only the Jewish population of Israel, and doesn’t hold true for the Israeli Arabs, or the West Bank.

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About me

Hello,My name is Aparna Patel,I’m a Travel Blogger and Photographer who travel the world full-time with my hubby.I like to share my travel experience.

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