According to the EF English Proficiency Index (EPI) 2023, Israel ranks 54th out of 113 countries and territories with a score of 514 - higher than the global average of 493. Israel also leads among 13 countries in the Middle East region.

This achievement reflects a combination of educational strategy, economic need, and historical influence on English language learning in Israel.

Israel education
Israel's English proficiency ranks first in the Middle East. Photo: Rosov Consulting

Historical and political factors

English first gained a foothold in Palestine during the British Mandate (1920–1948) when it was used as an administrative language. After the establishment of Israel in 1948 and the restoration of Hebrew as an official language, English continued to play an important role in education, commerce, and diplomacy.

This early exposure laid the foundation for the influence of English in Israel. Israel's close geopolitical ties with strategic allies such as the United States and the United Kingdom make English an important tool, not only for communication but also for the conduct of foreign policy and national security.

English is widely used in military cooperation, trade negotiations and scientific research. Proficiency in English has therefore become a priority pillar of Israel's development policy.

English language policy is a core priority

The Israeli education system considers English a core subject and is taught as a compulsory subject from elementary school (grade 3) to high school (grade 12). Proficiency in English is also a requirement for students to pass the Bagrut exam (equivalent to the high school graduation exam) and enter university.

The Israeli Ministry of Education also implemented reforms to improve English teaching, shifting from rote learning to communicative language teaching (CLT), which emphasizes speaking, listening and comprehension skills.

However, the effectiveness of these reforms has been uneven, with urban centers performing better than peripheral areas.
English plays an important role in Israeli universities. Some graduate programs are also taught entirely in English, in order to attract international students and promote global collaboration.

In 2023, the Council of Higher Education of Israel decided to invest NIS 50 million (about VND 335.3 billion) per year for 5 years to increase the number of students taking courses in English throughout their studies, according to the Times of Israel . The project will begin in 2024 at universities and academic colleges, Haaretz reported.

Under this reform framework, over the next five years, higher education institutions will be tasked with developing teaching methods that ensure students acquire basic skills in reading, writing, understanding and speaking English. These programmes will be based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages ​​(CEFR).

The Council agreed that proficiency in English is essential in academic courses, while also providing the best possible conditions for students to integrate into the labour market.

However, the effort has met with opposition from the Hebrew Language Academy, which has warned that improving English skills could negatively impact the development of Hebrew.

Vehicle to promote "startup nation"

Israel's "Start-up Nation" spirit has made English essential for success in the global marketplace. Many technology companies and research and development centers such as Intel, Microsoft and Google have established operations in Israel, where English is used as the primary language for technical documentation, marketing and investor relations.

The closeness to the international market ensures that English proficiency is not only an academic goal but also a mandatory requirement for economic development.
Israel's vibrant tourism industry also boosts English proficiency. The sector is a major contributor to the economy, contributing 2.8% to GDP and 3.5% of total employment, according to the OECD .

In cities like Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, English is a common lingua franca among locals and foreigners.

The widespread use of English media, from TV shows, movies, music to online platforms, also contributes significantly to passive English learning in the daily lives of Israelis.

This exposure significantly enhanced listening comprehension and learning beyond the traditional educational environment.

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