English tour guide course

English Tour Guide Course

NEW at the Wingate Campus

 

Discover the rich tapestry of Israel as a certified tour guide!

Our exclusive Tour Guide Course, designed specifically for English speakers, offers you an unparalleled opportunity to master the art of guiding and sharing.

Israel’s fascinating history, culture, and landscapes with visitors from around the world. This comprehensive program provides in-depth training on everything from ancient sites to modern attractions, ensuring that you become a knowledgeable and engaging guide. With expert instructors, hands-on field trips, and immersive learning experiences, you'll gain the skills and confidence to excel in this dynamic and rewarding profession. Enroll now and start your journey to becoming a professional tour guide in Israel, making every tour an unforgettable adventure!

 

Location: Studies comprise on campus sessions and field tours  lasting 2-3 consecutive days, including accommodation. Campus dates will be provided to participants at the start of the course.

Study Hours: Approximately 400  study hours + 60 days of field educational tours.

Course Duration: 12 months of study + about 2 months of preparation for the Ministry of Tourism licensing exams.

Course Price: ₪ 24,500 + ₪ 350 registration fee.

 

Included in tuition: Lectures at the Wingate Campus, tour bus for most tours, site entrances, experienced tour guides, online study units, half-board accommodation during campus sessions, use of academic facilities at the Wingate Academic Center, and a one-year entry pass ('Matmon Card') to nature reserves and national parks in Israel.

Teaching Staff: The course is taught by leading lecturers and tour guides, experts in the tourism industry and experienced tour guides.

Holidays: The course runs continuously throughout the year. except for a summer break in the second half of August. No classes are held  on Jewish holidays, eve of holidays, and Saturdays.

Teaching Methods: Classroom lectures, distance learning including Zoom lectures and/or recorded lectures, professional workshops, and tours throughout the country.

Tour Departures: Most tours will be conducted with a tour bus, but there will also be some walking tours (mainly urban tours) where participants will meet independently at the meeting point. Tour departures will be from either the Wingate Institute or Cinema City Gllilot depending on to the tour route. Additional pickup locations along the travel route will be determined by the course center based on  the route and group composition.

Course Recognition: The course is recognized by the Released Soldiers Fund           "פיקדון חיילים משוחררים", the Ministry of Education's Professional Development for in-Service Teachers' Fund (according to personal credit), the IDF Retirement departments, the Ministry of Labor's Vouchers Program, and the Ministry of Absorption and National Insurance.

Academic Credit: Graduates of the tour guide course may be eligible for accreditation towards a bachelor's or master's degree in relevant fields of study. Eligibility depends on the academic requirements of each institution. Some academic institutions offer shortened study programs for a bachelor's or master's degree specifically designed for certified tour guides, especially in departments focusing on the study of Israel, the State of Israel, history, archaeology, and tourism.

Admission Requirements for the Tour Guide Course:

• A high school diploma or recognized academic degree
• Candidates over the age of 30 who not qualify for a high school diploma must provide proof of having completed 12 years of schooling. Alternatively, they can provide a minimum score of 550 on the psychometric exam.
• Health clearance
• Successful performance in an admission interview assessing the candidate's suitability for the course and the tour guide profession.
• Proficiency in the English language and ability to study, comprehend, read, and write and clearly express oneself orally ,with an ability to address an audience.
• Reasonable physical fitness and good health, with an ability to participate in tours including walking routes.
• Computer skills: ability to use computer tools including typing text and remote learning.

*A personal setup allowing remote learning (computer, internet communication, camera, and microphone) is required.

 

Tour Guide Licensing Examinations by the Ministry of Tourism: The licensing exams are held twice a year, in summer and winter. To obtain a license, candidates must pass two exams: a written theoretical exam and an oral practical exam, including guiding a segment of a tour in the presence of examiners. A passing score is 60. The written exam is computer-based, requiring typing skills in specialized software.

In the licensing exams, candidates may be examined in one of three languages: Hebrew, Arabic or English (other languages are not available for examination).

Requirements for obtaining a tour guide license from the Ministry of Tourism:

• Israeli residency as defined by the Population Registry Law of 1965.
• Minimum age of 21 years.
• No criminal record for a crime involving moral turpitude.
• Completion of a tour guide course and fulfillment of all course obligations, including attendance, passing exams, submitting assignments, and completing all course tasks according to the Ministry of Tourism's requirements.
• Passing the Ministry of Tourism's licensing written and oral (passing score: 60).
• First Aid certificate (44 hours course) valid for at least one year from the course completion date.
• Those interested in guiding in foreign languages will be required to pass an oral language proficiency exam administered by authorized institutions approved by the Ministry of Tourism. The language exam can also be taken after completing the course.

Admissions Interview: An in-person admission interview will be conducted for candidates by the Tourism School team. During the interview, candidates will be asked to present a short guiding segment (approximately 3 - 5 minutes for the assessment of oral communication skills. The interview aims to evaluate the candidate's suitability for the tour guide profession and their ability to meet course requirements: learning ability, motivation, interest in study areas, and commitment to learning.

Ministry of Tourism Licensing Exams: Students who successfully complete all the study requirements of the tour guide course will be eligible to take the Ministry of Tourism's licensing written and oral exams in the winter sessions of 2025 - 2026.

Certificates: Students who successfully pass the Ministry of Tourism's licensing exams (written and oral) will be granted a "National Tour Guide License" by the Ministry of Tourism and a participation certificate from the Levinsky-Wingate Academic College.

Consultation Meeting: Anyone interested in additional information is welcome to schedule a non-binding personal consultation meeting with one of our staff members. To schedule a meeting, please call our office at 09-8639263 or email us at xcool@l-w.ac.il.

Payment Arrangements: A course applicant who has received notification from the school confirming successful completion of the admission process will be required to pay a 10% deposit of the course fees in advance. Payment is a condition for securing a place in the study group. The remaining tuition fees can be paid in up to 12 equal installments.

Notes:

• Tuition fee refunds are according to the regulations outlined in the School of Tourism study information for the academic year 2024 - 2025.
• Course implementation is subject to approval from the Ministry of Tourism.
• The course curriculum is the mandatory program approved by the Ministry of Tourism for the training of tour guides.

 

For further information:

Registration and Study Consultation:

Tel. 09-8639221    Email shivuk5@l-w.ac.il

Tourism School Office:

Tel. 09-8639263    Email xcool@l-w.ac.il