English tour guide course

NEW at wingait 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!

 

Course beginning: 15/11/2024

Course ending: 30/11/2025

Classroom studies day: Fridays 8:00-14:15

Field tours day: Wednesdays 6:30-18:30 (full day)

Course coordinator: Michal Demsky

For online registration click here

Campuses

The course includes campus sessions (field study camps) lasting 2-3 consecutive days, including accommodation. Campus dates will be provided to participants at the beginning 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.

Admission Requirements for the Tour Guide Course:

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

 

Price includes: Lectures at Wingate Campus, dedicated 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 to Israel Nature Reserves and national parks ("Matmon card").

Teaching Staff: The course is taught by leading lecturers and tour guides, experts in the tourism industry and experienced tour guides with a background in working with tourists and travelers.

Holidays: Continuous studies for a year except for a summer break in the second half of August. No classes on Jewish holidays, eve of holidays, and Saturdays.

Learning Method: 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 dedicated bus, but there will also be some walking tours (mainly urban tours) where participants will meet independently at the meeting point. Departures for tours will be from Wingate Institute or Cinema City Gllilot according to the tour route. Additional pickup stations along the travel route will be determined by the course center according to the route and group composition.

Course Recognition: The course is recognized for the purpose of implementing deposits  for discharged soldiers "פיקדון חיילים משוחררים", endorsed by training grants for educators (according to personal credit), IDF retirement departments, the vouchers program of the Ministry of Labor, and the Ministry of Absorption and National Insurance.

Academic Credit: Graduates of the tour guide course may be eligible for credits 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 studies.

Admission Requirements for the Tour Guide Course:

• Presentation of high school diploma or recognized academic degree
• Candidates over the age of 30 who are not eligible for a high school diploma must present proof of having completed 12 years of schooling. Alternatively, they can provide a minimum score of 550 on a psychometric exam.
• presentation of health clearance
• Successful completion of 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 in English. Clear oral expression and ability to address an audience.
• Reasonable physical fitness and good health, and the 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 is required (computer, internet communication, camera, and microphone).

 

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 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 resident as defined by the Population Registry Law of 1965.
• At least 21 years old.
• 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 exams in written and oral formats (passing score: 60).
• Presentation of a valid First Aid certificate (a course of 44 hours) 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.

Admission 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 exams in written and oral formats 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:

• The above information is intended for both women and men alike.
• Tuition fee refunds are according to the regulations outlined in the Tourism and School's 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