Jerusalem - Post Report Question and Answers
How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
Hebrew language classes are in abundance though I haven't taken any. Most people understand some English. If you can't communicate with someone, most likely the person next to you or behind you will jump in and help. It's helpful to know the niceties of course, toda (thank you), shalom (hello/goodbye), bevakasha (please). HOWEVER. It's sometimes impossible to tell the difference between an Arab person and a Jewish person and sensitivities here can run high--you might insult an Arab person by thanking them in Hebrew. Unless you are certain of a person's language, the safest course is to speak English. I learned this the hard way. - Sep 2024
Hebrew or Arabic are both very helpful for day-to-day things in Jerusalem. Outside of Jerusalem, in Israel, Hebrew is very helpful. In the limited areas we are allowed to go in Areas A and B of the West Bank, Arabic is very helpful. That said, you can get by without either language. If you are being offered a choice of Hebrew or Arabic for language training, it depends upon your job. For MGT (and the specialist skill codes) and CONS, Hebrew is more helpful. For POL, PD, and ECON, plus the other agencies, it depends upon who you will be interacting with more--the Palestinians or the Israelis. But for day-to-day living and tourism, we have more freedom of movement in Israel than in the West Bank, so generally Hebrew is more helpful/useful. - Nov 2022
I would strongly recommend at least a FAST course or basic level of Hebrew since that's the local language of most of the places we are housed and visit. You can get by without it and survive, but it puts you very firmly on the margins here. If no one at a business speaks English, you'll have to come back later to do whatever you need to do. Because you can't read the script, shopping and ordering in restaurants is challenging and you sort of guess and hope you're getting what you want. If you look even vaguely Jewish/Israeli people will refuse to speak English to you and sometimes give you worse service because they think you're a new immigrant who is too lazy to learn Hebrew. Arabic will be helpful at work, in the old city and with cab drivers. - Oct 2019
English is widely spoken. We have a language program here that pays for both Hebrew and Arabic classes. - Aug 2018
None. I speak neither Hebrew nor Arabic, and it's not a problem. English is the default language for Hebrew and Arabic speakers to speak to each other. I learned a few small pleasantries in both, and it's appreciated, but not necessary. Post pays for language classes in both, including tutors, casual speaking classes, and more intensive courses. - Apr 2018
English is more than enough to get by here. Everyone speaks English. Some of the signs are only in Hebrew but I have not found this to have affected my daily life at all. If it isn't translated into English then it likely did not pertain to me in the first place. Movies are shown in English and have Hebrew sub-titles. - Dec 2016
Learning to sound out Hebrew is helpful for grocery shopping to help figure out what is sour cream vs yogurt vs creme fraiche vs whatever else they have. - Aug 2015
It is amazing how many people in Jerusalem speak excellent english. However, you will enjoy your time much more, and appreciate Israeli culture more, if you learn hebrew. At least learn the alphabet. Arabic is a great language and will open doors as well, but it is really hard, and the local dialect is different from Modern Standard Arabic. Most Palestinians in Jerusalem speak decent Hebrew. - Aug 2015
You don't really NEED to know any but it would get you farther if you did. The people here can be really mean if you don't know Hebrew. I have had people get downright nasty with me when I told them I could not speak Hebrew! - May 2015
Everyone pretty much speaks English here but unfortunately everything is written in Hebrew or Arabic which can be frustrating. - Mar 2014
None. - Aug 2013
You can get by with English with no problem. Obviously, the more Arabic or Hebrew you know, the better off you are. Neither language is that easy for English speakers to learn, although Hebrew is probably simpler. Palestinian Arabic resembles other Levantine dialects. - Jul 2013
Everyone speaks English, and everything is in English. - Feb 2009
