From the Desk of the Chief Inspector

Message for the New Year 2022 from Dr. Tziona Levi,

Director of the Department of Languages:

Dear Diplomacy major-English teachers,

On the threshold of this new school year, I would like to greet each and every one of you and say thank you.

Thank you for aiming high with your students.

Thank you for planning ahead and achieving language teaching goals together with higher-order and critical thinking skills.

Thank you for your professional work and when necessary overcoming obstacles.

Thank you for supporting students at difficult times.

Thank you for choosing every day to do your utmost to enhance the diplomacy major together with English teaching and learning.

This past year carried meaningful developments in the advancement of the Major: the opening of new PLCs and courses, joining of more schools and teachers and an innovative Matriculation test. This positive perspective allows us to keep an optimistic approach and continue spreading professional dedication and aiming high.

Welcoming a new academic year at school is a chance to inspire, with new educational goals for students, colleagues and parents alike who all want to embrace the Diplomacy Major.

Best wishes for a healthy and fruitful year.

Dr. Tziona Levi

Director, Department of Languages

The Office of Pedagogical Affairs

Ministry of Education

Message for the New Year 2021 from Dr. Tziona Levi, Chief Inspector of English Language Education:

Dear Diplomacy-English teachers,

I believe it is not too late to sincerely extend heartfelt wishes for a good start of this school year. To this end, I would like to express my desire that this academic year begins with new hopes and a positive mindset to allow for a rich learning experience full of knowledge and accomplishments. A new school year is an opportunity to look ahead and work harder to make the Major better for a brighter future for our students. And this year there are interesting developments; the opening of new PLCs, joining of more schools and teachers and an innovative computerised Matriculation test. This positive perspective allows you to stay focused on meaningful teaching goals, keep the optimistic approach and continue spreading your professional dedication. Another year at school is a chance to inspire, with new educational goals for students, colleagues and parents alike who all want to embrace the Diplomacy Major.

Let us welcome this academic school year with energies and aspirations so we can experience new learning opportunities and reach new hights.

Best wishes for a healthy and fruitful year.

Dr. Tziona Levi

Chief Inspector, English Language Education

The Office of Pedagogical Affairs

Ministry of Education

Message for the New Year 2020 from Dr. Tziona Levi, Chief Inspector of English Language Education:

Dear Diplomacy-English teachers,

This year is so different, and the challenges are in many ways overwhelming. Thus, just starting off with a greeting for the beginning of the school year seems inadequate. So, I looked for something that is teacher-friendly and helpful to support novice and veteran teachers deliberating with how to get to know students during the first two weeks of school. I’m sure you can adapt to your advanced students.

This is a recommendation by Julie Mason who published her useful ideas on July 27, 2020 on the We Are Teachers site:

https://www.weareteachers.com/ways-to-welcome-kids-virtually/

See 15 practical ways to virtually welcome your students and how to give kids a warm welcome online.

And now I would like to take this opportunity to extend my appreciation for the unique work you do combining English instruction with the major’s Diplomacy content. The concepts of Diplomacy and International Communication in English makes it possible for students to learn and work as a team, to reach consensus on issues of debate, understand and use mass media and other social platforms, develop language awareness, work through conflicts and develop innovative thinking. These are additional skills that young adults need for a resourceful future.

I want to wish you and your families, a Happy New Year, a year of good physical and mental health and a year of creativity and innovation.

Dr. Tziona Levi,

Head of English Studies, the Languages Department, office of Pedagogical Affairs, Ministry of Education

Message for the New Year 2016 from Dr. Tziona Levi, Chief Inspector of English Language Education

Diplomacy and International Communication in English is a major that offers opportunities never before available.

Students in the major spend five hours each week over a period of three years developing their skills in, and knowledge about- interpersonal communication, intercultural competence, media studies, international relations, translation skills or and conflict management and resolution studies. The learning is active- using case study, deliberation, debate, role-play negotiations, and simulations to access the subject areas and give students the chance to develop their skills and apply the knowledge. Through practice and reflection, inter-disciplinary knowledge is taught at a high level in English. This prepares motivated students to apply the knowledge and skills whether they hope for a future in science, community service or business.

A program of this breadth and depth has the potential to positively impact on the future and already has begun to affect the way students think about themselves. Both teacher-training and implementation of the major in Israeli high schools are growing at a steady pace. Last year there were 23 schools which opened the major, this year there are more than double the number.

I look forward to working together to increase the presence of the major in schools and to give opportunities for students to become leaders within their schools and communities to further the reach of the values, skills and knowledge set out for study.

To a fruitful year!

Opening words from former Chief Inspector Dr. Judy Steiner

It is an honor and a pleasure to introduce you to Diplomacy and International Communication in English, the new five-point interdisciplinary elective. Education in the 21st century faces new challenges. With social media, global communication takes place instantaneously, sometimes with unintended and harmful results. Students who are proficient in English will develop the skills to express themselves effectively and with sensitivity through the studies.

Diplomacy and International Communication in English integrates course content with advanced language development opportunities through innovative teaching and learning methods. Through the years of study, students will develop their local voice and appreciate its global reach.

Over the three years of study, students will examine timely issues critically and creatively with peers in Israel and abroad. By addressing local and international issues they will engage in 'citizen diplomacy', learning how to negotiate effectively and build consensus in face-to-face and digital platforms. At the advanced level, students will further their depth of knowledge and capacity as leaders by studying Translation Skills or Conflict Management and Resolution.

While Israeli youth are exposed to English in their general studies and through the extensive use of technology, this major aims to deepen the quality and scope of their communicative abilities. Students will become competent in, sensitive to, and ethical about the opportunities and the pitfalls of communicating in English.

These students will achieve advanced proficiency in English in order to participate effectively in the 21st century world, whether in high-tech, business, politics or scientific research.

Whether you are a student, a parent, a teacher or a principal, we invite you to join us in supporting this exciting endeavor.

Best Wishes.

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