Jerusalem, 16 June, 2026 (TPS-IL) — A joint project by the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology and TALMA (National Program for Excellence in English) succeeded in “unprecedented” improvements: 54% of the students tested showed a significant increase in spoken English, with an overall average increase of 40% at the level of the European CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) standard. Israel currently ranks only 46th among countries where English is not the first language, alongside Ukraine and El Salvador.
The “We Speak” project – the official partnership of Telma and The Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology – encompasses approximately 1,000 students from all sectors in Israel. In the current school year, the program had a 167% jump in the number of study groups – from 15 groups in 2024 to 40 groups today, alongside a doubling of the number of local authorities participating in the program from 6 to 12 authorities (including: Sderot, Ashkelon, Kasipa, Rahat, Sakhnin and Maghar).