Page 27 - ELG2005 May Issue 470

WHAT NEXT: ONLINE TRAINING .

Bridge to the future?

Online is on the rise says Anna Williams of US training giant Bridge.edu Education Group

You launched your new practicum – or when courses include a
teaching practice – for online language strong curriculum, practical BRIDGE.EDU
teachers in December as part of a takeaways, interactive EARN DIGITAL BADGES
suite of four specialist courses. And content (like quizzes,
now, six months later, half the EFL videos and discussion
teachers in the world find they have boards) and a tutor, active
had to start teaching online, often learning is facilitated, Bridge Education Group
with a couple of hours’ training, a similar to the classroom. 60-HOUR ADVANCED
wobbly knowledge of technology and Online courses are also METHODS IN TEACHING
ENGLISH ONLINE
no practice. At Bridge, why do you distinct from classroom
think experienced teachers need help courses in that they give us Teaching English As A Foreign Language
going online and why is teaching the freedom to keep the
practice so important? content updated in real-time in response to Specialisation is also important for
ovid-19 quickly pushed online changes in the educational landscape. teachers’ personal and professional Share on
learning to the forefront of development. As they advance in their
education; however, online English careers, the stackable credentials we offer
Cclasses were already on the rise Those prepared to (for which teachers earn digital badges),
globally. Therefore, those prepared to teach provide a way to learn new, relevant skills for
online are not only well positioned now but teach online are not only the classroom and to document ongoing
will be ready to meet growing opportunities professional development to current and
in the future. well positioned now but future employers.
Yet, teaching English online isn’t easy! will be ready to meet
Although core teaching methodologies apply, You have been in the business of
it’s a unique situation requiring new skills. As growing opportunities in training teachers and helping them
well as mastering the technology – such as the future. find jobs for many years. What do you
hardware, software, video conferencing see as the biggest challenge to the
solutions and online teaching tools – there profession and what is the biggest
are other challenges. For example, teachers All teacher training is a mix of theory opportunity?
have to set up a teaching space, decide if and practice – which is more important Globally, there are at least 20 million English
they’ll teach synchronous or asynchronous when teachers switch to working teachers, 80 per cent of whom are non-native
classes, apply new instructional strategies and online? English speakers. For these teachers, the Prepare. Adapt. Excel.
negotiate time zones. Our Teaching English Both are important! While the focus of biggest challenge is finding affordable,
Online courses were designed to address all Foundations and Advanced Methods in accessible training to advance their careers.
of these challenges. Teaching English Online is rooted in theory We’re passionate about tackling this
The hands-on teaching experience that and methods, we also continually tie in challenge and empowering teachers with the
trainees get in the practicum component is practical content that teachers can use in skills, qualifications, and recognition they can Teach English Online.
important because it helps teachers get their classrooms right away. Teachers are able achieve through teacher certification and
comfortable with software for virtual learning to see the methods they’re learning in action professional development.
by working with an actual online student. with demo teaching videos and case studies The biggest challenge, then, leads to the
The practicum also helps teachers gain and they can test their understanding of biggest opportunity. Our mission is
confidence when applying for online teaching concepts with practice exercises, quizzes and ‘Empowering a global community of English
jobs, which often require a demo lesson assignments such as lesson plans. teachers’ and it’s exciting for us to feel that Master the terms, technology, and teaching methods you need to enter
during the interview. Then, our Practicum in Teaching Online worldwide reach, with thousands of teachers the virtual classroom with confidence. Learn from over 210 hours of
lets trainees jump in and apply what they’ve from over 140 countries taking our online
Bridge has been offering distance learned with students on an actual online courses and interacting within the Bridge
training for EFL for a good 25 years, teaching platform. ecosystem. The biggest opportunity for interactive content (including a 60-hour Practicum) in the Teaching English
but you also do classroom training, teachers is making those global connections Online course series.
including Cambridge Celta. What has You have a number of other specialist by sharing their common experience, passion
your experience of training online courses for experienced teachers – and identity as a community.
taught you about the difference? why do you think specialising is
We’ve found that teachers who take our important? Anna Williams is Learn more at Bridge.edu/tefl
programs really appreciate the benefits an We believe that specialisation is important Bridge’s Product
online course offers compared to a classroom- because every student is different. If you’re Manager. Over her
based one, especially the lower cost and teaching English to a 10-year-old from China four years at Bridge, ACCREDITED BY: RECOMMENDED FOR COURSES RECOGNIZED BY
flexible schedule. Those who don’t live in and a 40-year-old from Brazil, your strategies, she has developed CREDIT BY:
major cities offering courses like the Celta lesson planning, and assessment standards – innovative online
can also get the training they need without among other things – will need to be training programs
travelling (and usually with a more diverse different. Specialised Tefl/Tesol courses like designed to meet the
group of trainees). Teaching English to Young Learners and needs of English U.S. Department of College Credit Association for Quality Education
The challenge that comes with online Teaching Business English help teachers teachers around the Education Recognized Agency Recommendation Service and Training Online
courses is making sure they are engaging and understand and meet the needs of diverse globe.
facilitate active learning. We’ve found that students.
Bridge Education Group | 225 East 16th Avenue, Denver, CO 80203, USA | 1-303-785-8864 | Bridge.edu
26 May 2020