Bridge English Review Summary

Bridge English is a branch of Bridge Education that hires Native and Near-Native Speakers (C1/C2) to provide Business English lessons to adults. Classes of 1-5 students last 30-90mins, and they pay international teachers $10-11/hr, though you must have a degree, ESL certificate and be available during fixed peak hours.

Bridge English Pros and Cons?

Pros:

• Long-established company
• Open to both Native and Non-Native English Speakers (of C1/C2 level)
• Teaching materials provided
• 1v1 or small groups of no more than 5 students

Cons:

• Don’t openly advertise their pay rates
• Mostly corporate clients wanting to learn Business English – not suited to those who enjoy teaching children
• Fixed schedule – need to work peak hours limits flexibility
• Some classes can be lengthy, lasting up to 90 minutes

What Is Bridge Education and Is It Legit?

Bridge Education is a legitimate ESL company that has its headquarters in Denver, Colorado but operates globally. It has been in business since 1988, and its legitimacy is underlined by being a certified B Corporation, accredited by ACCET, AQUEDUTO, and the American Council on Education. Bridge Educational services include the provision of TEFL certification and business language training through Bridge English.

What Is Bridge English?

Bridge English school is a teaching subsidiary of the Bridge Education program, which began independently in 1981 before being taken over a decade later. Its offices are based in Santiago, and with business clients across Chile, Argentina, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic, it considers itself “the Latin American Leader in Corporate Language Training”.

Since moving 100% online following the COVID-19 pandemic, Bridge teaching programs have expanded globally into the United States, Europe, and Australia, and also now attract private students learning general English or preparing for the IELTS exam. Bridge teaching online has also helped the company expand its recruitment pool, allowing it to utilize English teachers from over 100 countries and nationalities living in 40 countries.

Bridge online education is delivered via video conferencing applications including Zoom and Microsoft Teams to live classes of 1-5 students. Bridge English lesson plans and curriculum are provided, though instruction is personalized and student-centered, focused on specific work-related language competencies in Business English.

Below is the corporate video introduction to Bridge English:

Bridge English Salary Information

The Bridge English pay rate varies depending on your total hours taught and whether you are an international teacher or Chilean resident/citizen:

International payments are issued via Wise or Payoneer, while domestic payments are sent through local bank transfer.

The company also offers its teachers free access to its courses, seminars, and webinars as part of their professional development.

Bridge English Hours and Schedule

A Bridge English class will usually last either 30, 50, or 90 minutes.

Bridge English teachers are part-time and must be available for 2 of the following peak hour blocks which are fixed, Monday to Friday (Santiago Time):

• 07:30 – 10:00
• 12:30 – 15:00
• 18:00 – 20:00
• 20:00 – 21:30

These run throughout the year and are not seasonal.

Beyond these peak times, teachers may choose any additional hours to fit around their personal schedule, with classes available throughout the day.

Outside of the virtual classroom, Bridge teachers are expected to perform administrative duties and participate in professional development training periodically.

Requirements to Apply for Bridge TEFL Jobs

To apply to become a Bridge English teacher you must meet the following requirements:

• Native English Speaker, or Near-Native with C1/C2 level from an internationally-accredited exam
• University degree
• TEFL, TESOL, CELTA, or Bridge IDELT certified (Teaching English as a Second/Foreign Language)
• Solid internet connection of 35mbps bandwidth (test your internet speed) with backup (e.g. mobile data)
• Computer with 2GB RAM (minimum), a webcam and microphone
• Backup electricity connection (if you live in an area with frequent power outages, e.g. South Africa)

While not mandatory, Bridge English also prefers candidates who can commit to a regular schedule for at least 10-12 months, and who possess previous experience of teaching Business English and/or teaching adult learners (over 21 years of age) online.

Knowledge of the Spanish language is NOT required.

How to Become a Bridge Teacher

There are 5 stages to the Bridge Education recruitment process:

1. Apply
2. Interview
3. Teaching Demo
4. Formal Offer
5. Onboarding

Current vacancies are listed on the Bridge Education jobs page and LinkedIn. (They also recruit for Cambly, but you may as well apply directly to that company.)

Within the job description you will find a Bridge English application link, where you will be asked to submit the following information:

• First and last name
• Email address
• Phone number
• Physical address
• Education (optional)
• Experience (optional)
• Summary (optional)
• Resume (submit your CV in English only. Resumes in any other language will be automatically disqualified) – the company provides guidelines on what you should include in your resume.
• Cover letter
• Do you have a University degree?
• Do you have a CELTA/TEFL/IDELT (teaching English as a Second/Foreign language) certificate?
• Do you have online ESL/EFL teaching experience with adult learners (21+ years)?
• Are you able to commit to a regular online teaching schedule for a minimum of 12 months?
• If you are a non-native speaker of English, do you have proof of at least a C1 English proficiency? For example, an IELTS or TOEFL exam. note: Please keep in mind this is a mandatory requirement, and you will need to take a proficiency test before signing a contract in case you are not a native English speaker.
• What is your country of residence?
• What is your first language?
• Lessons take place during specific peak hours. They are looking for teachers who are available from Monday to Friday in 2 of the following combinations. Make your first and second choices below:
  • Monday to Friday : 07:30 – 10:00 (Santiago time)
  • Monday to Friday : 12:30 – 15:00 (Santiago time)
  • Monday to Friday : 18:00 – 20:00 (Santiago time)
  • Monday to Friday : 20:00 – 21:30 (Santiago time)
• This position requires high-standard technology. Please respond whether you have at least 35mbps bandwidth and a computer with a minimum of 2 GB RAM with a camera and microphone. You also need to have a backup internet connection, such as mobile data, and if you live in an area with frequent power outages, a backup electricity connection (i.e. solar power). Is your technology in line with these requirements?
• Upload in a single PDF file, proof of your degree, TEFL / TESOL certification, and proof of proficiency in English (Official test results)

Bridge Education Interview and Demo Lesson

Should you be invited to a Bridge English interview, you should study the advice that the company provides. On top of discussing your qualifications, experience, and motivations, you may be asked interview questions regarding your teaching style, such as:

• What is your teaching philosophy?
• Give me an example of a time when you had to deal with a challenging student. How did you handle the situation?
• What ESL teaching methods do you use?
• What are your English teaching goals?

While asking the following questions of your interviewer will help show that you have done your research and taken in the company’s suggestions:

• What are the students’ typical goals?
• What strategies or policies does the school have in place for classroom management?
• Are there professional development opportunities for teachers?

A key determiner of whether you will be hired or not is your teaching performance in the recorded demo class that you will be asked to submit following the interview and training. Again, Bridge Education provides guidance on what recruiters are looking for, including:

• Personality and presentation – Smile and use lots of positive energy to encourage the student throughout the lesson. Also, speak slowly and clearly and use simple language appropriate for the student’s level.
• Professionalism – Dress conservatively.
• Technology – Clear video and audio quality, use a headset.
• Teaching skills – You’ll be evaluated on your language skills and how well you can give clear instructions to your student. Balance teacher talk time (TTT) and student talk time (STT) appropriate to the student’s language level. Be patient and give your student time to respond. Encourage the student, and reward them when they do a good job.

You will receive feedback on your teaching demo whether you are hired or not.

Bridge Education Group Reviews – What Is It Like Working for Bridge English?

Bridge Education reviews on Glassdoor give the company an overall score of 3.5 out of 5, with 72% willing to recommend them. I have collated all the experiences shared by teachers since the pandemic, who talk positively about the supportive work environment, professional development opportunities, and teaching materials, though there are complaints against the management and quantity of hours and pay:

• Advantages:
  • “Fun place to work because of students and fellow employees – Opportunity to meet people from all over the world – Training and professional development opportunities – Pretty good teaching materials available (NatGeo)
  • GOOD PLACE TO WORK in
  • Understanding and friendly place to work.
  • Very nice environment, Provided all resources to effectively conduct an online class, Very supportive, Excellent conditions, Great Access to resources and material related to English teacher resources.”
• Disadvantages:
  • “Upper management had no presence – No cohesive structure between education dept and other departments – All teachers were downsized because of the pandemic, and CEO never acknowledged us, thanked us for our service, or apologized – Were promised updates about when we might be hired back, but the in-person teaching was abolished and no one was hired back – Low pay and no benefits – No raise unless you kept earning higher degrees
  • Not enough hours and low pay”

Indeed currently offers just one Bridge English review written by a teacher, who gives the company 4 stars for the freedom and flexibility it offers, though they find the pay low for the workload required:

Conclusion – Is Bridge English Worth It for Teachers?

Bridge Education is a well-established brand that has been operating in the ESL space for a long time, providing some reassurance in regard to job security. However, not everyone will be comfortable or enjoy teaching Business English, while fixed peak hour slots might also not suit those wanting optimum flexibility over their schedule. For other options, check out our full list of online teaching jobs.