New Bridge Micro-Credentials – Putting Professional Development Within Reach for All English Teachers

Bridge strives to support global English language teachers at every stage of their career, from initial certification for new teachers to ongoing professional development for more experienced educators. To help meet this goal, we’re proud to announce the newest addition  to the Bridge teacher training portfolio. Bridge Micro-credentials are a suite of short, tuition-free TEFL/TESOL courses, filling a gap in the ELT professional development space. 

What are Bridge Micro-credentials?

Unlike initial TEFL/TESOL certification courses that provide the foundations of English language teaching methodology, Bridge Micro-credentials build on that foundation with targeted professional development. Micro-courses cover specific, current topics in ELT, and offer insights and teaching strategies that teachers can immediately apply in their classrooms. These short TEFL/TESOL trainings (most will be 20 hours) allow teachers to continually expand their knowledge of the most current instructional methods and trends in language education.

Tuition-Free Courses

Micro-credential courses are accessible to all teachers, since they’re completely online and tuition-free. Our first suite of Micro-credentials includes the following six topics, and others will be added on an ongoing basis. Teachers may take as many free Micro-credential courses as they like, stacking multiple trainings to enhance their resume.

• Teaching English as a Global Language
• Error Correction in the EFL Classroom
• Teaching English Using Podcasts 
• Teaching English Using Video  
• Materials Development for the EFL Classroom
• Teaching IELTS Exam Prep

Dynamic Training Platform

Micro-credential courses are hosted on the same dynamic learning management system as other Bridge online TEFL/TESOL courses. Accessible from any device, including a tablet or phone, course features such as dynamic content, interactive discussion boards, and downloadable resources, are designed to keep trainees actively engaged in their learning.

Recognized Accreditation 

Like all Bridge online TEFL/TESOL programs, Micro-credentials are accredited by ACCET, an organization recognized by the US Department of Education. As such, Bridge is listed as an accredited educational institution in the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs.

Why are Bridge Micro-credentials tuition-free?

The Bridge mission is to empower a global community of English teachers. We are offering our suite of tuition-free, online Micro-credential courses to further this mission, by putting accredited TEFL/TESOL professional development within reach for every teacher, regardless of geographical location or budget.

Option to Upgrade

Teachers who wish to earn verifiable credentials for their Micro-credentials that can be shared with current and future employers will also have the option to upgrade their free Micro-credential courses for additional benefits, which include:

• An internationally-recognized TEFL/TESOL certificate and verifiable digital badge 
• Extended course access (3 months)
• An assigned personal tutor for support and feedback   
• Final assessments to test comprehension of course material

Bridge Micro-credentials offer a new way for all teachers to learn practical, new classroom skills and complete ongoing professional development as part of their commitment to lifelong learning. Micro-credential course graduates also become part of the global Bridge community of over 100,000 English language teachers from 140+ countries as well as the Bridge employer network of schools and recruiters.

Founded in 1986, Bridge is a world leader in language and education abroad. An international company with headquarters in Denver, Colorado, Bridge offers a wide spectrum of language-related products and services, including language training and immersion programs, teacher training and development courses, language testing, translation and interpretation services, and cross-cultural education abroad programs.

Bridge and BridgeTEFL are registered trademarks of Bridge Education Group, Inc. in the USA. All other company names may be trademarks of their respective owners. ©2020 Bridge Education Group, Inc. All rights reserved.