Ian Wright, Director of BridgeUniverse, Anna Hearrell, Director of Operations at Bridge, and Theodore Alberola, Bridge's Digital Marketing Specialist, welcome you to the Summit at this kickoff session! You’ll learn how to navigate the event, get tips for maximizing your attendance, and find out how you can "get social" with us and win a prize during our photo contest. Winners from the lead-up social media contest will also be announced — join us to find out if you won!
PLEASE NOTE: Everyone registered by 3pm MDT on June 24th will automatically be signed up for this session, which will also be available all week via "instant replay."
Speakers
Anna Hearrell
Director of Operations at Bridge
Theodore Alberola
Digital Marketing Specialist, Bridge Education Group
Ian Wright
Director of BridgeUniverse
Host
Flexibility, global exposure, secure payments, 24/7 customer support, access to videoconferencing tools designed for teaching... the advantages of teaching on an online marketplace are many, but how can we continue honing our teaching skills, keep motivated and avoid feeling isolated whilst working online? Come along to pick up some useful strategies you can apply in any setting, and to hear about the teachers' community and professional development opportunities at Preply.
Speakers
Alice Copello
Tutor Development Lead at Preply
Ian Wright
Director of BridgeUniverse
Host
Continuing professional development (CPD) is an important but often overlooked investment for ESL teachers. It can help you progress in your current position or stand out from applicants when seeking a new job. Most importantly, it leads to greater student outcomes and satisfaction. Explore how you can leverage CPD to advance your teaching career in this session.
Speakers
Karina Zew
Tutor at Bridge
Cheryl Evans Lym
Certified Business English Teacher at BridgeEnglish Chile
Donald Moen
Professor at Language Institute at the Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology
Rachel Story
Founder, Grateful Gypsies
Host
Are you getting overwhelmed by all of the apps and tools you need to run your independent online English teaching business? Wondering how you can bring your language school online so you can reach new students (and enhance the experience of current students)? This session will cover the benefits of using an all-in-one platform. Plus, representatives of leading teaching platforms will share an overview of their platforms.
Speakers
Alex Asher
CEO, LearnCube
Rachel Story
Founder, Grateful Gypsies
Hamid Darabi
Founder and CEO of Demiks
Ian Wright
Director of BridgeUniverse
Host
Whether looking for a job or seeking students as a freelancer, choosing a niche can help you stand out from the crowd and further your career. Hear from a panel of successful English teachers as they discuss the ins and outs of popular ELT niches like high-stakes exam test prep and business English.
Speakers
Ruth Nabaasa
Business English Instructor at BridgeEnglish Chile
Joshua Sohn
English Language Instructor at PKL Services
Rachel Story
Founder, Grateful Gypsies
Host
Ready to take the leap and become a teacherpreneur? Don’t let your fear of marketing stop you! This session will give you an introductory overview of what you need to consider when trying to attract students, as well as the resources you can use to make marketing more manageable – and fun!
Speakers
Lydia Michailow
Independent Online ESL Teacher / Writing & Resume Coach
Minji Xu
Business Owner, ImproveYourBookings.com
Erin Hernandez
Owner of Larchmere Language Services
Host
Since the recent implementation of strict government regulations in China, many teachers worry that online English teaching is no longer a lucrative job market. The sector is now split into two major camps: tutor marketplaces and language schools. You need to understand the key differences between them to decide which option works best for you --- and we’re here to help you navigate!
Speakers
Gerald Nikolai Smith
BridgeUniverse Journalist
Jack Lingshuang Mao
Operations and Media Manager at Bridge Education Group
Alyse Bukoski, M.A., M.Ed., CAGS
Online Teacher and Consultant at Next Steps Teaching/ ESL Diversified
Alice Copello
Tutor Development Lead at Preply
Ian Wright
Director of BridgeUniverse
Host
After two hectic years of COVID-19, the world is bouncing back. But is teaching abroad the same as it was before the pandemic? Have things in the TEFL industry changed forever or finally gotten back to “normal?” Join us for a discussion on teaching abroad, whether as a volunteer or in a paid position.
Speakers
Colette Hosten
Online English Tutor at Engoo
Lucas Young
Program Coordinator at JET Program USA
Mishelle Kehoe
English Teacher, Cumorah Academy
Jason R Levine
Fluency MC, Teacher-Trainer-Knowledge Entertainer
Erin Hernandez
Owner of Larchmere Language Services
Host
Whether you’re running your own virtual English teaching business or teaching online through a marketplace, using digital tools will make your job easier and more enjoyable. What types of tools do you need, and what are the preferred choices of current digital nomad teachers? This session will explore everything from apps for scheduling classes and accepting payments to websites for downloading lesson plans.
Speakers
Krzl Light Nuñes
Online English Teacher and Digital Nomad
Anzhela Karamysheva
Independent Online English Teacher and Digital Nomad
Elena Stolboushkina
ESL Teacher, Teacher-Entrepreneur
Rachel Story
Founder, Grateful Gypsies
Host
What skills do you need to get hired at a language school, and what are employers really looking for? What can you do to impress your current employer and earn a promotion? We’ll discuss the desired traits language schools are looking for in teachers and supervisors, as well as regional differences in hiring.
Speakers
Carlos Pizarro
Director of BridgeEnglish LATAM
Zoe Smith
CEO at BE School
Mark Lee
Owner of Mark English School
Erin Hernandez
Owner of Larchmere Language Services
Host
Bridge has partnered with select, carefully vetted Preferred Employment Partners to offer our graduates and Bridge Job Board members access to premium English teaching jobs, both online and in-person. Discover quality language schools and recruiters, connect with hiring managers and hear about job openings from across the globe!
Speakers
Natalia Bustos
Director of Marketing, Sales and Customer Service at BridgeEnglish LATAM
Anna Hearrell
Director of Operations at Bridge
Ian Wright
Director of BridgeUniverse
Host
You’ve landed an interview for an ESL teaching position – congrats! Then they ask you to prepare a demo lesson or discuss your teaching materials. Don’t worry! Using lesson plan providers is a great way to supplement your own curriculum and materials. Learn how to choose a lesson plan company that fits your needs and which demo to use for a successful interview.
Speakers
Chris Rush
Head of Community for Off2Class
Jake Young
Founder and Materials Creator, Fluentize
Tara Benwell
VP of Publishing at Ellii
Erin Hernandez
Owner of Larchmere Language Services
Host
What can you do to score that dream English teaching job you’ve been eying? How do you make yourself stand out from the crowd? A little preparation and resume/CV tailoring goes a long way. Learn the dos and don’ts of applying to jobs, as well as how to increase your chances of getting noticed!
Speakers
Linda Evans
Career Coach
Erin Hernandez
Owner of Larchmere Language Services
Host
Ian Wright, Director of BridgeUniverse, Karyssa Cox, Director of Marketing at Bridge, Jack Lingshuang Mao , Operations and Media Manager at Bridge Education Group and Theodore Alberola, Bridge's Digital Marketing Specialist, host an hour-long networking session to close out the Summit in multiple breakout rooms with our panelists and attendees! Whether new to ELT or finding your new niche and reinventing your career, this networking activity allows participants access to peers and experts in the field. Rooms focus on everything covered in the Summit, from Marketing yourself as a Teacherpreneur and discussing Marketplaces, to Investing in yourself through continuing professional development courses with Bridge.
PLEASE NOTE: Everyone registered by 3pm MDT on June 24th will automatically be signed up for this session, which will also be available afterwards via “instant replay.”
Speakers
Ian Wright
Director of BridgeUniverse
Jack Lingshuang Mao
Operations and Media Manager at Bridge Education Group
Theodore Alberola
Digital Marketing Specialist, Bridge Education Group
Karyssa Cox
Director of Marketing Operations at Bridge
Host