As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to negatively impact the sector, Bridge Education Group in the US and International House Torquay in the UK have both joined a growing number of organizations offering free versions of their courses to support fellow members of the language-travel community during this difficult period.

Bridge Education Group has announced the launch of a free version of its 120-hour teacher training course – Foundations and Advanced Methods in Teaching English Online – specifically for those impacted by the crisis.

The specially modified free version of Bridge’s 120-hour Teaching English Online Certification Program consists of two courses: the 60-Hour Foundations in Teaching English Online and 60-Hour Advanced Methods in Teaching English Online.

The course content is identical to the original version, except that the graded assignments have been removed to make the program accessible to teachers free of charge.

Teachers seeking an official certificate and accompanying digital badge credentials will have the option to complete the graded assignments at a special, discounted rate.

Anna Williams, Bridge product manager, explained that the dynamic training prepares English teachers for the challenges they’ll face teaching online.

“Through interactive content such as instructional videos, practice exercises, PDF downloads, and peer discussion boards, teachers learn the technology and teaching strategies specific to online learning,” she said.

Eligibility for the free version of these courses is limited to teachers employed or temporarily furloughed by English language schools in the language-travel sector.

Member schools of language travel associations such as English UK; EnglishUSA; FELTOM (Malta); English New Zealand; IALC, Languages Canada; and Education South Africa, among others, are automatically qualified to register their teachers.

“We’re privileged to be able to assist the language-travel sector in maintaining its commitment to excellence while we weather this storm together,” said Jean-Marc Alberola, president of Bridge Education Group.

“Yet, nothing compares to learning and living a new language in-country; it is the premier, gold standard in language acquisition and cultural understanding. For this reason, ultimately, this industry will prevail.”

Meanwhile, following a successful pilot in recent weeks, International House Torquay / Torquay International School has announced a free online English language development course for language travel agents.

More than 50 agents participated in the pilot program from Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Italy, Japan, Germany, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, and Turkey.

“We were delighted when our pilot of this course was so over-subscribed we had to offer additional sessions. Feedback was extremely positive, with 92% of participants saying they would recommend us,” said Kevin McNally, owner, and director.

 “It was a truly global experience, and the sessions also served to consolidate and strengthen our ties, in these difficult times.”

Participation is free of charge to any language travel agent registered with/accredited by IALC; Quality English; British Council; ALPHE; ICEF; International House; and English UK, and the course is repeated throughout the day to capture various time zones.

“We look forward to welcoming colleagues old and new onboard this exciting innovation,” added McNally.