We’re thrilled to kick off the Fall 2026 semester of Bridges! Please fill out this form to sign up to volunteer with us this semester. Last semester, we had a record number of student registrations, making your involvement more crucial than ever.
By completing this form, you commit to teaching nine two-hour English lessons this semester and dedicating additional time to reviewing lesson plans. Curriculum resources will be provided to support your planning. Every effort will be made to accommodate your preferred level of English instruction and class size.
In order to guarantee placement before the first week of class, please register by September 7 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Rolling registration will remain open after this date.
For in-person tutors:
Lessons take place weekly on Saturdays from 10am -12pm EST starting on Saturday, September 19; all lessons will be held either in the Asian American Cultural Center, La Casa Latino Cultural Center, or the Native American Cultural Center. The class calendar for the semester
is posted on our website.
If you need to be absent for any reason, that is perfectly fine as long as you notify us as soon as possible. Some students travel long distances to attend classes, and it can be disappointing when tutors don’t show up. Providing advance notice ensures we can arrange a substitute tutor for your class.
For online tutors:
Online tutors will teach at a specific time that will be determined based on tutor availability
. Remote tutoring is usually conducted via Zoom and will follow a similar weekly schedule as our in-person classes with the first class taking place later in the week of September 14.
For first-time tutors:
Thank you for your interest in tutoring with Bridges ESL! We’re confident you’ll have a fulfilling and enjoyable semester. Below are some common concerns from first-time tutors and how we address them.
1) What if I don’t have prior experience teaching English?
No prior experience is needed! In fact, most of our tutors start with Bridges ESL as their first English teaching experience. Teaching a class can sometimes be as simple as bringing an article you find interesting and discussing it with your students. We are planning on holding a tutor training session. Plus, our two Directors of Education are always available to review lesson plans or offer guidance.
2) What if I’m not proficient in another language?
Proficiency in another language isn’t required— though it can be helpful. Most of our advanced students (L4 and L5) can comfortably speak conversational English without relying on their native language. If you’re concerned about language barriers, you might prefer teaching an advanced class. For beginner classes (L1 and L2), familiarity with a student’s native language can be beneficial but isn’t necessary. Many tutors have successfully taught beginners without knowing their language.
3) What if I’m unsure I can commit to teaching?
It may sound like a lot up front, but the commitment is more manageable than you might think. For in-person tutoring, a reasonable number of excused absences are allowed with advance notice so we can arrange a substitute, while online classes can simply be rescheduled to fit your availability. Many tutors also choose to co-teach with a friend, which provides extra flexibility and support.
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For more info about Bridges ESL, check out our website and Instagram @bridgesesl. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to email bridgesesl@gmail.com 