Repeat Participants

Teachers who have previously completed a J-1 Exchange Visitor Program in the Teacher category are eligible to participate again, provided they have resided outside the United States for at least two years following the successful completion of their most recent J-1 program and continue to meet all eligibility requirements.

Requirements for open positions are: 

• High level of English proficiency
• University degree or teacher training equivalent to a US Bachelor's degree (typically a 4-year program at a university)
• Currently teaching in a school
• Two years of teaching experience.
• For elementary positions, applicants must have full-time teaching experience in foundational subjects such as language arts, math, science, or social studies. This experience must have been gained after earning a university degree and should involve working with students aged 5-10 in an accredited educational setting, such as public, private, or international schools.
• For World Languages, Social Studies, Math and Science, experience should be with students ages 10-18 years old.
• Driver’s license and at least one year of driving experience.

Applicants who do not meet these qualifications are respectfully requested to withhold their application.

Advisory for Non-English Speaking Applicants ​

Proficiency in English is essential for participants in the Global Educator Exchange Program. To evaluate language skills, applicants will undergo a series of performance assessments.

To ensure that all exchange teachers are equipped to succeed in an English-language instructional environment, we have established clear, objective English proficiency requirements that align with international standards and best practices.

Our program will accept the following standardized tests as evidence of English proficiency, with the stated minimum scores:

• TOEFL iBT: Minimum score of 79
• IELTS Academic: Minimum overall score of 6.5
• Duolingo English Test: Minimum score of 115

Applicants who do not submit a qualifying test score must demonstrate English proficiency through a documented video interview and evaluated speaking/listening assessment conducted by GFO staff. These thresholds reflect a CEFR B2 to low C1 level of proficiency, which corresponds to a user who can “understand the main ideas of complex text… and interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity,” as outlined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Before applying for our teacher exchange program, we encourage applicants to familiarize themselves with J-1 visa requirements. Understanding these regulations is essential to ensure a smooth application process. For comprehensive details, please visit the official BridgeUSA website.