Teaching in Singapore

Teaching in Singapore – Asian College of Teachers (ACT)

Singapore is one of the safest and cleanest cities in the world and never ceases to amaze you. Geographically small, this island city is known for its wealth of opportunities, high standard of living, controversial laws, and variety of ethnicities, food, cultures, and languages. Having risen from a backwater fishing village to become the world's largest economic power, Singapore represents the greatest national transformation of all time.

In a country where English is one of the officially spoken languages, one might feel that there is no big need for teaching jobs in the country. However, even if the need is not as enormous as in Thailand or China, Singapore is gaining immense popularity over the years as the government welcomes qualified foreign applicants with open arms. The competition is extremely fierce and you need to have the right set of requirements to make the cut. Additionally, since almost everyone in Singapore can speak some level of English as a first or second language, teaching and educational opportunities in the country focus on a more advanced form of instruction.

Considered to be a true melting pot, Singapore is both culturally and financially rich. That being said, almost 40% of the residents hold passports from other countries and are home to Europeans, Chinese, Indians, and Malays. Thus, if the glossy shopping malls and towering office buildings seem impressive to you, then a proper blend of qualifications, credentials, finances, and mindset will help you land a job in the strikingly cosmopolitan culture of Singapore.

Updated Educational Requirements to Teach in Singapore

In Singapore, the medium of instruction for formal education is mostly English and since the majority of the population speaks decent English, the competition is stiff. Even though few schools in the island nation will be a bit more flexible than others, all the educational institutions require teachers to be certified and hold approval from the Ministry of Education.

With Singapore becoming a desirable place to live in and the ever-growing employment opportunities, expats make up a large percentage of Singapore's educational population.

An ideal candidate is required to

• Be a graduate from a recognized board or university with at least a bachelor’s degree
• Be a citizen of a native English-speaking country or have near-native proficiency for ESL jobs
• Have completed 120 hours of TEFL course from a globally recognized institution (for English teaching)
• Teaching experience of 2-3 years (preferred)
• Teaching license in English like B.Ed, M.Ed, or equivalent (Public institutions)
• Under the age of 65 (government institutions)

Singapore embraces an English-based bilingual education system and students are taught the subject matter in English as an official medium of instruction. The official mother tongues of the students are taught as second languages.

Updated Visa Requirements for Teaching in Singapore

Unlike many other countries, the visa application process for Singapore is quick and straightforward and falls squarely on the shoulders of the employer. The Singapore work visa is also known as an ‘Employment Pass’ and to get a work visa you first need to secure a job in the country and your institution will take care of the rest of the process.

To be eligible for the employment pass, you need the following documents

• Original and copy of your degree certificates
• Official university transcripts
• Copy of your TEFL/TESOL certification
• Copy of passport
• Duly signed contract or offer letter
• 2 recommendation letters
• Photographs
• Clean criminal background check document

There are other types of visas available to teach in Singapore and their requirements are as follows:

S Pass

This works like an Employment Pass but has certain restrictions. If you are applying for this visa then you must hold a Bachelor's degree from a reputed organization and must be able to show income proof of $2,000 per month.

Work Permit

A work permit differs from Employment Pass as it allows you to stay in the country only until the contract expires. However, if your employer changes their mind about hiring foreign nationals then you might not last that long in the country.

Furthermore, if you get a job in Singapore in person, you might have to leave the country to process your Employment Pass with the employer. Once your visa is approved you will be able to fly to Singapore where you will have o take a medical test within two weeks of entering the country.

Your institution will then take all your documents and the result of your medical check to register you with the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). While registering, you might have to submit your fingerprints and a few extra sets of photographs. Once the process is complete, you will get your work permit within a few days which will be valid for up to two years.

Another thing to note is that the country does not offer a digital nomad visa and the candidates need to apply for a work visa even to work remotely in the country. Moreover, with a work visa, you cannot conduct any business activities.

Major Types of Educational Jobs in Singapore

Singapore's Ministry of Education aims to help students discover and make the best of their own talents, develop a passion for lifelong learning, and to help them realize their potential. Named among one of the best countries for its education system, Singapore offers a vast segment of teaching opportunities and allows a chance to explore the unique characteristics of the elucidating education system and how the country strives to inculcate a learning environment.

For many language institutions and schools, applications are accepted all year round. The academic year normally begins in January and the institutions take a month-long holiday in June, plus a six-week holiday at the end of each year.

Teaching in Singapore - Public Schools

The government-run schools of Singapore offer education to the students in English and offer tremendous benefits like job security, medical insurance, a one-way ticket to their home country, housing allowance, etc. While the teaching positions vary from school to school and tend to be a little more competitive, gaining an experience in a public school is an ideal teaching opportunity for most foreign expats.

Applications for private schools are evaluated based on a list of criteria that is indicative of a candidate's potential. To teach in public schools, competent candidates must have:

• A Bachelor’s degree or higher qualification in any subject
• Native English citizenship or near-native fluency
• Teaching licenses in English like DipED, PGDE, or equivalent
• At least 120 hours of TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certification
• 2+ years of experience (preferred)
• At least ‘A’ level language proficiency
• IB Diploma or equivalent
• Legal employment pass
• Medical certificate

To apply for opportunities in a public school, you either need to apply through the Ministry of Education or directly speak to the school you are planning to teach. When compared to international schools or private language academies you earn typically less and your basic pay as a beginner with no experience starts from $1,500 and can raise up to $2,200 or $3,000 if you have an experience of around 2-3 years.

Teaching in Singapore - Private Language Academies

The private language academies offer business, travel, or adult English classes within their own facility. The format of these programs varies greatly from institution to institution and teachers often require their teachers to be native English speakers. However, you do not have to give up on your teaching dream if you do not hold a native passport.

The private academies are generally very large and have their own premises which sometimes act as residential spaces for students. So, you should be prepared to teach one-on- one lessons or small groups depending on your curriculum. These centers are preferable for a majority of experts due to their minimum requirements. To be able to teach in private language academies of Singapore, you must have:

• Bachelor’s degree or above in any subject from an accredited college or university
• Native English citizenship or near-native fluency
• At least 120 hours of TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certification
• 2+ years of experience (preferred)
• Legal employment pass
• Medical certificate
• At least ‘A’ level language proficiency

The working conditions of these academies are different from public schools and normally offer lower pay starting from $1.500. Additionally, it hardly has any job benefits or security. Teachers here often work in multiple schools to earn a decent living and often work on weekends and holidays for better-earning prospects. However, private language centers have flexible schedules and it is a good place to start if you are looking for a full-time career in Singapore.

Teaching in Singapore - International Schools

International schools in the Philippines cater to the social and economic elites and are generally a major attraction for anyone looking for a job in the education sector. As a teacher of this school, you will be required to teach students from several countries who are either living with their parents or are on expat packages.

This type of position often requires teachers to be highly qualified and hold a teaching license from their specific country. To teach in international schools, competent candidates must have:

• A Master’s degree in English Language or Literature or a Post Graduate Diploma in Education from an accredited college or university
• Native English citizenship or near-native fluency
• Teaching licenses in English like DipED, PGDE, or equivalent
• At least 120 hours of TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certification
• 2-4 years of experience (preferred)
• At least ‘A’ level language proficiency
• IB Diploma or equivalent
• Legal employment pass
• Medical certificate

Since the competition for jobs in this sector is high, salary is also comparatively higher than in public schools or language centers. The salary ranges from $3,000 and can surge as per your qualifications. However, it is also one of the most demanding workplaces when it comes to workloads. Fortunately, most international schools also cover medical insurance and accommodation.

Teaching in Singapore - Private Lessons/Tutoring

Private lessons are another common option if you are keen on pursuing teaching as a profession in Singapore. The schedules and format of the classes vary from institution to institution depending on the programs they offer and facilitate classes during times that accommodate the student's lifestyle or work schedule like after work hours, early morning hours, or lunch hours. Since Singaporeans mostly learn their subjects in the school itself; you can also find zealous students and parents who are looking for private tutors.

This position does not have a huge list of requirements and you as a potential candidate must have:

• Bachelor’s degree or above in any subject from an accredited college or university
• Native English citizenship or near-native fluency
• At least 120 hours of TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certification
• Legal employment pass
• Medical certificate
• At least ‘A’ level language proficiency

Private lessons are not predominant in Singapore and thus the pay scale ranges from $35 to $50 per hour depending on your experience, the grade of the student, and the subject you are teaching. Even though this might sound like a lucrative option, it is best not to rely solely on these opportunities and can be considered as a part-time gig only.

Land a Teaching Job in Singapore

The tropical climate of Singapore leaves the country lush and green and over 50% of the nation is filled with nature reserves and parks. Additionally, since the country is composed of expatriates, the diversified cuisine is also a highlight for many job seekers.

Since more and more expats are considering Singapore as an option, the job market is fiercely competitive. However, regardless of the obstacles, a variety of educational jobs exist in Singapore for dedicated educators. You can work as:

• Curriculum/course developer
• Training Coordinator
• Corporate Instructor
• Educational consultant
• Language professor
• Child care center director
• Learning Specialist
• Senior program coordinator
• Curriculum leader

If you want to land a job in Singapore, here are some hot tips for a seamless job-seeking experience:

• Take refuge in one of the most popular websites like Jobscentral, MyCareersFuture, Snaphunt, Craiglist, etc.
• If you are focused to become a TEFL teacher then you can look for dedicated ESL- based sites like Jobstreet, Dave's ESL Cafe, Serious Teachers, JobsDB, etc.
• Get at least a 120-hour TEFL certification if you have not already polished your resume.

The academic year starts in March or April and finishes in December. All educational institutions enjoy a holiday period from July to September except the international schools as they run an extra term during this period. Moreover, it is essential to remember not to apply during Singapore National Day or Chinese New Year as you will get a delayed response.

Cost of Living in Singapore

Singapore is a forward-thinking, modern, and fast-paced country and hence the cost of living is high. With the cost of groceries, housing and transportation rising, Singapore is considered to be one of the most expensive cities in the world. However, salaries are often generous and do reflect the cost of living. Despite the statistics, daily life can be surprisingly affordable in many Western countries.

When you are coming to work in Singapore, housing might be the first roadblock as depending on the position offered and the employer, you may or may not receive accommodation facilities. In case it is not provided by your employer, you might want to start searching for it a month before your actual start date.

Depending on how much you earn and how frugal you are with money, here is a basic rundown of the expenses for foreign nationals living in Singapore:

• Food: Approximate $294 per grocery trip
• Transportation: Around $90 per month
• Entertainment (movies, clubs, bars, etc): Almost $68 every time you go out
• Housing: $1,200 per month for studio apartments and can raise up to$2,000 to $3,000 per month plus utility bills if these aren't included in rent

Major Perks of Teaching in Singapore

The average salary of educational professional ranges from $2,200 to $3,500 every month and it will allow you to save around $500 and above depending on your lifestyle. However, Singapore allows a comfortable living while offering numerous perks to its teachers.

Some of the common benefits included in Singapore teaching jobs include:

• Pension fund
• Medical insurance
• Teaching Material Allowance (TMA)
• Reimbursement of school fees paid by a teacher
• Free accommodation either on or off campus depending on your school and location
• Social security coverage or CPF and Medisave accounts allow you to save 50% of your earnings towards medical expenses and retirement respectively.
• Paid holidays of 1-2 weeks depending on your work experience and schools
• Paid sick leave

Popular Places to Teach in Singapore

Singapore is a gorgeous city-state and is divided into three main regions- the central region comprises Chinatown and downtown, the northern region includes Little India, and the Southern region includes Little Italy. The island will definitely win your heart with its ambiance and vibrancy and it is one of the best places to travel and teach.

Some of the best cities to teach in Singapore are:

Jurong East

This is a planned residential town and is well known for its modern facilities and infrastructure. Being one of the most famous cities, it is home to numerous international schools, private language academies, and fewer public schools.

Yishun

Once famous by the name of Nee Soon, this is another residential city located in the northern region. With a lot of religious places to visit, the city houses most of the public schools which makes it one of the most sought-after locations for job seekers. However, since the competition is fierce, you might end up in the international or language academies of this city.

Butik Batok

Considered to be the 25 th largest and 12 th most populated area in Singapore, it is one of its kind in the Gombak Norite. The area houses some of the best private language academies and public schools which makes it a favorable place to live and work for teachers. Being densely populated also makes private tutoring opportunities quite fulfilling.

Pulao Ujong

Also known as Mainland Singapore it is one of the most essential parts of the Malay Archipelago. Considered to be one of the most populated places in the world, it leaves teaching options in all sectors. Whether you are looking for public or international schools or willing to offer private lessons this city has a lot of opportunities for you.

Tampines

The third largest town of Singapore is majorly known for the luxurious feel attached to it. It is famous for teaching options offered by premium international schools and private language academies. The cost of living in this city is a little expensive but working here is a luxury as well.

Teach and Live in Singapore

If you are planning to teach in Singapore, you need to research the country's classroom culture and etiquette as it can be vastly different from what you experienced at home. Hierarchy is vital in Singaporean society and introductions are always done as per age and status. You should always be courteous and respectful and remember that personal relationships are the cornerstone of all business relationships.

The hierarchy of a student-teacher relationship is apparent in almost all classrooms and the students are obedient and relatively soft-spoken. Cultural norms vary from person to person and thus you should be culturally sensitive and avoid awkward situations. There are four official languages of Singapore which consist of Chinese, English, Malay, and Tamil and instructions in the educational institutions are mostly in English as well.

There is a high demand for English teachers in Singapore and owing to the growing demand Singapore offers a unique and rich culture where you can make plenty of friends and enjoy memorable experiences.