Singapore

Situated off the southern tip of the Malaysian Peninsula, Singapore is a vibrant, bustling city, country, and island, all in one. Measuring roughly 30 miles east to west, Mainland Singapore, or Pulau Ujong as it’s sometimes known locally, is surrounded by 64 offshore islets; and separated from Indonesia and Malaysia by the Singapore Strait and the Straits of Johor, respectively. The nation is a melting pot of diverse cultures and identities — while the majority of the country’s population is of Chinese descent, many Singaporeans have Malay and Indian roots, and you’ll likely hear a mishmash of different languages and dialects spoken throughout the island. Culture The country’s national slogan, “Onward Singapore,” is reflective of its explosive growth over the past couple of decades. Originally a port of trade frequented by pirates and fishermen, Singapore is now a cosmopolitan metropolis, its skyline alight with polished skyscrapers woven together by an efficient public transportation system. Integrated throughout this sleek urbanity is a dedication to sustainable practices and green living. Known around the world as the Garden City, Singapore is stippled with green space and parks, and championed worldwide for its eco-friendly efforts and clean policies. Singapore is home to not one, not two, not even three, but four official languages — Malay, Mandarin, Tamil, and English. Many Singaporeans are bilingual as a result: As English is the primary language used in professional…

Each country has its own requirements and qualifications when it comes to teaching. Some require a bachelor’s degree in any field. In others, you’ll qualify with only a high school diploma and your TEFL certificate. Some countries have strict visa requirements that may disqualify you based on your citizenship or criminal background. Let’s take a look at the qualifications needed for teaching English in Singapore. Education A minimum of a bachelor’s degree is required to teach English in Singapore, and a master’s degree (in any field) or teaching license is highly preferred. Many schools will seek out candidates in particular who have previous teaching experience and/or a teaching license from a country like the United States or the United Kingdom. Citizenship Although there are no specific citizenship requirements, teachers from countries other than the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand may find it more challenging to find work. English Fluency You must be a native English speaker in order to teach in Singapore. Background Check While a 100% clean criminal record check is not generally a requirement for an Employment Pass in Singapore, many schools — especially international schools — will require teachers to submit one during the application process. TEFL Certificate A TEFL certificate or teaching license is highly advantageous for all positions and may be required by individual schools. Age Ageism does exi…

Singapore, one of the most densely populated countries in the world, is also home to one of the most competitive, open economies in Asia and beyond. This sizable national populace, situated within a thriving, globalized economic context, would generate a large enough demand for English teachers as it were. Woven into Singapore’s national tapestry, however, is an added bonus — “Kiasu,” or a strong cultural emphasis on the importance of competition, achievement, and success. As ITA graduate Kelsey A. explains, “‘Kiasu’ is a term for a Singaporean mindset meaning the fear of losing out or the desire to be first. This can be seen throughout Singapore whether it be waiting in long queues in fear of losing out on what could potentially be at the end, or signing their children up for extra classes in order for them to be the best and the brightest.” With many Singaporeans motivated by this desire for academic success and achievement, qualified English teachers will find an array of English teaching opportunities throughout the country. Your classroom and school culture will vary a bit depending on whether you teach with a private language school, through a government-run program, or at an international school. Read on to find out more! Private Language Schools Foreign English teachers in Singapore will work primarily in private language schools, which can go by a variety of local names — you’ll sometimes hear these schools referred to as “tuition centres,” for instance, or “private …

Now that you’ve acquainted yourself with some of the most popular job types of Singapore, it’s time to start the application process. There are several steps to take to start the application process for Singapore. Heads up! The timelines for your job application process and for gathering documents for your visa will overlap. You’ll want to be working on both processes at roughly the same time. Be sure to check out our Teaching in Singapore Timeline , as well as the Applying for the Visa section for more information and to make sure you are staying on track with your documents while applying for teaching positions. Step 1: Prepare Your Initial Application Materials Resume & Cover Letter Your resume and cover letter are the keys to connecting with schools and recruiters and beginning the application process. International employers look for specific elements in a resume that may differ from what you’re used to seeing domestically. To take a deeper dive into international resumes and cover letters, visit the Resume and Cover Letter section! Once you’ve updated your resume and cover letter to meet the recommended international standards, submit your drafts to your Student Affairs Advisor for review. Photos As part of the application process, schools may request photos from you. A headshot photo is typical, which you can send with your application or attach to your resume. Don’t send any additional photos unless requested. Wear business casual clothing in your photos, in front o…

Congratulations on your job offer(s)! If you’ve been offered a position from a school in Singapore and you’ve followed our previous advice, you’re already off to a great start. But what’s next? Determining whether or not the offer is right for you. To help make this decision, follow the recommendations below by reviewing the basics. Whether you have one offer or several, the key elements you’ll want to take note of are: salary, working hours, vacation days, sick days, housing, airfare, insurance, and bonuses. Let’s take a closer look at what to expect with each of these elements. Review the Basics Salary The average starting salary for a first-year English teacher in Singapore is 3,700 to 4,800 SGD per month. Anything significantly lower or higher should make you ask a few questions. If the reason for the pay difference is obvious, like longer than average working hours, you might find you’re okay with it. But don’t accept a contract that is paying you less for doing the same amount of work the average English teacher does, or one that doesn’t fit into your work-life-travel balance. Working Hours Teaching English in Singapore is usually a full-time gig. However, there’s more than just the total number of working hours per week (typically 35 to 40) to consider. Will you have to work in the morning for a few hours and then come back for more in the evening? Does your school require that you show up an hour before your first class but it’s not included in your total contract h…

The word “visa” tends to provoke daunting images of endless red tape and paperwork but we’re here to ease your anxiety and hopefully have you zipping through this process like a pro. While the visa process in Singapore can be lengthy and involved at times, the good news is that the procedures are handled almost entirely by your employer. In general, once you land a job in Singapore, your hiring school or company will apply for your employment pass. Once the pass has been approved, you’ll enter Singapore and work with your employer to undergo a medical check. After that last step, you’ll be able to officially pick up your Employment Pass! In the words of ITA graduate Brittany S. , who taught in Singapore, “The visa process in Singapore can be complicated for the employer, but it was very easy for us. Our employer did all of the paperwork and got our visa application approved before we arrived. When we got here, we had to have a medical check-up and go to a government office to get the official visa. Our employer paid for everything. In order to get a working visa, you must have a Bachelor’s Degree, and it is easier to get if you are under 30 years old. ” Sounds straightforward enough, right? Let’s get started! Visa Types Employment Pass What is it? The Employment Pass allows foreign professionals — like yourself! — to work legally in Singapore. In order to get an Employment Pass, you will need to have secured a job with a Singaporean employer. More on that below! How do you ge…

In the days, weeks, and months leading up to your move abroad, it’s more important than ever to stay organized and ask yourself: What are the logistics I have to consider and the loose ends I have to tie up in order to thrive in my new home? Do I have to worry about taxes? What about health insurance? And what the heck do I do about a cell phone? Fear not, TEFL teacher. In this section, you’ll find the tips, resources, and wisdom to tackle these questions and more! Review the Basics Health Insurance Although in a perfect world an apple a day would keep the doctor away, in reality, even teachers get sick. Cue health insurance. Regardless of the country you end up in, you should always inquire about health insurance before accepting a position. If health insurance is indeed provided by your employer, it’s imperative that the relevant details are outlined clearly in any contract you sign. If you are formally employed by and working full time with a Singaporean company, you’ll likely receive basic health insurance as part of your benefits package. In some cases, you may be required to pay into your health insurance — if so, this cost will typically be deducted from your paycheck each month by your employer. Check out the Accepting the Right Offer section to learn more! If health insurance is not included in your contract or if you want to supplement your public health insurance with a more comprehensive private insurance option, you will want to do your own research in order to d…

You have finally made it to the end of the Singapore section, no small feat! Here is all of that wonderful information from the previous section laid out step-by-step and month-by-month before your intended departure date for Singapore. This timeline is not only for the planners and checklist lovers (although you will love this too!). It is strongly encouraged for anyone planning a move to Singapore to help keep you on track and organized as you make your way through the process. Finding a Job in Advance The hiring season in Singapore is all year round. That being said, schools typically do not hire during the Lunar New Year, which is around late January to early February. Take your desired start date and subtract from there. While it may be possible to move some parts of the process along quicker, follow this timeline as closely as possible. 6 months before departure: Begin your research ___ Decide to work with recruiters, apply directly, or both! ___ List out your preferences and priorities. ___ Network with ITA alumni, watch Instagram takeovers , and read about alumni experiences ___ Read through ITA’s resources, attend a Student Affairs webinar ___ Read about Singaporean culture ___ Ensure your passport will be valid six months past your anticipated return date or order a new passport. ___ Start saving up so you have enough money in your bank for start-up costs. It’s recommended to have between 7,450 – 9,200 SGD saved by the time you arrive. 4-6 months before departure: B…

The school we work for in an English Tuition Center. So the kids come here in addition to their regular school. Each child comes once per week for 90 minutes. The Singaporean parents are very concerned about their children's academic abilities and enroll them in many tuition centers. Most of the students already know English, so we teach them how to read (for the younger ones) or writing and grammar skills (the older ones). My company has 10 locations across Singapore. One major perk of this company is that all of the lessons are already created, so there is minimal lesson planning. I am also able to complete all of my grading during working hours, so I never have to take my work home with me! Brittany S. Singapore It's expensive compared to many countries in Asia, but the currency goes a long way when it comes to traveling to other nearby countries. This was and has remained a huge perk of working in Singapore. Christopher H. Singapore Singapore is a unique choice for a TEFL certificate holder on the job hunt. Primarily, the people here already speak English. More specifically, people speak a dialect of English called “Singlish”. “Singlish” is a hybrid between English and the mother tongues of the different Singaporean ethnic groups (Chinese, Malay, and Indian). The dialect is exclusive to the city-state and surprisingly challenging for non-Singaporeans to replicate, although I’ve heard many try.“Singlish” plays an important role in the demand for foreign teachers in Singapo…