| For too long Singapore has been dominated by its | | | | more likely to be teaching (in quantity order from my |
| larger cousins in the global market for TEFL/ESL | | | | experience) mainland Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, |
| destinations. It is natural to head to Thailand and | | | | Indonesian, Malaysian, Filipino, Japanese, Thai, and even |
| Vietnam, completing ignoring this inspiring compact | | | | Burmese citizens. This provides for a very enjoyable |
| island. No more should the Lion City just be a refuge to | | | | experience because, more than likely, you’ll have |
| teachers from Thailand looking for some civilisation | | | | multilingual classes to teach. Furthermore it may be |
| while on a holiday break. Lucrative TEFL/ESL | | | | exciting to note that Singapore has far less kids’ |
| opportunities exist that allow teachers to save and | | | | classes than the rest of Asia. Naturally, this is due to |
| provide for a lifestyle teachers in Thailand and Vietnam | | | | the fact that English is the language of class in state |
| can only dream of. Salaries are high, classes involve | | | | schools. |
| mostly adults, and schedules are usually done in blocks | | | | Moving on from just the aspect of work, Singapore as |
| – all highly rated in any TEFL/ESL job. | | | | a destination for expats, offers a very comfortable |
| Singapore has a lot to offer which other countries | | | | tropical lifestyle. The weather is characterised by two |
| don’t. Firstly, in the region of South East Asia, TEFL | | | | distinct seasons; wet and dry, and every day is hot! |
| ESL salaries far outstrip those of neighbouring | | | | The vast majority of schools will employ air |
| countries. Teachers can expect to start at USD 2500 | | | | conditioning though to make the teaching experience |
| a month, most likely beating the USD 3000 mark. While | | | | far more comfortable. Singapore is renowned for its |
| the cost of accommodation may seem high on this | | | | multi-ethnic cuisine. The real joy of living there is being |
| small island, other costs such as transport and food | | | | able to choose from Chinese, Malaysian, Korean, Thai, |
| are incredibly cheap when compared to the Europe, | | | | Vietnamese and European cuisine every day. Food is |
| and even the US. This provides for a very | | | | incredibly cheap, with amazing outdoor (but covered!) |
| comfortable lifestyle indeed, where teachers can | | | | food courts providing for a fiesta of food to brighten |
| experience the world famous diverse cuisine, spend | | | | any day. Fresh fruit juices and exotic cut fruits at rock |
| money travelling, and of course save. | | | | bottom prices will make you feel great. |
| The job search in Singapore is undeniably best done | | | | Accommodation on the island is where serious thought |
| on the ground when you get there. This is convenient | | | | must be considered. Occupying a relatively small island |
| as Singapore is a major international flight hub, and | | | | with 4 million people naturally means rents are high – |
| visitors from native English speaking countries can | | | | far higher than neighbouring countries. The vast |
| enter freely for stays between 30 – 90 days. While | | | | majority of people occupy an apartment in a block of |
| arriving with nothing may worry some teachers on a | | | | flats. These come in two levels of quality; HDB (a form |
| shoe-string budget, it is important to remember that | | | | of public housing provided by the government) and |
| unlike Japan, costs are low, and the market isn’t | | | | condominiums (high quality private apartments, usually |
| already saturated by other English teachers in the | | | | but not always, with shared facilities like swimming |
| same boat. Some jobs are advertised online, mainly on | | | | pools, gyms etc). HDB flats are generally older and of |
| and ESL Cafe’s international job board. However, | | | | lower quality (and sometimes without air con), but are |
| these may not necessarily be the best deals, and the | | | | of course cheaper. Condos can be anything from |
| on the ground job search allows you to negotiate an all | | | | satisfactory to breathtaking. Rents for HDB flats start |
| round better deal. | | | | at around SGD 800 a month, with condominiums |
| Who will employ you when you get there? For an | | | | starting at around SGD 1500. Obviously, costs depend |
| island with a population of around 4 million people, | | | | on a lot of factors, location being a major one. My own |
| Singapore has a high density of Educational colleges | | | | private recommendation would be to look for a |
| and private institutes. There is a palpable feeling in the | | | | refurbished HDB flat, rather than a cheaper, lower |
| air of everyone trying to better themselves. This | | | | quality condo. I would also strongly dissuade anyone |
| means business and money to the TEFL/ESL teacher. | | | | from seeking an apartment around the long Geylang |
| A CELTA/Trinity TESOL candidate’s best bet, like | | | | Road, being the red light district, as it is extremely |
| elsewhere in the world, is to contact the major private | | | | seedy. |
| language chains; Berlitz, The British Council, Cambridge | | | | In terms of cultural and leisure activities Singapore has |
| Institute, GEOS, Linguaphone, Shines Education, Wall | | | | somewhat to offer. Firstly, let’s deal with the |
| Street Institute and many more that are dotted along | | | | common derisory remark that Singapore is one large |
| Orchard Road. Job opportunities can also be had in the | | | | shopping mall. This is true to an extent, and there are |
| Straits Times online job classifieds at The benefits of | | | | very many malls. This will obviously be music to the |
| turning up on the spot are obvious; it will look like | | | | ears of those who like shopping, and potentially |
| you’re in it for the long(ish) haul, you can impress | | | | nightmarish for those who don’t. Sampling new |
| with a professional appearance and demeanour, and | | | | food at food courts and restaurants is a very special |
| more importantly, you can negotiate your salary with | | | | Singapore experience, as is exploring the different |
| your future employer. | | | | quarters; Chinese, Indian, Malay, Korean, and Thai. The |
| It will please many aspiring applicants to know that | | | | centre of the island is still virgin jungle and ideal for |
| TEFL/ESL job seekers in Singapore don’t | | | | trekking, most notably Bukit Timah and Macritichie |
| necessarily need certification in CELTA/Trinity TESOL, | | | | Reservoir Park being the most authentic jungle. |
| although it will drag down your salary. More important is | | | | Beaches are OK in Singapore, but the sheer amount |
| having a recognised, three year degree, which the | | | | of large boats out in the harbour may discourage you |
| government requires for immigration purposes. | | | | from swimming. An array of smaller islands around it |
| Don’t let this worry you though. Obtaining the | | | | are also great for exploring; particularly Kusu, Ubin, |
| necessary Employment Pass is a very simple process, | | | | Lazarus and haunted Hantu. The island resort of |
| merely requiring some forms to be filled in. This can be | | | | Sentosa is usually very busy and a bit overrated in my |
| done in Singapore and you don’t have to leave the | | | | opinion for leisure and entertainment. |
| country to complete the process at a High | | | | In conclusion, for an aspiring teacher looking for a place |
| Commission of theirs. It may be of interest to note that | | | | to start, or for an experienced one seeking a fresh |
| if you earn above SGD 4000 a month, you don’t | | | | start, I would strongly recommend Singapore. Reasons |
| need to undergo a medical examination. | | | | of income, food, and climate make this a very |
| Who will you teach is an often underestimated | | | | attractive destination for TEFL/ESL. Flexible |
| question and it is very important to note that teachers | | | | immigration makes this a good place to make your |
| are extremely unlikely to be actually teaching native | | | | TEFL/ESL debut, while the above factors make the |
| Singaporeans. Having been a colony of the United | | | | city a great place to linger for a few years. Singapore |
| Kingdom until 1963, and having English as the official | | | | offers enough of the great things about Asia while low |
| language, means English is very well established there. | | | | on the downsides that make other countries harder to |
| This may not be reflected in standards of local English, | | | | live in such as crime, pollution, begging/touting. So, when |
| but for the most part, this is dealt with by the | | | | considering Asia as an English teaching destination, |
| government during a child’s education. You are far | | | | don’t rule out the Lion City. |