TEFL Travel Guide: Singapore
Merry Christmas! We hope you’re having a great time celebrating Christmas, and are taking a well earned festive break! As the new year approaches, it’s the perfect time to envision the opportunities ahead and plan for an exciting future—especially one of our favorites: travel!
An incredibly unique, vibrant, and richly cultured place - Singapore needs to be on your TEFL bucket list! It’s a global metropolis with many facets that everyone must experience at least once in their lifetime. With a population of around 5 million, Singapore sits in Southeast Asia off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. It's a thriving city with world-class infrastructure, vibrant living spaces, and has a seamless mix of technology, innovation, and natural beauty. We’ll give you all the need-to-know info to make Singapore your next TEFL destination!
TEFL Requirements
To teach English in Singapore, you’ll need to hold both a bachelor's degree and an accredited TEFL certification. We’d recommend you have a Level 5 (180-Hour) certificate if you really want to impress prospective employers! A Level 2 (120-Hour) Certificate will sometimes suffice, but those extra training hours will really enhance any future applications.
Due to the visa requirements to work in Singapore, you’ll need to have a degree. This doesn’t have to be in English - it can be in anything! With most jobs in Singapore, your employer will be the one to sort your visa out. We’d recommend having your important documents ready to make the process easier, these include: a headshot, two recommendation letters from a previous employer or professor, a copy of your degree certificate, a copy of your passport, a copy of your TEFL certificate and a signed copy of your criminal background check.
It’s always a good idea to have some teaching experience under your belt before you begin applying for positions abroad. The demand for EFL teachers in Singapore is high, so you’ll want to make sure you do everything you can to make sure you get the job.
TEFL Jobs in Singapore
Singapore is described as a powerhouse economy, so you can expect to be paid fairly. Average monthly salaries can be up to as much as S$5000 (£2,950). The job market for EFL teachers in Singapore is very competitive. It’s common to expect to sign at least a two-year contract with future employers such as international schools and public schools. There are many routes into EFL teaching in Singapore and one might be better suited to you than the others.
Public schools. Although usually not the highest-paying jobs, Singapore has an excellent public education system, and the benefits for teachers are excellent. You should expect to sign at least a 12-month contract to teach in a public school. You can apply through the Ministry of Education.
Private schools. This might be the better option for those looking to teach to smaller groups and potentially some 1-to-1 classes.
International schools. International schools tend to offer the highest salaries, but you’ll need to be highly qualified to secure a job in one. Some schools can offer up to S$12,000 (£7,000) a month. You’ll likely be required to hold a degree in an English subject and potentially have done some postgraduate study.
Private tutoring. Often used as a sideline for EFL teachers in Singapore. Private lessons are most often for adult learners and specialist areas of TEFL such as Business English.
Life in Singapore
It’s useful to know the expected cost of living when you consider moving abroad to teach. Singapore can be quite an expensive place to live. Actually, Singapore was ranked as the joint-most most expensive city in the world by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). You can expect to pay between £1500 - £2500 a month for an apartment (depending on location). Some schools might cover accommodation in your contract, as well as healthcare.
Utility bills are usually up to £125 a month. Some teachers choose to live in shared accommodation to help reduce their outgoings. However, it’s worth mentioning that taxes in Singapore are considerably less than in other nations, so you’ll be able to save some of your income. Transport and food are fairly cheap, so it’s not all bad!
Culturally, Singapore is a mix of Chinese, Malayans, Indians and expats from around the world. This is reflected in the colonial architecture in Singapore City, Little India and China Town, Thian Hock Keng (the oldest Buddhist temple) and the vibrant colours of Sri Mariamman (a Hindu temple). It’s a fairly small place and has a variety of transportation options that make it relatively easy to get around, including a mass transit system, dedicated cycling paths, and taxis. Some of our top recommendations include: Gardens By the Bay, Kampong Glam, Pulau Ubin, and Haw Par Villa.
Ready to make it happen? Get your Level 5 TEFL Certificate today and prepare to embark on an exciting adventure in Singapore!
