Singapore is one of the most appealing destinations to teach in Asia with modern infrastructure, low crime rates and really high TEFL salaries.
Singapore is a strict society but it is slowly (very slowly) opening up and there now some amazing bars and nightlife. You’ll find Singapore a multi-cultural nation with people from all corners of the globe and all walks of life.
There are not many teaching English jobs in Singapore outside the public schools and international schools. People who tend to teach English here are older and a bit more settled. Most of the young teachers interested in partying tend to go to nearby Thailand.
Teaching Jobs in Singapore
TEFL positions can be found at language and international schools.
PGCE qualified teachers will find a cornucopia of jobs available at private international school which are extremely well paid and have great benefits packages. University lecturing positions are available at some private universities, institutions like Informatics and the Singapore Polytechnics.
TEFL qualified teachers can head for the numerous language institutes in the city catering for the large numbers of students coming in from other Asian countries, notably Indonesia and China, who are aiming to study in Singapore institutions. Schools to look out for are Inlingua, A/T, GEOS, Blue Harvest, while the British Council is a good point of call for CELTA qualified teachers. There are many centres offering tuition for Singaporean children for those who prefer working with children.
FAQ
Country Facts
• Dailing Code: +65
• Area: 728.6 km²
• Population: 5.686 million (2020) World Bank
• Currency: Singapore Dollar
Currency
The currency of Singapore is the Singapore Dollar. (Currency code: SGD). Money changers are reliable and easy to find. Notes come in denominations of SGD 2, SGD 5, SGD 10, SGD 20, SGD 50, SGD 100, SGD 500, SGD 1,000, and SGD 10,000. Coins come in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents and SGD 1.
Salary
Most TEFL teachers earn around $2,500 – $3,500 USD per month. Salaries are very high especially compared to other countries in Asia.
Requirements
• Be a native English speaker with citizenship from the U.S., U.K., Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or South Africa.
• Have a degree
• Completed a TEFL certification
Visa
To work legally in Singapore you will need something known as an ‘Employment Pass.” To get this you will need to have a job offer and then your school will be able to sponsor the visa and help you with the paperwork process.
Accommodation
Budget: S$ 10 – 40. Most low end accommodation is available in the Bencoolen Road area and in little India. Get off at Dhoby Ghaut MRT station and look for the now famous Peony Mansions. Many hotels in the Geylang area have very comfortable rooms for as little as S$45 a night.
Mid-range: S$40-80.
High: S$80-200.
Deluxe: S$200+
Accommodation is expensive. Estate agents will help to find something for you but then charge half of the first month’s rent for their services. A room in someone’s apartment will cost around S$400 a month, and your own HDB (government housing board) apartment can be anything from S$1000 and up, but these are hard to come by because by law, Singaporeans are not permitted to rent out state subsidized housing. Luxury condominiums are the easiest to find, and are usually 2 or 3 bedrooms, so can be shared among teachers. Most start at around S$2500 a month.
Living in Singapore – top things to see and do
Singapore, although small, bristles with wonderful sites and plenty of attractions.
In the city centre, green spots like Fort Canning Park offer a pleasant respite from the bustle. It also has its own War museum which is interactive and loads of fun, and a wonderful theatre with daily events. Other green spots are the majestic Macritchie Reservoir with it’s jungle walkway, the lovely Botanical Gardens at the end of Orchard Road, and the Sungei Buloh Wetland reserve.
Little India is a cultural getaway, and try Arab Street for some authentic Muslim experiences. China Town, on the other side of the city, is also fascinating and gives a real glimpse into Singapore’s close ties with the Chinese motherland.
There is plenty of shopping in Orchard Road, and most of everywhere else in the city. Have a look around CHIJMES, which was once a Catholic school, but has been converted into a centre for nightlife and dining.
The East Coast area offers pleasant beaches and the opportunity to windsurf or in-line-skate for the 3 or 4 mile long sea-front boulevard. Try Sentosa Island for a few fun-packed days. Sentosa is an island dedicated to tourism, with its own funfair, theme parks, monorail system, bird sanctuary, beaches and museums. It also houses the Underwater World, which is expensive to get into, but a real treat.
Other major attractions include the night-safari, the Jurong Bird Park and the numerous museums sprinkled around the city. The Art Museum is impressive and the Asian Civilisations Museum is worth a visit.
And then there are the neighbouring islands, notably Pulau Ubin which is a great place to spend the day cycling around in the cool shade of the forests.
Singapore TEFL Reviews & Testimonials
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