Singapore Expats

UK graduate teacher looking for opportunities in Singapore.

Discuss about getting a well paid job or career advancement. Ask about salaries, expat packages, CPF & taxes for expatriate.
Post Reply
ukteach
Member
Member
Posts: 21
Joined: Tue, 22 Jan 2013 5:37 am

Post by ukteach » Sat, 17 Aug 2013 9:06 pm

PNGMK wrote:Are you a christian (protestant preferably)? If so I know some missionary schools who will take you right now which will get you some experience.
I have been brought up as a Christian, yes, so I would be open to working in missionary schools. I'd appreciate if you could PM me some further details so I can send my CV to them.

Thanks!

ukteach
Member
Member
Posts: 21
Joined: Tue, 22 Jan 2013 5:37 am

Post by ukteach » Wed, 21 Aug 2013 3:22 pm

So, I got an email back from Teachanywhere. Apparently their schools in Asia require at least 2 years experience and I should look at roles in the Middle East. Funny, because when I looked through the job openings, there were quite a few Indonesian schools welcoming recent graduates.

Also I've just learnt that apparently I need to be 27 to teach in Malaysia. I'm not sure if that's a strict requirement, but a large proportion of job advertisements drill that home. Even TEFL courses in Malaysia ask for applications to be 27 or over. And I haven't heard back from the schools I applied to in Johor. Sigh.

Career fair in a few days, and hopefully meeting up with some expats. I am really determined to find something here but if I don't have any luck in the next few weeks, I'm really going to have to consider working elsewhere :(

ftv88licia
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue, 28 Aug 2012 2:20 pm
Location: Singapore

Teaching positions in SG

Post by ftv88licia » Sat, 24 Aug 2013 6:12 pm

Hi There,

I can understand the difficulties that you're going through. Trying to find a job, let alone a job in the teaching industry isn't easy. I'm currently teaching art here in sg and there aren't many places that employ foreign citizens. However, I do have some tips for you. Firstly, do you specialize in any language or subjects? Perhaps you specialize in English for example, there are private centers that is looking for teachers that can teach subjects. If you have any musical or arts experience, you could try for private drama, arts or music centres.
Secondly, there is a boom in childcare centres looking for childcare experience, If you want, spend a little more money on courses that offer childcare diplomas like the SEED institute. Once you've received it you can actually apply for many jobs. NTUC also has many job openings where you need a teaching degree, and they do sponsor your education depending on what you want to do. They have many education centres around sg. Other private centres are learning lab, etc etc.
Another thing you could do is to something sorta related to your degree. It would be possibly easier to get those kind of jobs first while looking for a teaching job. Maybe in the admin of a school? or a school coordinator? If you try, I'm sure you'll be able to get something....

Good luck and all the best for your search!

User avatar
PNGMK
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 9079
Joined: Thu, 21 Mar 2013 9:06 pm
Answers: 10
Location: Sinkapore

Post by PNGMK » Sat, 24 Aug 2013 7:56 pm

ukteach wrote:So, I got an email back from Teachanywhere. Apparently their schools in Asia require at least 2 years experience and I should look at roles in the Middle East. Funny, because when I looked through the job openings, there were quite a few Indonesian schools welcoming recent graduates.

Also I've just learnt that apparently I need to be 27 to teach in Malaysia. I'm not sure if that's a strict requirement, but a large proportion of job advertisements drill that home. Even TEFL courses in Malaysia ask for applications to be 27 or over. And I haven't heard back from the schools I applied to in Johor. Sigh.

Career fair in a few days, and hopefully meeting up with some expats. I am really determined to find something here but if I don't have any luck in the next few weeks, I'm really going to have to consider working elsewhere :(
Go teach English in China or Japan for a year?

ukteach
Member
Member
Posts: 21
Joined: Tue, 22 Jan 2013 5:37 am

Re: Teaching positions in SG

Post by ukteach » Thu, 29 Aug 2013 11:47 am

ftv88licia wrote:Hi There,

I can understand the difficulties that you're going through. Trying to find a job, let alone a job in the teaching industry isn't easy. I'm currently teaching art here in sg and there aren't many places that employ foreign citizens. However, I do have some tips for you. Firstly, do you specialize in any language or subjects? Perhaps you specialize in English for example, there are private centers that is looking for teachers that can teach subjects. If you have any musical or arts experience, you could try for private drama, arts or music centres.
Unfortunately I don't really have any specialised experience. I have quite a bit of experience working with special needs children, so I have approached a few special needs schools. I also have a mild hearing impairment, so I can empathise with the children's difficulties. Unfortunately I'm starting to worry that it is my own hearing impairment that is making it tough for me to get a job - especially for English language positions.
Secondly, there is a boom in childcare centres looking for childcare experience, If you want, spend a little more money on courses that offer childcare diplomas like the SEED institute. Once you've received it you can actually apply for many jobs. NTUC also has many job openings where you need a teaching degree, and they do sponsor your education depending on what you want to do. They have many education centres around sg. Other private centres are learning lab, etc etc.
Will look into SEED and NTUC. I wouldn't mind doing a specific diploma or certification on top of my degree, but I'm not sure whether I could fund it. Maybe sponsorship is the way to go. I've applied to quite a few private preschools and tuition centres, 80-90% of the time I get told "SC/SPR only".


Another thing you could do is to something sorta related to your degree. It would be possibly easier to get those kind of jobs first while looking for a teaching job. Maybe in the admin of a school? or a school coordinator? If you try, I'm sure you'll be able to get something....
Good luck and all the best for your search!
Mm, this is what I've been told to try and do by friends. It's just difficult to find these kind of jobs that are open to foreigners.

I'll keep searching :)

ukteach
Member
Member
Posts: 21
Joined: Tue, 22 Jan 2013 5:37 am

Post by ukteach » Thu, 29 Aug 2013 11:50 am

PNGMK wrote:
Go teach English in China or Japan for a year?
Both of those are an option, but I'm not sure that teaching English is my forte. I have a hearing impairment which makes teaching language difficult, and sometimes students may struggle to understand me (especially when their firs t language isn't English).

I'm wondering if there are any International Schools in Asia that might take me, but I need to do a bit more research. I think quite a few of them are going to ask for x number of years post-qualification experience.

ukteach
Member
Member
Posts: 21
Joined: Tue, 22 Jan 2013 5:37 am

Post by ukteach » Thu, 12 Sep 2013 1:21 am

Just an update! I've been offered a job at an International School here, and am starting very soon. Looks like all the hard work over the past 5-6 months, including the recent 2.5 months in Singapore has paid off after all!

Just waiting on my EP now.

100+ emails
50+ applications
10 interviews
3 offers (1 rejected due to overseas posting, 1 due to extremely low salary, 1 perfect offer!)

So, so excited to be starting work soon and finally being worthy of the 'expat' title :D

User avatar
PNGMK
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 9079
Joined: Thu, 21 Mar 2013 9:06 pm
Answers: 10
Location: Sinkapore

Post by PNGMK » Thu, 12 Sep 2013 8:28 am

ukteach wrote:Just an update! I've been offered a job at an International School here, and am starting very soon. Looks like all the hard work over the past 5-6 months, including the recent 2.5 months in Singapore has paid off after all!

Just waiting on my EP now.

100+ emails
50+ applications
10 interviews
3 offers (1 rejected due to overseas posting, 1 due to extremely low salary, 1 perfect offer!)

So, so excited to be starting work soon and finally being worthy of the 'expat' title :D
Fantastic and well done. In a few years it will be much easier with some experience to move around.

User avatar
the lynx
Governor
Governor
Posts: 5281
Joined: Thu, 09 Dec 2010 6:29 pm
Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Location:

Post by the lynx » Thu, 12 Sep 2013 8:37 am

ukteach wrote:Just an update! I've been offered a job at an International School here, and am starting very soon. Looks like all the hard work over the past 5-6 months, including the recent 2.5 months in Singapore has paid off after all!

Just waiting on my EP now.

100+ emails
50+ applications
10 interviews
3 offers (1 rejected due to overseas posting, 1 due to extremely low salary, 1 perfect offer!)

So, so excited to be starting work soon and finally being worthy of the 'expat' title :D
That's great. Congratulations. Hope the rest goes smoothly for you from here.

Post Reply
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Return to “Careers & Jobs in Singapore”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 12 guests