Teacher training in Singapore

[Sparks]

Hello. I am a UK citizen (in my early forties with no dependants) and have had four years' experience, in total, living and working in Singapore; I am, however, currently living in the UK and am very eager (DESPERATE?) to return to Singapore.

I have a first-class honours degree in mathematics and have had nearly two years' experience working as a non-qualified supply teacher specialising in mathematics in the UK. I have worked in the past as a lecturer in Singapore, but there appears to be no suitable vacancies for me at present (and this has been the case for some time). I am seriously considering applying to the MOE in Singapore for employment/training leading to a PGDE. (For a variety of reasons, I have completely ruled out the option of doing a PGCE in the UK). Is there anyone out there who has any experience, views or insight into foreigners doing teacher training in Singapore. (I have already contacted the MOE in Singapore and they have indicated that I can apply and if accepted would be employed as an education officer during my training).

Any help would be gratefully received.

Thanks

[xetrastock]

I'm in a very similar situation. However, I'm only in my 20s and giving tutorials at my university has been my only teaching experience. Very interested in teaching maths in asia/australia and was just wondering if you had any luck with your application to MoE.

[viajera]

just this weekend, i saw a number of ads about universities looking for lecturers in the Straits Times. try looking for the online job search engines; perhaps they advertise there as well.

[k1w1]

Hello. I am a UK citizen (in my early forties with no dependants) and have had four years' experience, in total, living and working in Singapore; I am, however, currently living in the UK and am very eager (DESPERATE?) to return to Singapore.

I have a first-class honours degree in mathematics and have had nearly two years' experience working as a non-qualified supply teacher specialising in mathematics in the UK. I have worked in the past as a lecturer in Singapore, but there appears to be no suitable vacancies for me at present (and this has been the case for some time). I am seriously considering applying to the MOE in Singapore for employment/training leading to a PGDE. (For a variety of reasons, I have completely ruled out the option of doing a PGCE in the UK). Is there anyone out there who has any experience, views or insight into foreigners doing teacher training in Singapore. (I have already contacted the MOE in Singapore and they have indicated that I can apply and if accepted would be employed as an education officer during my training).

Any help would be gratefully received.

Thanks

I don't think it's a good idea for you to do your teacher training here. You will be bonded to work in government schools for three years, and will be paid a pittance. Locals have the option of living with families or something - you will not.

Singapore's education system is notorious for being exam-focused and teachers tend to drill rather than teach. It is for this reason that local teachers have a very hard time getting work in International Schools here and would have difficulty working overseas. If you were planning to go back to the UK at any stage, I don't know if this would even be recognised.

My advice is to do your masters and get lecturing work. Some universities allow direct entry to Ph.d with a good enough honours degree.

If you're really that desperate to come to Singapore, then you could do the distance training course through Monash university (Australia), and work somewhere at the same time. That way, you could do placements in International Schools and would have a better chance of getting a job in one once completed.