Singapore Expats

Teaching in Singapore

Discuss about getting a well paid job or career advancement. Ask about salaries, expat packages, CPF & taxes for expatriate.
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Springbok
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Teaching in Singapore

Post by Springbok » Sat, 27 Feb 2010 4:14 am

Hello everybody :D

I have an opportunity to teach in Singapore within the Ministry of Education. I just wanted to find out a couple of things and would appreciate any answers or advice on the following:

1. Is S$3 400 a decent salary there? I think it’s around 2 400USD.
2. What is it like teaching in Singapore?
3. How much does a person spend on monthly expenses? I know this various from person to person, but I would just like to get a medium idea :)

If any teachers are reading this, could you please PM me if you wouldn’t mind helping me out with a couple of other queries?

Thanks
Life, Challenge and Dare

Nyambura
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Seems low

Post by Nyambura » Sat, 27 Feb 2010 1:15 pm

U havent mentioned the other benefits yu are entittled to . I f you are being offered housing,medical and travel tickets back home may be but it seems low to me. Being an expert is quite expensive and the mistake most experts make is converting the monies to your local currency yet your expenditure ,50% will be in the Work location local currency.

I personally wouldnt come running unless there are some major issues and i desperately need this money. 6000 wouldnt be bad with all benefits given and if you are single. If you are moving with your family i think u shd drop it because you will be so unhappy.. All the best as yu make this tough decision.

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intellectualsmuse
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Re: Teaching in Singapore

Post by intellectualsmuse » Sat, 27 Feb 2010 4:48 pm

Springbok wrote:Hello everybody :D

I have an opportunity to teach in Singapore within the Ministry of Education. I just wanted to find out a couple of things and would appreciate any answers or advice on the following:

1. Is S$3 400 a decent salary there? I think it’s around 2 400USD.
2. What is it like teaching in Singapore?
3. How much does a person spend on monthly expenses? I know this various from person to person, but I would just like to get a medium idea :)

If any teachers are reading this, could you please PM me if you wouldn’t mind helping me out with a couple of other queries?

Thanks
Am assuming you're single and hence there isn't a question of bringing your family here. But if it is otherwise then, I can tell you straight up that SGD 3400 would be inadequate.

1.You need to consider the entire package being offered to you. Housing is one of the big ticket items when it comes to expenses. If they're offering you staff quarters that would equate to atleast a 1000 SGD (if you were looking for a decent place to stay even in the most farflung suburb). Witht hat out of the way, even if you were to spend 20$ a day on food your monthly expense works out to an incremental 600$. Staff quarters are typically close to the institute so hopefully you save on the transport cost too. Apart from that you will need to factor in your lifestyle. If you live conservatively, you should able to save 1500 SGD a month. If thats good enough for you then great!

2. Can't help with that.

3. Kind of covered in 1. above :-) Oh and by the way you get a crazy amount of leave- I think it was 42 days or something which is awesome. Someone told me they'd modified it to 21 days but thats not too bad either. Other perks include tickets to your home city and back and also one time relocation expenses reimbursement.

Hope this helps! All the very best :-)
For those who fight for it, life has a flavor the sheltered will never know.

Springbok
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Post by Springbok » Sat, 27 Feb 2010 10:12 pm

Thanks for the info.

Housing is not included. . . :( Airfare to Singapore is and back to my home country once the contract has expired... Do you teach in Singapore?
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Nyambura
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piece of advise

Post by Nyambura » Sun, 28 Feb 2010 1:28 am

If u are using this offer to learn a new enviroment and for personal experiment , Stick to a short contract probably one year. A fter that you can re-negotiate your terms and if it fails ,you apply else where.

The leave is guaranteed because kids must go on holiday and by then teachers are also exhausted to death so its nothing to write home about.Its not a previlage in my opinion.

Consult the recruiter on the schools policy on tution, as a teacher you can make some extra bucks assisting weaker students but it involves putting in extra hours as you m ay already know. They should be able to advise you prior or you will figure out when you get to the school.

Confirm with them also if the long holidays (summer in particular) will be paid to you. I once alsmost signed a contract where it was stipulated i wouldnt get paid in July and August even though iwas still under contract with the school. It wasnt in Singapore but in another country my husband was working then.

If all fails, dont worry nothing beats teh joy of seeing happy loving kids towards their teacher and their parents .

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k1w1
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Post by k1w1 » Tue, 02 Mar 2010 3:03 pm

Woefully inadequate. Do not bother. Register for some job fairs, or failing that, google all the International Schools in Singapore and start calling/emailing. Schools are recruiting now for the new school year in Aug.

I'm a teacher here. PM me if I can help.

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