Job Discussion Forums

[volar]

Hi there,

In September I will be in Thailand getting my TEFL cert. Afterward my heart is set on working in Singapore. Will be flying into Singapore before taking the course to drop things off at my friend's place. Do you suggest talking to schools then, right before being certified to get the name out there? What schools do you suggest?
From reading other posts, it sounds like it may be a challenge to find a job, but I am very willing to work hard.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[sheepshead]

Volar does not say what other credentials she / he has if any. If you want to work in Singapore you no doubt will find that you will need a degree in an English related field plus plus.

If you have a degree and a TEFL / TESOL Certificate then you may get employment at one of the scumbag language schools even if it is run by caucsians. These schools generally pay peanuts and I will not say how you are expected to act as it would not be fitting of a gentleman.

Should you have only a TEFL / TESOL or any other certificate then maybe you should consider staying in Thailand and get two or three years experience.

I hope that I have saved you from anguish associated with working in Singapore. The Singaporean Government has not learnt to draft and enforce a National Standard Contract for teachers as to eliminate the undesireables who operate language institutions. Irrespective of whether these operators are Singaporeans or Caucasians, they ride on the backs of Singaporeans.

Check out the posting of Krakatoa for a clear statement by the Ministry of Manpower Re: Contracts or parts which are Nul and Void.

I hope that my negative posting will save you some misery in your life.

Caveat Emptor!

You have been warned!

Sheepshead.

[volar]

Sorry, forgot to say that I do have a double degree in cultural communications and Spanish.
I understand that Singapore is probably not the easiest place to find work, but am going to try. Any suggestions that might be a little more positive?

[wailing_imam]

Look at the Straits Times Classified. Go to a few interviews. You'll score a job fairly easily (much easier if you are white - schools are unfortunately a tad rascist when it comes to these matters) I'd recommend a school that has you in at regular hours (9-5) where you teach three hours in the morning and three in the afternoon as opposed to a school that can get you in to teach any time (9-9).

You will need a degree plus either a few years' teaching experience or a TEFL Cert. to get a job in a language school.

Don't expect a great deal of initial help once you have the job. Most school are used to teachers having a bit of experience and being able to get stuck in there without being told what to do. For this reason alone, I'd say Singapore isn't a great place to start teaching if you don't have any experience. Better options exist in China, Indonesia. In Singapore you will have to do more hours than in most other countries (usually 30hrs classroom time) and they are somewhat fond of meetings after work.

For a single, the pay is sufficient for life plus a bit of saving and travelling.
If you are a single bloke and quite young, you'll meet some lovely girls and have a top time.

[Krakatoa]

wailing-imam

Do not forget that one language school specialising in reading skills requires you to provide a mobile phone number so they can call you on a minutes notice. Further they require a 176 hour work (lunar) month, 9am to 9pm availability with one day off per week. Bonus on the completion of contract is defined by whom? Plus further pitfalls for the uninitiated.

Just one of the organisations not too pleasant to work for! However, any person wanting to work on Singapore should get the Ministry of Manpower to check the contract for all clauses of any contract being legal.

Prospective teachers should P.M. me or check direct with the Singapore Government�s Ministry of Manpower:
Ministry of Manpower, Attn: Labour Relations Department, Singapore (http://www.mom.gov.sg/) and have their professional and legal advice on section 10 of the Singapore Employment Act in pertinence to their contract. This is just my opinion.

If I may, I would like to add to your preferred list of countries for new teachers: Korea, Japan, and at least two private schools operating in Australia.