The Best English Language Schools in Singapore
The Singaporean workforce is generally bilingual, with most locals having a good command of English, alongside their mother tongue which could be Mandarin, Malay, or Tamil. The strategic emphasis on English within Singapore’s education system has turned the city-state into an attractive global hub for business and international relations. Simultaneously, the reinforcement of mother tongue languages plays a vital role in preserving the diverse ethnic heritage and ensuring cultural continuity. In Singapore, the language policies within the education system have been a defining factor in the nation’s approach to bilingualism.
However, most students were ethnically segregated and enrolled in private schools where the medium of instruction corresponded with their vernacular. In addition to the mandatory learning of two languages, annual nationwide campaigns are organised as part of the policy. study english in Singapore They serve to promote the learning and speaking of mother tongue languages as well as to encourage the use of grammatically correct English among Singaporeans. The Reading Remediation Programme aims to provide support for P3 and P4 students with reading difficulties.
Despite the government’s stand, supporters of Singlish have defended the place of Singlish in the local linguistic landscape. Their main argument is that Singlish cuts across racial differences and thus functions as a marker of a distinct, multiethnic Singaporean identity. For its proponents, Singlish is an essential part of local culture and heritage.
Adult literacy rates are at 97%, and youth literacy rates are at a whopping 99.7% - some of the best figures in the world. That’s despite a mere 2.8% of government spending going towards education. That means - you guessed it - plenty of gorgeous shorelines, as well as easy access to countries like Malaysia and Indonesia. While industrialisation wiped out a substantial amount of the local nature, there’s still plenty to see, including the staggering Singapore Botanic Gardens and Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.
This unique space is designed to cultivate imagination, and what better way to celebrate that than through storytelling! Our students can now gather in the Imaginarium during recess, where they have the freedom to share their tales, spin imaginative narratives, and transport both themselves and their peers to fantastical worlds. In collaboration with News in Brief, Our Stories is another segment which allows our students to deepen their historical knowledge of Singapore.
Thus, it is not uncommon to encounter service staff who are not fluent in English, especially those who do not use English regularly. In response to this situation, the Straits Times reported that from July 2010, foreigners working in service sectors would have to pass an English test before they can obtain their work permits. Other than Mandarin, the two most commonly spoken varieties of Chinese are Hokkien which is the dominant dialect and Cantonese, both of which are mainly spoken among the older generation. This has also resulted in some non-native speakers understanding or learning the language.
The school personnel conducting the programme also worked with the subject teachers and parents to closely monitor the students’ attendance and learning progress. Preparatory courses for IELTS not only enhance English ability but also prepare students for the challenges of living and studying in an English speaking country. These courses provide intensive English training, focusing on practical language skills and exams and answering questions to score extra points, which helps a student achieve the desired score. Helps students develop their proficiency of the English language from a basic level. Gives expert training to improve communication skills along with personal guidance to address learning needs. By matching learners with experienced tutors, they ensure personalised guidance that addresses individual learning needs, fostering improved language skills and academic performance.
Qualifications are highly emphasized in Singapore, so the more qualifications and credentials you have, the better. Most international schools and governments require you to sign a two-year contract. If you leave a government position for a private one, the government department responsible for issuing the visa for your next position may not be sympathetic.
With the introduction of EM3 stream, Mandarin Chinese and other Primary school subjects were taught at a lower than mainstream level to help academically less inclined students cope with a less demanding curriculum. The Singapore government attempts to shun away from linguistic assimilation, as it believes it must acknowledge the need to embrace the co-existence of the four official languages in the context of a multi-racial Singapore. Lorna Whiston School's English enrichment programmes focus on teaching students to become eloquent communicators in both the written and oral language.
When providing recommendations to you, we will inform you of the teaching experiences of MindFlex’s English Tutors so that you can check how familiar they are with the current syllabus. MindFlex’s English Tutors are experienced and skillful in their use of English. Not only will they be able to guide the students in their learning process for English, they will also be able to recommend useful materials for students to improve their English. Furthermore, our English Tutors can provide insightful advice for student’s Subject Combinations, University Course Selections, and Future Career Choices. At MindFlex, our GP Tutors are highly qualified and have a wealth of GP knowledge accumulated from either their years of teaching or experience from taking the subject.
Traditionally in Singapore English /r/ is pronounced only when it is followed by a vowel. In recent years, however, under the influence of American media, some younger Singaporeans have started to use an /r/ in words like HEART and PORT, when they are speaking very carefully. You can sometimes hear an /r/ in other places ('farther and mother', 'Veronicer')! In words like ACT, CAST, STOPPED etc which end with a consonant cluster, the cluster is often reduced (e.g. 'ac', 'cas', 'stop').
Due to problems in the research methodology and lack of governmental statutes that explain these variations, the study on the linguistics landscape in Singapore remain as a controversial field. While "Mother Tongue" generally refers to the first language elsewhere, it is used to denote the "ethnic language" or the second language in Singapore. Prior to 1 January 2011, the Ministry of Education in Singapore defined "Mother Tongue" not as the home language or the first language acquired by the student but by their father's ethnicity. For example, a child born to a Tamil-speaking Indian father and Hokkien-speaking Chinese mother would automatically be assigned to take Tamil as the Mother Tongue language.
In the past, this diversity encouraged the translation between varieties for scripts of popular stories. After the implementation of the bilingual policy and Speak Mandarin Campaign, Mandarin subtitles were introduced to help the audience understand the performances. Today, as usage of English rises, some opera troupes not only provide English subtitles but also English translations of their works. For these English-Chinese operas, subtitles may be provided in either Mandarin, other Chinese varieties, or both. In this way, Chinese opera will be able to reach out to a wider audience despite being variety-specific. Some notable exceptions include the brown directional road signs for the Merlion Park which are written not only in the four national languages, but also in Japanese.
Julia Gabriel Centre has a preschool programme and a primary-school programme so you can be sure that their materials will be age-appropriate for your children. The early care educators will model language skills and positive behaviour, allowing your children to absorb the language naturally through the playful sessions. The Write Connection has a range of short courses and regular programmes that your children can take.