In our interconnected world, mastery of English is increasingly important. For Singaporeans, it serves as the main language of business and government, helping to create strong unity between people of different backgrounds and cultures.
Speaking good English in Singapore not only gives you a competitive advantage in your career – whether you want to work in tourism, or for a multinational company – but allows you to understand others and be understood as you build a life in this incredible city.
Of course, English fluency can have significant advantages for children and teens, as well as adults. If your child is being educated in Singapore, speaking and writing English to a high standard will help them to engage fully in class and build new friendships. So what is the best way to improve your spoken and written English?
There are many routes to learning English, but if you are looking for tailored support, private or small-group tuition could be ideal for you. Let’s take a look at who could benefit.
Who can benefit from private English tuition?
Those seeking personalised support
Group learning can be a fantastic way to build your confidence, practise your English and meet others, but perhaps you feel more comfortable with the idea of one-on-one tuition. If you haven’t been in a classroom environment for a while and feel that you would be more likely to ask questions in a less lively setting, private lessons could be extremely effective.
With the full attention of your tutor, you’ll receive more individualised and regular feedback, alongside the reassurance you may need to start feeling confident in your abilities. You’ll also be able to progress at your own pace, without the pressure of keeping up with other students. This can be particularly important for kids who are inhibited in the classroom, helping them to grow their self-esteem and find their voice in their own time.
Those with a specific learning goal
Private tuition allows you to focus solely on the topics and skills that matter to you. They can be personal or professional, ranging from improving your small talk in everyday situations, to refining your presentation and interview techniques, and mastering industry-specific language.
You might have an important assessment coming up, or you may want to better your chances of being considered for a promotion. You might simply want to work on your pronunciation to sound more like a native English speaker. If your child is suffering from exam nerves or falling behind in a particular subject (any subject taught in English), a private tutor can give them the extra support that could make all the difference.
Those looking for flexibility
The decision to learn English can open doors in so many ways, but it takes commitment: in terms of both your time and focus. Give yourself the best chance of achieving your language goals by choosing lesson times that work with your life, and your learning style. If you know you will be tired after a busy day at work, or demotivated by having to travel across the island to get to a language school, enrolling in a course that removes these obstacles is a great idea.
Private tuition will allow you to select times, dates and locations when you know you’ll be most alert and able to concentrate without distraction. A tutor can come to your home, place of work, or hold lessons online if that is more convenient for you. The more seamlessly you can fit your course into your weekly routine, or your child’s, the more you’ll get out of every session.
About the British Council’s One-to-one and Small group private lessons
The British Council offers One-to-one and Small group private lessons led by specialised tutors with local, international, industry and skills-specific experience. Available for learners of all ages, these premium lessons are tailor-made, with custom course content and the highest level of flexibility.
The team will work with you from the start to understand your learning needs and assign the best-possible teacher, before developing a schedule that puts you in control of your bespoke learning journey.
As global leaders in English language learning, the British Council has an established track-record of delivering blended, face-to-face and virtual content in the digital age.
The team are experts in Business English, IELTS and other exam preparation, General English and industry-relevant courses, supporting adults to achieve their professional, academic and personal goals.
Their dedicated tutors can also help young learners succeed at school and in their exams with confidence, providing tuition from phonics and early literacy to A-Level strategy.
Find out more about private English tuition for adults at the British Council, as well as private English tuition for kids and teens. Want to try it out before you sign up? You can also book a free trial class. You might also be interested in our recent blog post, Three benefits of English language tuition for adults, kids and teens.
