EL Syllabus Consultant: Ministry of Education, Singapore

About the project

The Ministry of Education (MoE), Singapore, is developing a revised English Language (EL) Syllabus to build a strong foundation in spoken and written English and to progressively reinforce this foundation through systematic skills instruction.

This project will build on EL Syllabus 2010, which has been implemented from Primary 1 to Secondary 5 since 2010. Going forward in the development of a revised EL Syllabus, the MoE’s objective is to ensure that the new syllabus is forward-looking, easy to use and meets international standards.

To deliver this project, British Council is seeking a highly experienced consultant who has access to the latest research and development work in the field of EL teaching and learning appropriate to school contexts, or who has shaped the latest discourse in this field. Applications from consultants who are familiar with the needs of Singapore language teachers and the educational context of Singapore would be welcome.

About the role

The successful applicant’s main responsibilities will be:

• to review the EL syllabus documents for Primary and Secondary, provide recommendations and advise on language content based on the latest research in the field of EL teaching and learning.
• to ensure the syllabus documents remain credible, accurate, coherent, and user-friendly in meeting the needs of Singapore language teachers as well as how language is learned among bilingual and diverse learners in the classroom.
• to advise Syllabus Writers and contribute language content towards the development of the revised EL syllabus items on an Area of Language Learning, based on the latest research in the field of English language teaching and learning, learner behaviour and theory, and developments in new and critical literacies. There are 8 Areas of Language Learning in total: listening, reading, speaking, writing, grammar, vocabulary, viewing and representing.
• to advise on the accuracy and appropriateness of the skills for an Area of Language Learning for Primary (Primary 1 – 6) and/or Secondary (Secondary 1 – 5) levels. In particular, consultant should consider correctness and consistency in the use of terminology, precision in the description of the syllabus items, correctness and explicitness in the progression of language knowledge and skills according to learning outcomes at key levels and alignment across all areas of language learning and year levels. 

Qualifications and experience required

Essential

• PhD from a university recognised by the Singapore MOE that is relevant to Linguistics and English Language/English Studies (including English Literature)/English Education
• at least 5 years of experience in the field of specialisation in teaching, teacher training and research
• published research (ideally) over several years in the relevant field
• able to offer recommendations for the revised EL syllabus, including overall design and presentation of language skills
• able to direct attention to the latest research and development work in the field of EL teaching and learning appropriate to local school contexts and the needs of Singapore language teachers to support the recommendations made.

Desirable

• contextual knowledge of Singapore’s language education as well as teacher education
• contextual knowledge of the profile and needs of Singapore language learners
• knowledge of Primary (Standard and Foundation EL) and Secondary (Express, Normal Academic and Normal Technical) courses of study as implemented in Singapore schools.

Remuneration and Contracted Days 

• expected remuneration: to be quoted by the applicant, in either daily rate or fee for total services

• contracted days: up to 60 days, exact duration to be reviewed in line with the terms of reference with the successful candidate. 

If you are interested, please send your CV tailored to the above requirements and a covering letter to Thomas.lloyd@britishcouncil.or.th with the title ‘EL Syllabus Consultant for MOE, Singapore’.

Please ensure the following details are included in your CV:

• on-going and previous research covering at least a three year period
• information on any pertinent training modules, courses or consultancies conducted over the last three years
• optional – copies of any seminal or widely cited research (front page/partial copy only).

Please note, we can only respond to successful applicants and only within five working days of the application deadline.