1. How long are the TESOL/CELTA programmes?
2. Is there a TESOL governing body?
3. How long will it take to complete the programmes?
4. I have never taught English or any other subject before, Will I be able to complete this programme?
5. I am already a school teacher. Will I benefit from your programmes?
6. What is teaching practice (TP)?
7. There have been instances of schools closing down. How do you guarantee this will not happen to me?
8. Is your school registered with the Ministry of Education (MOE)?
9. How many Certification and Diploma programmes does Heartpower TESOL offer?
10. How can I study for your programmes and courses?
11. Which study options do you offer?
12. Are there any prerequisites for the courses?
13. Will I obtain a certificate upon successful completion of my course?
14. I have already taught English overseas for one year, but in order to get a job when I come back again I need a TESOL/CELTA. Which programme is the right one for me?
15. Do I need to purchase any extra resources?
16. Can I get academic credit for previous teaching experience or other courses?
17. What is the difference between TESL, TEFL, TESOL and CELTA?
18. Do I need to do a Certificate IV in TESOL or CELTA to teach overseas?
19. What's the benefit of doing a Certificate IV and/or CELTA in TESOL?
20. Are online/correspondence programmes equally valued by overseas schools in comparison to in-class courses?
21. Can I enrol in your TESOL courses if I am overseas?
22. How much are the courses?

1. What is teaching practice (TP)?
2. Who organises the teaching practice?
3. What do TESOL/ESL teachers do?
4. What do all these terms mean?
5. What is the Communicative Approach to teaching English?
6. Why is there such a need for English?
7. What are the time deadlines for completing the courses?
8. Can I fail the courses?

1. What do TESOL/ESL teachers do?
2. Why is there such a need for English in Singapore?
3. Where are the jobs?
4. How do I know which country is best for me?
5. Do I require a degree to teach English overseas?
6. Do all the programmes guarantee me a job teaching English overseas?
7. Do you guarantee I will find work?
8. How much can an ESL teacher earn in Singapore?
9. How do I know which schools are trustworthy to work in?
10. How can you find me work?
11. Where can I work?
12. When will I receive the certificate?
13. What are the number of hours that overseas schools look for in a TESOL certificate?
14. What do employers want?
15. Is it necessary to partake in teaching practice in order to secure a local or overseas teaching position?

1. How long are the TESOL/CELTA programmes?
Our programmes range between 50hrs to 180hrs. This does not include optional free Teaching Practice after the course. 

2. Is there a TESOL governing body?
Simply, no. There is no one governing body that certifies TESOL certificates and diplomas.

3. How long will it take to complete the programmes?
The number of weeks to complete these programmes range between 3 weeks and 12 months. Some programmes are fixed whilst others allow you to complete all the modules within 12 months.

4. I have never taught English or any other subject before, Will I be able to complete this programme?
All of our programmes do not assume you have taught English before, or that you have been a teacher or have teaching experience.

5. I am already a school teacher. Will I benefit from your programmes?
Yes. The methodology taught is specifically for teaching English as a Second Language. This is very different to how English is taught to Native Speakers. Many teachers do the CELTA and Certificate IV in TESOL for this reason.

6.What is teaching practice (TP)?
Teaching Practice can be peer teaching or with real ESL students. Both are an integral part of ANY teacher training programme. Heartpower TESOL has emphasised and expanded our TP programme with real students to give our trainees as much real life training opportunity as they wish or need. Prior to the TP with real students, our programmes also incorporate extensive peer teaching. It is through “doing” that you become a better teacher. Heartpower does not restrict the amount of TP a trainee wishes to do. Other schools charge or don’t provide this service.

7. There have been instances of schools closing down. How do you guarantee this will not happen to me?
Heartpower TESOL is a registered school with the Council for Private Education (CPE). We have undergone strict standards to adhere to the new Private Education Act. Heartpower TESOL also works closely with many reputable private schools who know us and trust us.

8. Is your school registered with the Ministry of Education (MOE)?
All private schools are now under the purview of the Council for Private Education (CPE). The Council is responsible for enforcing the Private Education Act. Heartpower TESOL is a registered school with the CPE. In fact we were in the very first batch who were awarded our Enhanced Registration Framework (ERF) certification in May 2010. All our courses and trainers are registered with the CPE. Please refer to www.cpe.gov.sg

9. How many Certification and Diploma programmes does Heartpower TESOL offer?
We offer five different Certification/Diploma programmes. We are currently negotiating to offer a Masters in TESOL or Applied Linguistics. Which course you do depends on many things and we will counsel you to help identify your needs.

10. How can I study for your programmes and courses?
These are practical courses so no prior studying or revision is necessary. Our experience tells us that most people are worried about grammar and if that’s the case you are free to come by Mondays (1pm-3pm) to browse through our library and seek help from our trainer/s.

11. Which study options do you offer?
These are teaching courses that are designed to be practical and not theoretical. Some of our courses are available online, but we recommend that you do the face to face mode if you can. If you are working, then online could be the best option. We can certainly help you with the Teaching Practice (TP) to apply what you have learnt.

12. Are there any prerequisites for the courses?
Different courses have different prerequisites but mostly regarding your proficiency in English. Please check our website course details for more information or consult us.

13. Will I obtain a certificate upon successful completion of my course?
Yes. You will receive your Certificate within 8 weeks from the successful completion of the course. The term “successful” means you have met the assessment criteria.

14. I have already taught English overseas for one year, but in order to get a job when I come back again I need a TESOL/CELTA. Which programme is the right one for me?
We will sit down with you and help identify your goals. We will look at your resume in conjunction with your goals and recommend a course OR perhaps you do not need to do a course.

15. Do I need to purchase any extra resources?
Whatever is mandatory for the course you are enrolled in, will be provided free of charge. There are textbooks we use during class and some of these can be bought at cost.

16. Can I get academic credit for previous teaching experience or other courses?
These are all entry-level courses. No academic credit is given.

17. What is the difference between TESL, TEFL, TESOL and CELTA?
TESL-Teaching English as a Second Language.
TEFL – Teaching English as a Foreign Language.
TESOL – Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.
CELTA – Certificate in English Language  To Adults.

TESL, TEFL and TESOL are almost synonymous and CELTA is a TESOL course but this is what Cambridge calls their Certificate level TESOL programme.

18. Do I need to do a Certificate IV in TESOL or CELTA to teach overseas?
Generally, the international industry benchmark is you need to have a 120hr programme. BOTH Certificate IV in TESOL and CELTA meet that requirement.

19. What's the benefit of doing a Certificate IV and/or CELTA in TESOL?
Heartpower’s unique dual certification programme allows you to do the CELTA and get the Certificate IV in TESOL (a top up fee applies). This double certification is recommended especially if you intend to teach ESL in Australia.

20. Are online/correspondence programmes equally valued by overseas schools in comparison to in-class courses?
Heartpower advises that if you have the time, then do an in-class face-to-face course. Classroom dynamics are not accurately reflected and a trainee may not be exposed to adequate classroom preparation.

21. Can I enrol in your TESOL courses if I am overseas?
Yes. You can enrol online. Please note we are subject to the laws of the Republic of Singapore and in particular The Private Education Act. Please check Singapore’s Immigration and Checkpoint Authority’s (ICA’s) website at www.ica.gov.sg about student visa requirements.

22. How much are the courses?
They range from $2750SGD to $5500SGD. Please check the course details to confirm the prices.

You can also pay online (Paypal) or by cheque. You can also come by and pay in person with credit card, cheque and cash.

23You can register online. You can also pay online (Paypal) or by cheque. You can also come by and pay in person with credit card, cheque and cash.

24Our Academic Board examined the programme in detail, looking at the following criteria: industry needs, teaching practice requirements, assessment modes, standardisation between providers and academic rigour, minimum qualification for trainers and training paths, recommended trainee:trainer ratio, international recognition of the qualification and we even interviewed over a dozen graduates of the LTTC TESOL programme and previous trainers. It was then determined that the LTTC TESOL programme does not fit into Heartpower TESOL's academic model.

1. What is teaching practice (TP)?
Teaching Practice can be peer teaching or with real ESL students. Both are an integral part of ANY teacher training programme. Heartpower TESOL has emphasised and expanded our TP programme with real students to give our trainees as much real life training opportunity as they wish or need. Prior to the TP with real students, our programmes also incorporate extensive peer teaching. It is through “doing” that you become a better teacher. Heartpower does not restrict the amount of TP a trainee wishes to do. Other schools charge or don’t provide this service.

2. Who organises the teaching practice?
Heartpower organises Teaching Practice (TP). It is best you do your TP through us and not organised by yourself at a school. You may not be supervised adequately and our trainers and mentors are trained to observe objectively and to give feedback in the most constructive way.

3. What do TESOL/ESL teachers do?
TESOL/ESL teachers teach English to speakers of other languages in almost all countries where English is not the first language. Teaching opportunities include:

1. private language schools
2. private or public primary schools, high schools, colleges & universities
3. in-company or “business” classes
4. private tutoring from home or though agencies

Our courses go into detail about the different opportunities, the advantages and disadvantages of working in different types of work settings, and how to find the right type of position for you.

4. What do all these terms mean?
ESL - English as a Second Language
ESOL - English for Speakers of Other Languages
(these days English is not a second language for many people – it’s a third or fourth!)
TESL - Teaching English as a Second Language
TEFL - Teaching English as a Foreign Language
TESOL - Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages

TESOL, TESL and TEFL are often used interchangeably, depending

5. What is the Communicative Approach to teaching English?
Communicative language teaching (CLT) is an approach to the teaching of second and foreign languages that emphasizes interaction as both the means and the ultimate goal of learning a language. It is also referred to as “communicative approach to the teaching of foreign languages” or simply the “communicative approach”. This methodology is widely recognised in private schools to be the most engaging. All our courses adopt CLT methodology.

You can and SHOULD use this methodology when teaching local Singaporean students. It is the most engaging and fun way of learning (and teaching too!).

6.Why is there such a need for English?
English has achieved a unique status that no other language has achieved. It is no longer associated solely with a particular country, in this case England. In any corner of the world, they will always be looking for an English teacher.

Business - English is the leading language of commerce, politics and technology in the new millennium. Business people all over the world are under pressure to learn to communicate in English.
Internet – Both casual and professional pursuits through the Internet are strengthening desires to learn English.
Travel – Global Travel no longer needs to be accompanied by so many communication barriers.
Media – English clearly dominates global film, television and radio. Native speakers of English are best prepared to teach ESL students the humour, slang, colloquialisms, and all the other connections between language and culture.
Academics – Many ESL students are motivated by a desire to exceed academically either at home or in English-speaking countries.

Fluency in English opens doors professionally and personally!

7. What are the time deadlines for completing the courses?
It depends on the course. For the Global TESOL programmes, they are modular and you can and must complete the course within 12 months. The Certificate IV in TESOL (both modes) and CELTA require you to complete the course within the specified duration.

8. Can I fail the courses?
All our courses require high academic standards. Assessment criteria vary between courses and must be met. In some cases, resubmission of assignments is permissible on a case-by-case basis to be determined by the provider and not Heartpower.

1. What do TESOL/ESL teachers do?
There is no such thing as a TESOL teacher. We call them Trainers. TESOL trainers train you how to teach English as a second language. So you train to be an ESL teacher.

2. Why is there such a need for English in Singapore?
Singapore has successfully positioned itself to be an education hub. There are up to 150,000 foreign students in Singapore. This does not include children of expatriates.

Furthermore, a 2006 MOE review showed that English may not be the language of choice for many Singaporeans at home. As a result of this, MOE revised their pedagogy and incorporated TESOL techniques and principles within the training of new teachers. Many MOE teachers are also doing their CELTA.

Increasingly, more private tutors tutoring local students are doing our courses as well.

In addition, there are many foreign workers in Singapore, whose employers recognise these workers need ESL lessons.

3. Where are the jobs?
The ESL industry is strong and the last decade has seen phenomenal growth in the market worldwide. In areas like Western Europe, Hong Kong and the Middle East, English is widely spoken, and yet the ESL market continues to grow. Places like Japan, Korea and Taiwan boast a stable infrastructure in the ESL market, and no sign of slowing down. The most exciting areas of the industry, however, lie in locations such as China, South-East Asia, Latin America and Central/Eastern Europe. It is here that the need is the greatest and the market is the most vibrant.

4. How do I know which country is best for me?
Let us help you! We have extensive experience in travel and teaching, and can help you make a good choice based on your background, your interests and your skills.

5. Do I require a degree to teach English overseas?
No, many positions do not require a University degree but do require a TESOL certificate of 120hrs training time. The only countries where you cannot legally teach without a University degree (any Bachelor's degree) are South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan if you are over 30. In other countries, employers may or may not ask for a degree, but this is the employer's choice; it does not mean you MUST have one to work in that country. In fact, many employers will advertise what is called a 'wish list' asking for lots of qualifications, but usually settling for less.

Our trainers are very interested in making you aware of all the opportunities, and would like to open your eyes and mind to places you may never have thought of living or working!

6.Do all the programmes guarantee me a job teaching English overseas?
Both our Global TESOL College programmes  (Advanced TESOL Certificate and Advanced TESOL Diploma) extend a money back job guarantee to their worldwide students. Conditions apply.

7. Do you guarantee I will find work?
We can never make such a guarantee. Our Graduate Services are second to none. We have the most extensive network of private schools who come to us looking for ESL teachers. Our Graduate Services also include the Job Portal.

8. How much can an ESL teacher earn in Singapore?
Between $25/hr to $55/hr for contract work at private language and business schools. If you do tutoring, it will be around $40-$75/hr. For permanent work at private and language schools, the range is $2500/month to $3800/month. These rates are entry level rates, assuming you have little or no ESL teaching experience.

9. How do I know which schools are trustworthy to work in?
Heartpower will help you. We have been in the business and know who is who in Singapore. And if we dont we will find out and advise you. We will never tell you DON'T work at a particular school. We can only tell you what we heard and what we know and you need to be extra careful when signing the contract.

10. How can you find me work?
We do so in many ways. Schools come to us for graduate trainees. We have worked with many schools and have built a reputation of trust. Some schools employ based solely on our recommendation, even without interviews.

11. Where can I work?
ANYWHERE! English has attained a unique position that no other language has done to date. As long as you can prove that you are a capable, engaging and passionate teacher, the world is your oyster.

12. When will I receive the certificate?
Within 2 months of successful completion of your course.

13. What are the number of hours that overseas schools look for in a TESOL certificate?
120hrs. That is in-class training hrs. Should not include self study time etc.

14. What do employers want?
Heartpower TESOL has built relationships with schools and we continually invite schools to advise us what they are looking for in ESL teachers. On an average an ESL Head of Department gets about 5 resumes via email per week.

Are you an engaging student-centred teacher? Can you acheive the 80:20 rule? Can you adapt textbooks to make each lesson come alive? Can you elicit rather than explain? Can you motivate your students? All our courses have incorporated specific training sections that produce skills the schools want. With Heartpower TESOL, you stand the best chance in getting noticed. 

15. Is it necessary to partake in teaching practice in order to secure a local or overseas teaching position?
Teaching Practice is always recommended. Some people require more TP than others. It is for you to gain confidence teaching and to apply what you learnt in a real environment. With Heartpower, we do not restrict the amount of TP sessions you can do. You stop when we both think you are ready to apply for ESL teaching jobs.