Helping your child build a strong foundation in English starts with finding the right tuition or enrichment centre — and we’ve gathered some of the most popular options across Singapore to get you started
In Singapore, schools adopt an English-based bilingual education system, with curriculum delivered primarily in English. With English being one of the most spoken languages in the world, there is no wonder why it is important to grasp the language as early as possible. If your child looks like he or she can do with some help, here are the English tuition and enrichment centres we checked out!
A Class Act
Location: 87 Killiney Road #02-01
Classes Available: Primary school
An English language centre located in Somerset, the founders are former educators with almost two decades of teaching experience, believing that anyone can become confident and proficient in speaking and writing with proper guidance.
Their strong team of highly experienced and passionate former MOE teachers and Heads of English Department aims to be nurturing and student-centred. Classes are structured and engaging, and deliberately kept small with a 1:10 tutor-student ratio, for optimal learning. Lessons are designed with four blocks in mind - Engagement, Practice, Guidance and Feedback, with equal emphasis on content creation and developing language flair.
Find out more here.
Academia
Location: 6 Sin Ming Road #01-15
Classes Available: Primary, secondary & JC
Founded in 2013, Academia blends elements from the local education system with re-engineered strategies from top higher educational institutions and liberal arts colleges. Weekly structured classes in small groups deliver consistent, focused learning, guiding students through different components, offering in-depth exploration of key topics, building a solid foundation while reinforcing critical skills.
Their school holidays are not idle as fun holiday modules are designed to tangibly contribute to students’ academic portfolios in a shorter time span, ranging from 2-day workshops to 3-day symposiums.
Find out more here.
Ace English Academy
Location: 118 Bukit Batok Central
Classes Available: Primary & secondary school
This is one centre who is confident enough to indicate that their students have been able to make at least a 1 grade improvement within a year. Their tutors are ex-MOE school teachers with at least 15 years of teaching and tutoring experience each.
Group size is very small at less than 6 students. The tutors dedicate extra time to prepare targeted exercises and lesson notes, varying teaching activities and assignments to suit individual needs. Student progress is monitored closely, with timely and constructive feedback. For parents who prefer their children to have writing assignments, these are given every week, marked and returned weekly.
Find out more here.
Artistic Strategies Academy
Location: 21 Bedok North Street 1
Classes Available: Primary & secondary school
Instructors at ASA use various art forms such as visual arts, clay, movement, and drama to engage and enthuse students in interactive and hands-on learning. Steering away from rote-learning and memorisation techniques, their signature Artistic Writing Programme cultivates young writers to draw inspiration from their own artistic creations and produce original written pieces.
Find out more here.
Augustine’s English Classes
Location: 86 Marine Parade Central, #04-302
Classes Available: Primary, secondary school & JC
Here is one centre which believes learning should be fun, and their interactive approach incorporates the element of play into the learning process through time and speed challenges.
With tailored programmes, a strong emphasis on collaboration, and partnership with parents, their team consists of committed, MOE-qualified tutors who maintain an active learning environment. Classes are kept to not more than 10 students on average.
Find out more here.
British Council
Location: 30 Napier Road and 480 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh, #09-01 HDB Hub, East Wing (Also available online!)
Classes Available: Preschool through secondary school
Singapore’s British Council provides English enrichment courses for nursery 1 through secondary level, aligned with syllabus set by MOE. Their team of over 55 highly qualified teachers provide a safe and nurturing environment for children, enabling them to build confidence and enjoy learning new ideas. Students are encouraged to express themselves by asking questions, use their creativity to solve problems, and be ready to face challenges in class and outside.
Find out more here.
British Tutors
Location: 196 Pandan Loop, #07-17 Pantech Business Hub (Also available online or at client’s home!
Classes Available: Primary, secondary school & beyond
Founded in 2008, British Tutors is an award-winning private tuition and education consultancy company with operations in Singapore and Hong Kong. Their flexible modes of tuition include one-on-one or group sessions delivered at home, at their office and online.
We are impressed with their personalised consultation with each potential client to better understand needs and requirements, before a match with the most suitable tutor, allowing lessons to be meticulously customised to each student. Parents will appreciate that these client managers maintain close communication and furnish detailed monthly reports on topics covered in lessons, student achievements and areas for growth, upcoming session plans and even recommended additional resources.
Find out more here.
Byron Tutorial Centre
Location: 190 Clemenceau Avenue, #03-30 Singapore Shopping Centre
Classes Available: Secondary school & JC
Registered with MOE (Ministry of Education) and specialising in GP since 1994, founder Ms Ho was a former General Paper teacher from St Andrew’s Junior College, counting thousands of secondary school and JC students who have benefitted from her unique, fun and engaging tutoring style since then.
Find out more here.
Chers English Tuition
Location: Online
Classes Available: Secondary school
Creative Campus
Location: 545 Orchard Rd, #14-07/08 Far East Shopping Centre and 80 Marine Parade Rd, #14-06 Parkway Parade
Classes Available: K1 through JC
How does an English tuition centre founded by former lawyers sound? Also former English curriculum leads and head trainers at The Learning Lab, Ms Geraldine Chew and Mrs Elizabeth Ann-Yeo have trained over hundreds of Gifted Education Programme (GEP) students, over 200 English teachers, each counting over 25 years of experience educating students.
Their unique approach integrates current affairs and critical thinking, empowering students from kindergarten to junior college to excel in their studies and beyond. Also check out their holiday workshops offering a variety of topics.
Find out more here.
EduEdge English & GP Specialists
Location: 301 Serangoon Ave 2, #01-330; 53 Chun Tin Road; 1 Marine Parade Central, #13-08 Parkway Centre
Classes Available: Primary school through JC
Find out more here.
EduFirst Learning Centre
Location: 24 outlets at Aljunied, Ang Mo Kio, Bedok, Bukit Panjang, Bukit Timah, Hougang, Jurong, Keat Hong, Pasir Ris, Punggol, Sembawang, Sengkang, Tampines, Toa Payoh, Woodlands, Yew Tee & Yishun
Classes Available: Primary & secondary school
English Ninjas
Location: 1 Fifth Avenue, #03-08 Guthrie House
Classes Available: Primary, secondary school & JC
Golden Compass School
Location: 190 Middle Road Fortune Centre; 1 Liang Seah Street; 20A Temple Street
Classes Available: Primary, secondary school & JC
I Can Read
Location: 20 outlets at Alexandra, Ang Mo Kio, Bedok, City Square Mall, Clementi, Harbourfront, Hillion Mall, Jurong, Kovan, Marine Parade, Novena, Punggol Waterway, Sembawang, Sengkang, Tampines, Tiong Bahru, West Coast Plaza, Woodlands and Yishun
Classes Available: Preschool & primary school
The I Can Read brand was founded in 2000 in Australia following 15 years of research and fieldwork by educational psychologists. The creators of I Can Read are also the authors of “Dealing with Dyslexia and Reading Difficulties” published by Pearson Education. In Singapore, their proven programme has been trialled in over 30 schools and backed by statistical data. In addition to onsite learning, they run an e-learning centre.
Find out more here.
illum.e
Location: 5 outlets at Bukit Timah, Hougang, Jurong, Novena and Parkway,
Classes Available: Primary, secondary school & JC
The centre’s team of driven teachers deliver a consistent and unique pedagogy fusing teaching expertise and skills with their strong subject content knowledge. Students also enjoy free consultations on multiple platforms or face-to-face. Understanding that time may be of essence particularly for older students, their lessons are conducted in a hybrid mode of both face-to-face and live Zoom lessons, with multiple timeslots availed for replacement classes. We like it that they even have their own inhouse student and lesson portal.
Find out more here.
Jan & Elly Academy
Location: Bukit Timah Plaza; Greenwich V; The Woodleigh Mall
Classes Available: Preschool & primary school
Jan & Elly aims to make learning English great fun, believing that confidence in the language breeds confidence in kids. Their comfortable, cosy learning environment and expert teachers nurture children’s intellect and stimulate their imagination through an all-sensory engagement. Specialising in phonics classes for preschool students from 4 to 6 years old, and writing classes for primary school students from 6 to 12 years old, their class size is maintained at 9 students.
Find out more here.
Joyous Learning
Location: Blk 177 Toa Payoh Central, #01-138
Classes Available: Primary & secondary school
We like it that this centre aims to train their young learners lose their fear of making mistakes and learn to appreciate learning, making the process a joy. Through crafting interactive and innovative lessons, their teachers in the primary English programme builds a strong foundation in and prepare students for success in PSLE. In the secondary school programme, foundational skills are not neglected in their preparation for O’ Level. Also check out their school holiday programmes!
Find out more here.
Julia Gabriel Centre
Location: 6 outlets at Forum, Greenwich V, Keppel Bay, New Bahru, Tampines Mall and The Woodleigh Mall
Classes Available: Preschool & primary school
This learning centre needs no introduction. Among their many programmes, the Readers & Writers aim to motivate children from 3 to 12 years old towards successful reading and writing, and becoming confident readers and conscious writers. Their preschool programme builds strong foundational writing and reading skills through age-appropriate experiential learning and structured development of literacy skills, guiding preschoolers towards primary school readiness.
(The “I Love Reading” for 3 to 4 years uses ‘The Alphabet Zoo’ book created by Julia Gabriel.) Primary-years programme inculcates a love of writing and reading by building skills to enable and appreciate critical reading and competent, purposeful writing.
Find out more here.
Kumon
Location: More than 70 outlets island-wide
Classes Available: Preschool, primary & secondary school
Kumon is another renowned global academic enrichment specialist that needs no introduction. With over 25 years in Singapore, the essence of Kumon Method is self-learning, which encourages students to master content independently and feel a sense of achievement.
Kumon students also learn by ability instead of age, so it is common for their students to learn syllabi that are higher than what they currently learn in school. Their new KUMON CONNECT digital learning platform enhances accessibility and convenience for students, instructors and parents, bringing individualised study plan and small-steps worksheets onto devices to learn at home or on the go.
Find out more here.
LCentral
Location: 16 outlets at Ang Mo Kio, Bedok, Bukit Timah, Buona Vista, Harbourfront, Hougang, Jurong, Marine Parade, Novena, Punggol, Serangoon, Tampines, Tiong Bahru, Toa Payoh, Woodlands and Yishun
Classes Available: Preschool & primary school
Since its inception in 2008, they have impacted at least 30,000 students. LCentral’s focus is on delivering top-tier English education. Their pioneering 360 Teaching Method centres on the learner, going above and beyond traditional lessons, sparking a love for language, sharpening critical thinking and cultivating adept communicators. LCentral 360 also features a smart digital classroom that blends innovative classroom practices with technology for an all-round sensational experience.
Find out more here.
Learning Journey Education Centre
Location: 4 outlets at Bukit Timah, Marine Parade, Punggol and Serangoon North
Classes Available: Preschool, primary, secondary school & JC
Founder-Principal Grace holds a Master in Education from NIE-NTU and is the author of six Comprehension Cloze Techniques assessment books (used by numerous MOE primary schools) and two model essays books for secondary and Integrated Programme (IP) students. Even from Preschool, their approach includes reading, writing and speaking to prepare young learners. The centre’s school holiday workshops cater to preschoolers through primary six.
Find out more here.
Learning Point
Location: 6 outlets at Bukit Timah Plaza, Century Square, MacPherson Mall, Oasis Terraces, Thomson Plaza and Parkway Centre
Classes Available: Preschool, primary, secondary school & JC
Started in 1995 with a commitment to teaching young children to read and appreciate English, they have since expanded to multiple locations in Singapore, and helped thousands of students. Their preschool programmes focus on laying a strong foundation in phonics, grammar and vocabulary, preparing for primary education. Designed in line with MOE's syllabus, the primary school programmes work towards equipping students with both reading and writing skills to excel at PSLE.
Secondary programmes build upon skills acquired in primary school, enhanced with honing critical thinking and analysis skills. Finally, their JC General Paper programme exposes students to diverse materials and equip them with relevant and essential skills to excel at A’ Level.
Find out more here.
Lil' But Mighty English
Location: 6 outlets at Bukit Timah, Clementi, Hougang, Novena, Marine Parade and Tampines
Classes Available: Primary & secondary school
While this centre provides a curriculum that ensures students are clear about what’s required for PSLE and O’ Levels, their approach is to empower learners with the strategies and techniques on tackling every paper in a structured manner. Classes are planned with clear learning objectives and attention is spent on engaging the children.
Students will also be given access to self-paced e-learning with their live online tuition. Families looking to engage kids a little more can check out their supplementary workshops which cover an extensive variety of topics like oral, creative writing, comprehensive and even presentation.
Find out more here.
Lorna Whiston
Location: (Enrichment) 101 Thomson Rd, #03-18 United Square
Classes Available: Preschool & primary school
The enrichment programmes here adhere to MOE’s English Language learning outcomes and deliver themed and engaging lessons. Their teachers stay updated on local syllabus by undergoing regular training and are exposed to new pedagogical approaches. Student assessments are conducted once a term for primary one to six to gauge learning progress.
Students can expect to build a strong academic foundation, with strategies for better learning and soft skills and values crucial for success. There will be collaborative, inquiry-based tasks that promote real understanding and foster a natural curiosity for knowledge. Language skills are progressively absorbed in a multisensory environment.
Find out more here.
Master Class Learning Centre
Location: 79 East Coast Road, #02-01 (In a Peranakan shophouse opposite I12 Katong, Katong Village and Roxy Square)
Classes Available: Upper primary & secondary school
Specialising in upper Primary English and GP, they were started in 2011 by teachers with an accumulated experience of more than 50 years working in Singapore schools. They deliberately keep their annual number of students small, to maximise their effectiveness through individualised attention and thorough marking, so here’s a centre not competing on volume of students taught. From comprehension, oral communication to writing, this one-outlet operation has made quite a name for themselves in the east.
Find out more here.
MindChamps
Location: Find almost 30 island-wide outlets catering to different types of English learners here
Classes Available: Toddler, preschool & primary school
One of the leading enrichment providers in Singapore that aims to empower children and realise their full potential, their MOE-aligned and comprehensive enrichment curriculum covers all areas, including junior vocabulary, grammar, comprehension tactics and more. For relevant levels, exam-oriented strategies, simulations and analyses will help students better understand and navigate their weakest English language component.
Find out more here.
Morris Allen
Location: Jurong Point Shopping Centre, Heartland Mall and West Mall
Classes Available: Kindergarten & primary school
Conducted in small classes for learners as young as kindergarteners to start grasping the language, this centre engages children by delighting their senses and stimulating their thinking, helping them participate actively in their own learning. Lessons are rigorous and aligned with the MOE curriculum, integrating listening, speaking, reading and writing to help students develop links between various language skills.
Find out more here.
The Alternative Story
Location: Bukit Timah Shopping Centre, Djitsun Mall, NTUC Income @ Tampines Junction, Parkway Centre and Tampines Junction
Classes Available: Primary & secondary school
What started in 2008 in a shophouse and small team has grown to 5 outlets, over 30 teachers and more than 15,000 students been taught. T.A.S promises to enable children to have the best of both worlds - excelling academically and developing a genuine love for learning - through engaging methods and a lively classroom atmosphere. Check out their regular classes, creative writing classes and holiday programmes.
Find out more here.
The Eton Academy by EtonHouse
Location: Canberra Plaza, Great World, Sengkang Grand Mall, Woodleigh Mall, Mountbatten Road
Classes Available: Preschool & primary school
Their nursery programme nurtures children’s curiosity and builds confidence in asking questions and expressing their own thoughts and feelings, before preparing them in kindergarten for primary education. In the primary school programme, students not only master content and skills included in the MOE syllabus, but also encouraged to speak up, ask questions, and further explore themes and concepts he or she is interested in – these gearing towards PSLE excellence and mastery.
Find out more here.
The Learning Lab
Location: Century Square, Choa Chu Kang Centre, JEM, Marine Parade Central, Rochester Mall, United Square, Seletar Mall, Tampines Mall and Woodleigh Mall
Classes Available: Preschool, primary, secondary school & JC
The TLL Method is said to help every child reach their fullest potential in academic success by removing the barriers to learning, namely misconceptions, forgetfulness and lack of transfer. Their track records for helping students with PSLE look sturdy, delivering guidance to become an excellent writer and learn how to avoid common mistakes and pitfalls in composition, comprehension and cloze passages through current content that encourages critical thinking and addresses changing exam formats. Their primary six students have consistently moved on to desired placements in the schools and programmes of their choice.
Find out more here.
The Write Connection
Location: 12 outlets at Ang Mo Kio, Bishan, Bukit Timah, Choa Chu Kang, City Square Mall, Jurong Gateway, Parkway Parade, Punggol Plaza, Tampines, Toa Payoh, Woodlands, Woodleigh + Online TWC@Home
Classes Available: Kindergarten, primary & secondary school
TWC’s curriculum aims to empower their learners to master thinking, writing and communication skills. The curriculum team is led by an Oxford-graduated editor who has a wealth of experience working with major publishing houses on MOE textbooks. Over the years, they have helped more than 25,000 students achieve their dream grades in English and writing, equipping them with the skills and confidence to excel in school and beyond.
Find out more here.
United Language Centre (ULC)
Location: 1 Coleman Street, #10-11 The Adelphi
Classes Available: Preschool, primary, secondary school & JC
Their programmes are grouped by age, with interesting names such as Little Huskies (age 4–6), Soaring Puffins (7–10) and Trailblazers (11-18), with lessons designed to be age-appropriate and meeting the challenges and requirements of each age group. Class sizes are limited to four students for 4-6 year olds and six students for 7-18 year olds, ensuring each student receives individualised attention and ample opportunity to speak.
Find out more here.
Writers At Work
Location: 9 outlets at Ang Mo Kio, Bishan, Bukit Timah, Clementi, Hougang, Kallang, Marine Parade, Tampines and Tiong Bahru
Classes Available: Preschool, primary & secondary school
More than 9,850 students have received tuition here to date. The W@W curriculum introduces key skills progressively, making sure concepts are revisited and reinforced at every level. This approach deepens learners’ knowledge, builds confidence and prepares them for complex assignments expected in PSLE and beyond. Their holiday programmes are also structured to give a boost to regular classes.
Find out more here.
Writing Samurai
Location: Online
Classes Available: Primary & secondary school
We wrap up our selection with another interestingly-named centre, and the only one which has since closed all their physical outlets to offer lessons online. No less effective, their fun, online creative writing courses and rich resources are created by expert English teachers with over 12 years of experience and based on the latest curriculum. Check out their free 30-day trial.
Find out more here.
*Images are from the centres' official sites
