IGCSE Tuition in Singapore

What is IGCSE?

Unless you are an international student, you most probably would not know what IGCSE is. An abbreviation of International General Certificate of Secondary Education, this international programme was developed by Cambridge Assessment International Examinations (CAIE), 1988. This comprehensive two-year programme that is accompanied by a final examination, follows an international examination curriculum commonly adopted by most international schools in globally. Equivalent in standard to the GCE ‘O’ levels taken by most secondary school students in Singapore, the International GCSE is taken at Year 4 (Grade 10), which is equivalent to Secondary 4 in Singapore’s national school system. Upon getting an IGCSE qualification, students may proceed with the GCE ‘A’ levels, SAT, International Baccalaureate (IB) programme, and various other certifications.

What does the IGCSE curriculum cover?

The IGCSE curriculum is extensive, offering a variety of academic routes to explore. This is especially beneficial for learners with a wide range of abilities, including those whose first language is not English. There are over 70 subjects, which include 30 languages, and schools can offer them in any combination. This content-rich programme develops knowledge, understanding, and skills in the following areas:

• Subject content
• Application of knowledge and understanding to new and unfamiliar situations
• Intellectual enquiry
• Flexibility and responsiveness to change
• Working and communicating in English
• Influencing outcomes
• Cultural awareness

While the syllabuses are international in outlook, they retain a local relevance. They are created specifically for an international student body and avoids cultural bias. Assessment includes written, oral, coursework, and practical assessments.While the syllabuses are international in outlook, they retain a local relevance since the specific schools are involved in the development of the IGCSE curriculum. They are created specifically for an international student body and avoids cultural bias. Assessment includes written, oral, coursework, and practical assessments.

Differences between IGCSE and GCE ‘O’ levels

GCE ‘O’ levels offer less coursework compared to the International GCSEs, which uses a variety of assessment techniques to test oral and practical skills, problem-solving, and application of skills, knowledge, and understanding. In addition, the latter rewards students for positive achievements e.g. what they know, understand and can do. The IGCSE also prepares students for progression to employment or further study.

On the other hand, some ‘O’ level syllabus was developed to meet specific local needs – this includes the mandatory mother tongue languages such as Chinese, Malay, and Tamil. The focus of ‘O’ level languages is on writing and reading skills. Also, thorough School-Based Science Practical Assessment (SPA) exams are limited to students doing pure ‘O’ level sciences.

Which school in Singapore offers IGCSE?

The following table lists the schools or institutions that offer the IGCSE programme in Singapore.

Source: http://www.cambridgeinternational.org This list is correct as of 24 Jul 2018. If you are unable to find a school near to where you reside, please approach the Ministry of Education or the British Council for more information.

Importance of IGCSE TUITION IN SINGAPORE

Tuition in general is a tool to leverage throughout a child’s education journey. Enabling subject comprehension, knowledge application, and skill transfer, learners of all types can rely on tuition lessons to perform better in school. So, what makes IGCSE tuition just as important?

Just like the GCE-O Levels, taking the Cambridge IGCSE exams can get stressful. With the numerous modules and classes students have to take on, optimally using of their time after school hours can put a toll on many. Add to that, the pressures of getting good grades in order to continue with higher education, and the challenge these students have ahead of them is one thing parents, and teachers can empathise with. As such, seeking professional guidance is one of the most practical ways of excelling this difficult examination.

IGCSE TUtors in Singapore

Many tuition agencies offer tuition for IGCSE subjects, usually on a one-to-one basis. Google “IGCSE tuition” and many tuition agencies will pop up on your search results. Sieving through all the options and picking the right IGCSE home tutor can get stressful. Therefore, when looking for an IGCSE home tutor, it is best to approach a reputable agency like ChampionTutor. Browse the profiles of our tutors in Singapore and find out if their skills are relevant to your course of study. Contact us today if you need more assistance.For obvious reasons, many tuition agencies in Singapore tend to follow the GCE O-Level syllabus put forth by the Ministry of Education (MOE). For tutors who do specialise in IGCSE subjects, these tuition lessons are usually conducted on a one-to-one basis to facilitate effective tutoring sessions. Beyond that, private tuition is ideal of periods of intense study, like those before a major examination. Capable of providing the student undivided attention, the academic support provided will enable students to ace their IGCSE examination.

However, Google “IGCSE tuition” and many tuition agencies will pop up on your search results. Sieving through all the options and picking the right IGCSE home tutor can get stressful. How then can you navigate this stream of choices and make the right pick for you child? Consider the following:

• The tutor’s experience and qualifications

Be it English literature, a foreign language, or any other language, ensure that your tutor of choice has extensive experience in catering to not only a specific field of study but also equipped with the necessary resources that cater to IGCSE students.

• Try tuition agencies instead

When you sign up with a tutoring agency, you can rest assured that a thorough background check has been conducted on each tutor. This way, you’ll not have to worry if the teacher’s skills are up to par. Therefore, when looking for an IGCSE home tutor, it is best to approach a reputable agency like ChampionTutor.

WHy choose championtutor for igcse tuition

As mentioned, enrolling in the best IGCSE private tuition takes much thought and consideration. At ChampionTutor, we only work with experienced tutors who take the time and effort to customise lessons to meet each student’s needs. Adapting to individual learning styles and abilities, they bring out the best in each child. Browse the profiles of our tutors in Singapore and find out if their skills are relevant to your course of study. Contact us today if you need more assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions about the IGCSEs in Singapore

1. What is the difference between IGCSE and GCSE?

Although the academic demands and standards of both these examinations might share similarities, the context in which their curriculum is set varies. The Cambridge International GCSE is tailored to an international student-body, thus offering a wider range of subjects including multiple languages. Beyond a subject-to-subject comparison, the UK GCSEs have a compulsory coursework component, which is optional in an IGCSE programme.

2. What are the benefits of taking the IGCSEs?

For one, standards of the IGCSEs are recognised internationally, even by esteemed universities. Being one of the most recognised qualifications, this programme is a stepping stone for many students who are looking to take their tertiary education overseas. With many universities in the UK having the Cambridge A Levels and Cambridge IGCSEs as their standard entry requirements, and European universities as well as North American colleges considering the grades of this highly-regarded qualification, this is a good alternative to the standard secondary education.

3. What to look for in IGCSE tuition classes?

Beyond tuition rates, look for a suitable tutor who is experienced with the IGCSE syllabus. If they apply proven exam preparatory methodologies when teaching classes, that will always work in your favour as well. To determine if a home tutor is indeed a skilled and qualified teacher, go through testimonials listed on our site to get a better gauge on their teaching skills, responsibility, punctuality, availability, and ability to maintain constant communication.

4. How can ChampionTutor help you prepare for IGCSEs?

There are several things you can expect when you sign up with ChampionTutor. For one, every lesson will be tailor-made to address any concerns revolving around the international exam. With a well-structured lesson plan accompanied by additional learning practices, our experienced home tutors provide expert guidance to fully prepare you for the exam.