Certificate in English as a Global Language (EGL) Full-time
(Awarded by Ascend Education Centre) Applications close on 12 April 2012

Fees payable to Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA)

On collection of student pass, students must pay ICA a Security Deposit of S$1,000/$1,500/$5,000 payable to ICA by Bankers Guarantee/NETS. The Security Deposit is returnable to the student on completing their studies in Singapore. Also, the student must pay ICA for Student Pass Issuance Fee & Multiple Visa Entry/Exit Fee (payable to ICA) approx: S$60-90. Payment by NETS/Cash Card at ICA Building or online via Solar System www.ica.gov.sg using a debit/credit card.

Bankers Guarantee Fee      S$300 for ICA Security Deposit of S$1,500/S$1,000

Bankers Guarantee Fee      S$500 for ICA Security Deposit of S$5,000

Reapplication Fee              S$100

Miscellaneous fees can be made by: NETS, cash, bank draft, money order or SGD cheque made payable to: ‘Ascend Education Centre Pte Ltd’

4.  Full-time Course Terms & Conditions

Non student pass International Students e.g. DP holders, Long Term Visit Pass holders, Employment Pass holders, Work Holiday pass holders must seek the permission of ICA to study full-time. It is a condition of entry that students hold a valid letter of consent issued by ICA which covers the duration of the 12 week course. Ascend Education Centre will not be held responsible if a student fails to secure a valid letter of consent. Local students e.g. Singaporeans and PRs do not require such permission.

5.  Full-time Course Description

Ascend Education Centre's Full-time English as a Global Language (EGL) course covers the four skills of speaking, writing, listening and reading as well as pronunciation and grammar. It also includes a focus on practical application of the skills learnt through an additional two hours of structured and applied learning. The course consists of three four week modules with exams at the end of each module to monitor students’ progress. Students who pass the course will receive a Certificate of Achievement while students who do not pass will receive a Certificate of attendance. It is a condition of sitting for the module exams that a student’s attendance must not fall below 90%.

Our commitment to academic excellence at Ascend Education Centre is reflected in our adoption of the Council of Europe's Common European Framework (CEF) of reference (2001) for language teaching and assessment. The aim of the CEF is to provide a common international base for defining and measuring levels of language proficiency.

Our EGL program at Ascend Education Centre consists of 5 language levels which are mapped directly onto the Common European Framework as shown in the table below. The table also compares the language level at Ascend Education Centre and the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) and the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). Our students at Ascend Education Centre are expected to reach an IETLS score of 6.0 or a TOEFL IBT score of 80 to progress on to diploma and degree programmes in Singapore or overseas.

If you would like to join our EGL course the first step if you are outside of Singapore is to take our free online test or you can call us at +65 6338 1378 or email enquiry@ascend.edu.sg

Lisa van der Berg,
is Ascend Education Centre's Lab Manager. She has been teaching, training, facilitating and lecturing. Her students have spanned the full spectrum from complete novices to highly proficient individuals and from toddlers, through primary, secondary, tertiary and adult learners. Her classrooms have been in kindergartens, schools, universities, language centres and community centres in North America, South Africa, Hong Kong and now in Singapore.

She tries to create an honest and authentic, dynamic and interactive classroom where students from all walks of life feel comfortable participating and communicating. She aims to provide age and level appropriate materials and activities that are both interesting and challenging to her students. She uses positive reinforcement and constructive correction to maintain a high level of motivation in her classes and to keep all her students progressing towards their desired learning outcomes.

Annie Fosselius,
is a Danish citizen who has worked in Singapore for the last 14 years. Annie holds a Masters in Danish Language, Literature and History with a special focus on linguistics as well as a Cambridge CELTA. For the last eleven years Annie has been teaching EFL, IELTS and Simple Business Courses to a variety of students of all ages. In addition, Annie has also given private tuition to employees and diplomats from the Korean Embassy. She loves teaching and she especially enjoys learning about her students’ backgrounds and their countries cultures and religions. Annie has established informal movie and book clubs with her current and ex-students to help them to continue improving their English.

Jane Hellner,
is a New Zealander living in Singapore. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Anthropology from Otago University, Dunedin New Zealand and a CELTA qualification from University of Waikato, New Zealand. She has a particular interest in linguistics and enjoys working with her students to improve their skills in all aspects of the English language.

Jane has worked in schools in both New Zealand and Singapore for the past twelve years, in a number of roles including Librarian and Manager of Teaching Resources. She has worked with a variety of age groups but has found teaching adults to be particularly enjoyable and rewarding.

David Towm,
David is from New Zealand, but spent many of his formative years in Singapore, having lived here for nine years here as a child. He has worked in various positions, including as an Editor and an Urban Planner, but has returned to English teaching as that is what he enjoys most. He has taught all levels in Beijing, Moscow and Auckland. He has a bachelor's degrees in Science and Law and a Master's Degree in Environmental Policy, as well as a Cambridge CELTA teaching qualification.

More recently, he has begun the DELTA programme to continue his professional development. What David enjoys most about teaching is having the opportunity to interact with people from a variety of different backgrounds and cultures and he believes that such interaction paves the way for a positive learning environment in the classroom.

Nurzaihan Noordin Ryan (Zee)
a Singaporean, has been cultivating her interest in teaching since 2000. Upon completion of her Sociology & Economics degree at the National University of Singapore (NUS), she went on to complete her TEFL certification with ITTT (International TESOL Teacher Training). Her teaching background includes local and overseas stints, teaching students of all ages and nationalities.

Not a fan of monotony, she believes that interest will lead to the desire to pursue. As much as she can, she tailors her lessons to suit the various needs and interests of students. This, she admits, is not necessarily easy but definitely worthwhile.

Victoria Fury,
is a Canadian who has lived and worked in Singapore and Indonesia for 13 years. She has taught EGL at all levels, as well as Business and Hospitality English and IELTS. Victoria holds a TESOL Certificate with an educational background in English Lit. and Psychology. Her teaching approach is one of patient guidance, aid and encouragement, combined with a liberal dash of humor to make learning enjoyable. She firmly believes that the friendly, open, caring learning environment and experienced, committed teachers at Ascend Education Centre are a key factor in the success of its students.

Vinitha Mukherjee,
Vini is a native of India, but has lived in Singapore and Malaysia for the last 11 years. She has a bachelor's degree in English literature from the University of Bombay, India as well as a TESOL certification from SEA English Academy (Australia). She has taught ESL at all levels, IELTS and conducted public speaking and communication workshops.

She believes in leveraging her teaching experience and academic background to design engaging and inspiring lessons to effectively address the curriculum and help students realize their individual potential. She firmly believes that a comfortable and enjoyable classroom experience is the key to positive learning.

Christine Hennessy,
Teacher Christine is from Ireland. She has been an English language teacher for 7 years. She always wanted to teach English as she likes to see progress in her students and she likes to understand their needs in English language learning. Her students also teach her a lot about their countries and she enjoys her classes with them. She has taught English in Taiwan, Hong Kong and now Singapore.

Both Taiwan and Singapore have been her favourite countries to teach English as she can also attend classes to use and learn a new language - Mandarin. Her home country - Ireland - is famous for shamrocks, leprechauns, the colour green, guinesss beer, Irish dancing, the countryside, red hair, Gaelic football, hurling, horse racing, pubs, churches and luck. There is a saying that if you kiss the Blarney Stone in her country, you can gain the gift of eloquence. Christine looks forward to meeting you.

Michael Ahern,
Michael Ahern is from Ireland and has recently completed his TEFL (Teach English as a Foreign Language) training. Michael went to Dublin City University where he studied a humanities course majoring in History, English and Theology.

Michael traces his wish to teach back to the influence of one of his own teachers while he was studying at secondary school. Learning from his mentor, Michael is keen to ensure all his classes are as interactive as possible. Michael enjoys nothing more than giving his students the tools and opportunities to practice in a safe and enjoyable atmosphere where each student can achieve their maximum potential.