Key Developments in English Education in Singapore from the Post-Independence Period to the Present

Overview & Synopsis

English education has played a key role in the modernization and globalization of Singapore. Following the institution of the Bilingual policy in the year following the nation's independence in 1965, the English Language attained a privileged status among other languages taught in Singapore schools. To this day, it is viewed as a vital catalyst to securing Singapore's continued economic growth and to maintaining its image as a cosmopolitan hub conducive to foreign businesses and investments. In this chapter, we chart developments in English education in Singapore from the country's independence in 1965 to the present. We focus on key changes to English Language syllabuses across Singapore's history which we contextualize alongside four major phases of education in Singapore: Survival-driven education (1950s to 1960s), Efficiency-driven education (1970s to 1980s), Ability-driven education (1990s to 2000s), and Student-centric, Values-driven education (2010 to the present). The chapter concludes with observations about future developments of English education in Singapore. [For the complete volume, "Education in Singapore: People-Making and Nation-Building. Education in the Asia-Pacific Region: Issues, Concerns and Prospects. Volume 66," see ED675893.]