Educational Therapist

**DYSLEXIA ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE LIMITED**
**ORGANISATION PROFILE**
Join a rapidly growing organisation that has over 300 full-time and flexi scheme employees, and

operates from 14 centres and other locations in Singapore

The Dyslexia Association of Singapore Limited (DAS) provides a continuum of services for children

with dyslexia, their parents, mainstream teachers and other professionals in the field of dyslexia in

Singapore.

**JOB DESCRIPTION**
Position Educational Therapist (Chinese) - Flexi Scheme

Division/Branch Chinese Programme, SES Division

We are looking for individuals with a passion in teaching Chinese but are not able to commit to a full

respond at short notice to cover classes at the different DAS learning centres. They must be able to

Ministry of Education (MOE) before they can start teaching at the DAS.

**Programmes under the DAS**
Children with dyslexia, once assessed by DAS Specialist Psychologists from the SpLD Assessment

Services division, are referred to the Main Literacy Programme (MLP) under our English Language

and Literacy (ELL) division. Many children are also referred to DAS by psychologists from MOE,

hospitals and private practice. These children attend classes in MOE schools and come to the DAS for

additional support after school hours. Students normally come to the 14 DAS learning centres for

two hours a week during the regular school term. DAS classes are kept to an average of four

students to ensure individual attention can be provided. Our educational therapy is based on the

Orton-Gillingham approach and covers a range of literacy skills including phonics, which enables

children with dyslexia to learn better and become independent learners. DAS Educational Therapists

also meet up regularly with learners’ parents to give feedback, advice and encouragement.

Over the years, we have received many requests from parents to provide support in the Chinese

Language as well. While some research and remediation programmes have been ongoing in China,

Hong Kong and Taiwan, Singapore's unique multilingual environment and learning of Chinese as a

second language require differentiation as the challenges that children with dyslexia face in

Singapore are different.

The DAS Chinese Team has piloted research in this area in 2009 and kickstarted the Chinese

programme for children with dyslexia in Singapore in 2013. The programme, under the Specialised

Educational Services (SES) division currently has an enrolment of more than 300 students and has

supported more than 500 students over the years.

**The duties and responsibilities of a DAS Educational Therapist (Chinese) includes
- **

Providing intervention in the Chinese language in a small group settingParticipating in research to evaluate the effectiveness of the programmeUndergoing continued training to enhance teaching practices and receive other relevant

training as requiredResponding to relief teaching needs where necessary.

**TRAINING PROVIDED**
The DAS places great emphasis on providing a professional service. To help Educational Therapists

(Chinese) on the flexi scheme (Flexi Chinese EdTs) develop in their professional practice, they **will**need to** attend the Certificate in Dyslexia Studies and the Specialist Diploma in Educational Therapy

(Chinese Support). There will also be ongoing training in your time with the DAS.

The DAS will fully sponsor the course fees for the training. In view of the sponsorship, there is a 2
- year minimum service period (MSP).

While the DAS is invested in providing training and support, Flexi Chinese EdTs are expected to

invest their personal time for the training and other matters such as attending lectures, completing

the necessary course work and preparing lesson plans for the classes they are teaching.

**MINIMUM SERVICE PERIOD**
In view of the full sponsorship by the DAS for the training course fees, there is a 2-year minimum

service period (MSP) that the Educational Therapists (Chinese) on the flexi scheme (Flexi Chinese

EdTs) have to serve. The MSP will start from the date of the first teaching class.

Compensation to the DAS is payable should the Flexi Chinese EdT not fulfil the MSP obligations.

During this 2-year MSP, Flexi Chinese EdTs are expected to fulfil 640 teaching hours (at a minimum

of 8 hours per week).

**COMPETENCIES**
**Personal Competencies (Core):

- **

Positive learning attitudeGreat drive and initiativePassionate in working with children of all

ages

**Technical Competencies (Skills):

- **

Microsoft Office**

**REQUIREMENTS**
**Education**:
Degree from a recognised

university, in any discipline.

**Experience:

- **

Experience in teaching

MOE schools and/or

other relevant

qualifications will be an

advantage.Familiarity with the

MOE Chinese

Curriculum is preferred.

**Other Skills & Knowledge:

- **

Proficient in both

English and Chinese

languages.Willing to be part of a

team that carries out

research, develops and