Job Description

Join a rapidly growing organisation that has over 300 ful time and flexi scheme employees, and
operates from 13 centres al over 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
Trainee Educational Therapists - Ful Time
Division/Branch
Main Literacy Programme, English Language & Literacy (ELL) Division
Receive training to become a specialist professional - to provide educational therapy and help shape
the lives of children with dyslexia to achieve their true potential in life when given the right guidance
and support.

Al candidates must be registered with the 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 (SAS) Division, are referred to the Main Literacy Programme (MLP) under the English
Language & 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 normal y come to the 13 DAS learning
centres for two hours a week during the regular school term. DAS classes are kept to an average of
four to five students in a class to ensure individual attention can be provided. Our educational
therapy is based on the Orton-Gil ingham approach and covers a range of literacy skil s 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.

The duties and responsibilities of DAS Educational Therapists include

• Conduct lessons in a group setting (4 to 5 students in a class).
• Conduct semestral assessments at least twice a year in a group setting.
• Develop teaching methods and instructional materials that meet young learners'

varying needs.

• Monitor the academic progress of the students.
• Write progress report, sharing information and discussing issues relating to students'

learning progress with parents during the school terms.

• Conduct Meet-the-Parents sessions held at the end of each semester (twice a year).
• Be involved in the conduct of awareness talks and training courses.
• Be engaged in curriculum and resource design and development, action research and

pilot studies.

• Participate in any other duties as assigned.

OTHER AREAS OF INVOLVEMENT
Educational Therapists (EdTs) are also actively involved in the conduct of awareness talks and
training courses. These activities are conducted at DAS centres, national libraries, community
centres and MOE schools. EdTs are also encouraged to participate in research projects. As a not-for-
profit organisation, al DAS staff are expected to take part in fundraising activities as and when
required.
Page 1 of 4

HEAR FROM OUR CURRENT EDUCATIONAL THERAPISTS!
Get a glimpse of the journey and experience of an Educational Therapist through these featured
articles by our current Educational Therapists:

1. Lead Educational Therapist, Ms Hani Zohra
Hani's passion for special education pushes her to mentor not only students but other teachers as
wel

2. Senior Educational Therapist, Mr Steven Sim
From chemical engineer to award-winning special needs educator!

3. Senior Educational Therapist, Mr Vishnu Ragunathan
Policeman to Educational Therapist

4. Senior Educational Therapist, Ms Zaidah
My journey as an Educational Therapist
SPONSORED TRAINING
The DAS places great emphasis on providing a professional service. To help Trainee Educational
Therapists develop as a teacher of children with dyslexia, they wil attend a Certificate in Dyslexia
Studies course and three weeks of intensive training. As they commence teaching, they wil at the
same time undergo a six-month mentoring programme, fol owed by further training culminating in
an award at a specialist diploma level (Specialist Diploma in Educational Therapy).

Educational Therapists (EdTs) wil also attend various specialist workshops and in-service training. As
part of their continuous professional development, EdTs are required to undertake a postgraduate
certificate in Special Educational Needs (PGC SEN).

Al EdTs are encouraged to explore and DAS wil support relevant further professional development
thereafter.
3-YEAR BOND
In view of the investment in our Educational Therapists (EdTs), they are required to sign an initial 3-
year bond. The training for the Certificate course, Specialist Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate
(PGC) wil be conducted during the bond period. If the EdT is not able to fulfil the bond obligations,
compensation to the DAS is required. EdTs wil be required to sign bond extensions if they are
recommended and agree to attend further training (beyond the PGC).
COMPETENCIES
Personal Competencies (Core):
Technical Competencies (Skills):

• Positive learning attitude

Microsoft Office

• Great drive and initiative

Online meeting platforms such as Zoom,

• Passionate in working with children of al

Google meet etc.
ages

REQUIREMENTS
Page 2 of 4

Education:
Experience:
Other Skills & Knowledge:

• Degree from a recognised
• Relevant teaching
• Strong command of

university, in any discipline
experience in
English (written and
mainstream schools
spoken)
wil be an advantage

• Ability to work flexible

hours including
weekday evenings (4
week nights per week)
and weekends

WORKING HOURS
Al DAS staff work 44 hours a week. As the majority of our students attend mainstream schools,
Educational Therapists are expected to conduct their classes on weekday evenings up to 9 pm, and
on Saturdays and Sundays during MOE school terms. Please note that the above timings may
change in the future if client demand so dictates.
WORK VENUE
Successful candidates must expect to work from any of our 13 learning centres in Bedok, Bishan,
Chinatown, Chua Chu Kang, Henderson, Jurong Point, Parkway Parade, Rex, Sengkang, Serangoon,
Tampines, Woodlands and Yishun. Our Educational Therapists need to go where the children are!
SALARY AND BENEFITS
Successful candidates wil receive a competitive starting salary of S$3,000 per month. Those with
good and relevant honours degrees may receive a starting salary of up to S$3,300. After probation
and upon meeting the necessary criteria (if any), they wil also receive an annual wage supplement,
performance bonus, and other benefits. Staff wil be entitled to medical benefits while on
probation. Educational Therapists (EdTs) enjoy up to 6.5 weeks of school holidays.

EdTs who teach on weeknights and Sundays wil receive an al owance per teaching hour.

Upon completion of relevant postgraduate qualifications, and with at least three years of experience
in supporting children with dyslexia and making significant additional contributions to the work of
the DAS, EdTs wil be eligible to apply for promotion to the next salary scale which starts at S$3,580
per month.

The DAS also awards responsibility al owances, training incentives and sponsorship to deserving
staff. A Masters Degree accredited by a recognised UK university and delivered by the DAS Academy
(http://www.dasacademy.edu.sg/) wil also be available to deserving staff.
REGISTRATION WITH THE REGISTER OF EDUCATIONAL THERAPIST (ASIA) [RETA]
The DAS has initiated the setting up of a Register of trained and experienced professional tutors and
therapists who specialise in supporting individuals with dyslexia and/or related specific learning
difficulties. The Register is guided by a steering committee which comprises senior DAS staff and
individuals working in the private practice and other educational bodies. The Register wil provide
public recognition of professional training and competence for members. DAS Educational
Therapists wil sign up with RETA (http://www.reta.sg/) once they have attained the necessary
training and experience.
APPLICATION DETAILS
Al interested applicants are to submit the fol owing as part of their application
1. DAS Employment Application Form, duly completed (form can be downloaded from the
Careers page of our website)
2. Resume
3. A short video describing why they want to join the DAS (see Sections 1 and 2 for submission
guidelines).
Page 3 of 4

Email the above submissions to jobs@das.org.sg by 25 September 2022.
Only complete applications (with the above 3 items) will be considered.

Only shortlisted candidates wil be contacted.
All shortlisted candidates are required to attend a Preview Session on 3 October 2022

Selected candidates must be able to start work from 1 February 2023.

Section 1: How to attach a video for email
1. Right-click your video file. Click on "Properties" and look at the size of the file. Many email
systems limit you to a file size of about 10 megabytes or less. If your video file is larger than
10 megabytes, see Section 2 below for an alternative sending method.
2. Attach the compressed folder to a new email message and send it to jobs@das.org.sg

Section 2: How to send large video files

1. Upload your video file to https://www.hightail.com by creating a free account and uploading
files not larger than 50 megabytes.

OR

2. Using Youtube to upload video:

• Sign in to YouTube.
• Click the Upload link at the top of the page.
• Select the video you'd like to upload from your computer.

You can also record a video from your webcam, or create a video slideshow.

Once the upload is completed, an email wil be sent to notify you that your video is done uploading
and processing. You can then forward that email to jobs@das.org.sg. If you prefer not to receive