Best English Classes in Singapore (2026): Top 5 Compared

Key takeaways

• Best for improving speaking with personalized one-on-one lessons and real-time feedback from native English teachers: italki
• Best for structured part-time courses with a set curriculum: British Council Singapore
• Best for small group classes with weekday and weekend slots: English Express
• Best for group classes with monthly excursions and theme activities: United Language Centre (ULC)
• Best for full-time immersion study for visitors and international students: EF Singapore

The best English classes in Singapore depend on your schedule: some learners want a fixed classroom timetable, while others need lessons that fit around their week. Many learners want to speak English with confidence at work, in interviews and in daily life, but struggle to find regular practice around long days and busy schedules.

italki helps you reach that goal with online one-on-one lessons, so you speak more, get corrected in real time and see progress week by week. Backed by 15+ years of experience, 30,000+ teachers and over 10 million learners worldwide, it works for beginners and advanced learners alike.

This guide is for beginners, working professionals, international students and newcomers to Singapore. It compares five options by format, fees, location and who each suits, so you can match a class to your English level, schedule and budget.

Want more speaking practice without a fixed timetable? Find English tutors in Singapore and book a trial lesson.

How we chose the best English classes in Singapore

Each option was evaluated against five criteria, using the provider’s official 2026 information.

Evaluation criteria	What was assessed
Teacher quality	Teaching experience, qualifications and how easily you can check a teacher’s background.
Class format	One-to-one, small group or larger classes, and which suits your learning style.
Flexibility	Start dates, class times and how well lessons fit around work, study or family.
Pricing	Tuition, learning-related fees, trial lessons and overall value.
Selection tools	Level tests, reviews, consultations and trial lessons.

Each provider receives a “Best for” label based on its format and the type of learner it serves. These labels are editorial recommendations, not an overall ranking.

Best English classes in Singapore at a glance

The table compares five English classes in Singapore by best use, format and typical price.

School/Platform	Best for	Format	Typical pricing
italki	Speaking practice with personalized one-on-one lessons	Online	From $4/lesson
British Council Singapore	Structured part-time courses	In person and online	S$966 to S$2,048 per course, depending on the course
English Express	Small group classes	In person and online	S$507.94 to S$1,255.68, depending on the hours booked
United Language Centre (ULC)	Group classes with excursions and theme activities	In person	S$1,700 to S$3,200, depending on the package
EF Singapore	Full-time immersion study	In person	S$1,660 to S$31,150, depending on the course and length

Note: Prices as of October 2026. italki prices are in USD per lesson; Singapore school prices are in SGD. Check each provider’s website for current information before you register.

Want to test one-on-one lessons first? Book a trial lesson with an English tutor in Singapore and see how it feels.

What are the best English classes in Singapore?

1. italki: best for personalized lessons and speaking practice

• Format: Online 1-on-1 video lessons
• Price: From $4/lesson
• Location: Online
• Level: Beginner, intermediate and advanced learners
• Ideal for: Busy Singapore learners, beginners through advanced students, business English, exam preparation, conversational English and everyday general English

italki is an online language learning platform that offers live one-on-one English lessons with teachers from around the world, built around your level and goals. With 30,000+ expert tutors trusted by over 10 million learners worldwide, you can book up to three trial lessons to find a teacher whose style suits you.

Pros

• Personalized one-on-one lessons. Your teacher adapts each lesson to your English level, goals and learning style, so the whole lesson focuses on you rather than on a group curriculum. You can work on the areas you find most difficult, from everyday conversation to pronunciation and grammar. For specific goals, IELTS tutors help with test preparation, business English tutors with presentations and interviews, and English tutors for kids with younger learners.
• Measurable speaking progress. An independent study found that 71.6% of italki learners moved up at least one level in oral proficiency after roughly two months of lessons (Vesselinov & Grego, 2018). For learners in Singapore who need confident English at work, that means visible progress within a few months.
• Real-time feedback. Your teacher corrects your pronunciation, grammar and word choice while you speak, so mistakes are fixed before they become habits. You can also ask questions as they come up and get help with writing tasks such as essays.
• Verified professional teachers. Teachers with the Professional Teacher label have submitted proof of teaching qualifications to italki. Examples include a Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA), a Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) certificate, or a university degree in language teaching.
• Lessons that fit your week, with no commute. You can book lessons before work, after dinner or on weekends, with no semesters or fixed timetable to follow. Every lesson takes place in the italki classroom, so the time you would spend traveling across the island goes into speaking practice.
• Pay per lesson. Lessons start from US$4, with no registration fee and no long-term contract. English tutor cost varies with each teacher’s experience and specialty, so you can choose a price that fits your budget.

Cons

• There is no set course curriculum by default, so the lesson structure depends on the plan you agree with your teacher.
• No in-person classroom experience. Lessons take place online.

What English learners say about italki

Reviews from English learners on Trustpilot highlight three benefits of learning on italki: lessons tailored to individual goals, speaking practice with real-time corrections, and patient one-on-one teaching. Learners describe using lessons to work on specific weaknesses, practice conversations, and receive teacher feedback they can apply outside the classroom.

Personalized lessons for different English goals: “italki is a very convenient and efficient platform to manage your English lessons: I’m studying with two teachers, one for grammar & pronunciation, the second one for English conversation & business English.”

— Trustpilot review

Speaking practice with real-time corrections: “I really enjoy the quality of speaking practice on italki, especially having a tutor who provides real-time corrections and feedback. My tutor has helped me apply what I’ve learned in my lessons to real conversations, making my language-learning journey more practical, engaging, and effective.”

— Trustpilot review

Patient teaching and individual attention: “Very patient teacher. Love being able to practice and learn 1-on-1 with a patient teacher. 5 lessons in and I’ve come a long way.”

— Trustpilot review

Together, these experiences show why learners value choosing teachers for different needs, receiving corrections during conversations, and practicing English at their own pace. For learners in Singapore who want to improve their spoken English around work or study, these are practical reasons to consider one-on-one lessons.

How to get started and learn English on italki

1. Create a free account on italki.
2. Browse English tutors in Singapore, read each profile’s details and filter by price, availability and speciality.
3. Book a trial lesson and share your goals and English level with the teacher before committing to regular lessons.
4. Join your online 1-on-1 video lessons at the time you chose and start learning.

Study around your week, with a teacher who focuses on you. Book a trial lesson with an English tutor in Singapore.

2. British Council Singapore: best for structured part-time courses

• Format: Part-time group classes, in person or online
• Price: S$966 to S$2,048 per course
• Location: 30 Napier Road, with a second centre in Toa Payoh
• Ideal for: Adults who want a structured part-time course with a set curriculum

British Council Singapore is an English teaching centre run by the British Council, the United Kingdom’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. It offers General English, Speak with Confidence and IELTS preparation courses for adults, with levels measured on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), a scale that runs from A1 for beginners to C2 for advanced users.

Pros

• Courses are grouped by English level, so you can join a class that matches your starting point.
• Course options cover general English, speaking, grammar and IELTS preparation.

Cons

• Fixed class timetable across a 10-week term.
• A higher hourly fee than most group classes.
• Speaking time is shared among the class members.

3. English Express: best for small group classes

• Format: Group classes, in person or online
• Price: S$507.94 to S$1,255.68, depending on the hours booked
• Location: 20 Kramat Lane, #05-05 United House, near Somerset and Dhoby Ghaut stations
• Ideal for: Learners who want a group class with weekday and weekend options

English Express is an English language school in Singapore for adult learners. It offers general English courses taught in small groups, in person or live on Zoom, and sells courses in blocks of 16, 32 or 48 hours.

Pros

• Classes run through the day on weekdays, so you can choose a morning, afternoon or evening slot.
• Weekend classes are available for learners who work during the week.

Cons

• Group format means less individual attention for each learner.
• Courses must be completed within a fixed period.

4. United Language Centre (ULC): best for excursions and theme classes

• Format: In-person group classes
• Price: S$1,700 to S$3,200
• Extra fees: One-time registration fee of S$85
• Location: 1 Coleman Street, #10-11 The Adelphi, near City Hall station
• Best for: Learners who want group classes with excursions and theme activities

United Language Centre is an English language school in Singapore that teaches adult learners. It offers an Essential English course taught in small groups, alongside Business English courses, and sells lessons as packages of 20 or 40 lessons.

Pros

• Upcoming classes can be cancelled and make-up lessons booked on the app.
• Monthly excursions and theme classes give you real-life practice outside the classroom.

Cons

• Lesson packages expire after 16 weeks.
• Classes are held exclusively in person, so you have to attend at the school.

5. EF Singapore: best for full-time immersion study

• Format: In person.
• Price: S$1,660 to S$31,150, depending on the course intensity and length.
• Location: EF International Language Campus, 15 Carpenter Street.
• Best for: Visitors and international students who want full-time immersion.

EF Singapore is the Singapore campus of EF Education First, an international language training company. It offers full-time Intensive, General and Basic English courses at levels from beginner to advanced, from short stays to long-term study.

Pros

• Full-time timetable gives daily classroom practice in speaking and listening.
• Weekly start dates, with course lengths from two weeks to a year.

Cons

• A full-time timetable does not fit learners with jobs or family commitments.
• Lessons run in fixed morning and afternoon blocks, leaving little room to choose your class times.

Looking for lessons built around your own English level? Explore one-on-one English lessons in Singapore and book a trial lesson.

Online vs in-person English classes in Singapore: which should you choose?

From a learner’s perspective, online one-on-one lessons offer more flexibility, feedback and speaking time. In-person classes offer more classroom community and a fixed routine.

Factor	Online one-on-one (italki)	In-person classes in Singapore
Flexibility	Lessons booked around shifts, study and family	Set timetables and start dates
Individual attention	The whole lesson centres on you	Class sizes vary, and smaller classes give more chances to take part
Speaking time	Dedicated speaking practice throughout the lesson	Speaking time divided among classmates
Personalized feedback	Real-time corrections as you speak	Feedback shared across the group
Cost structure	From $4/lesson, paid lesson by lesson	Course or package fees paid upfront
Social/classroom experience	Direct interaction with your teacher	Classmates, events and group activities
Commute	None	Travel to the classroom

• Choose online one-on-one lessons if you want more time speaking English, personalized lessons built around your goals and real-time feedback from a teacher focused on your progress. Flexible scheduling also makes it easier to fit lessons around work, study and family.
• Choose in-person group classes if you prefer learning alongside classmates, following a structured curriculum and attending classes on a fixed weekly schedule.

If flexibility and personal feedback matter most, book a trial lesson with an English speaking tutor in Singapore.

Which English class in Singapore is best for improving your English skills?

The best English class in Singapore depends on your goal and schedule:

• Choose italki if you want to build speaking confidence with one-on-one lessons that fit around work, family and study.
• Choose British Council Singapore if you want a structured part-time course with a set curriculum.
• Choose English Express if you want a group class with weekday and weekend slots that are easy to book.
• Choose ULC if you want group classes with monthly excursions and theme activities for real-life practice.
• Choose EF Singapore if you are visiting or studying full time for a few weeks or months.

Want lessons built around your own English level? Explore English lessons in Singapore on italki and book a trial lesson.

Related reading: Best English classes in Sydney and best English classes in Vancouver

Ready to improve your English in Singapore?

Learn English with personalized guidance from expert tutors trusted by over 10 million learners worldwide. No commute, no fixed timetable, just lessons built around your goals. Book a trial lesson today.

FAQ

Where can I take English classes in Singapore?

You can take English classes in Singapore online with a private tutor or in person at a language school. On italki, you book one-on-one lessons with a teacher who matches your goals, from US$4 per lesson, with no commute or fixed timetable. Language schools in central Singapore run group courses on set term dates, which suits learners who want classmates and a fixed weekly routine. Compare online English tutors in Singapore and book a trial lesson to start.

How much do English classes cost in Singapore?

English classes in Singapore cost from US$4 per online lesson on italki to over S$30,000 for a year of full-time study at a language school. On italki, you pay lesson by lesson with no registration fee, and the price varies with each teacher’s experience and specialty. Part-time group courses at Singapore language schools typically cost S$500 to S$3,200 per course or package, usually paid upfront, and some schools add a one-time registration fee.

How do I find my English level before I book a class?

You can assess your English level using a placement test based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), which ranges from A1 (beginner) to C2 (proficient). You can also book a trial lesson on italki, where an English teacher can assess your speaking skills, identify areas for improvement, and recommend a suitable starting point.

How many months of regular practice does an English speaking course need?

Improving spoken English can take weeks or months, depending on your starting level, goals, and how often you practice. Preparing for a specific job interview may require less time than developing fluency for everyday conversations. On italki, you can schedule one-on-one English lessons around your availability and receive feedback on pronunciation, grammar, and speaking skills.