A Literature major, Mr Aman is currently living his dream as he pursues a dual role in teaching and curriculum development. Over the years, he has grown to love teaching, having worked previously in journalism and other writing related endeavours. He brings his own passion for Literature into the classroom and incorporates it into many of the Short Stories our students have grown to love. Humble, client-oriented and extremely good-natured, Mr Aman has become one of our best-loved teachers at Academia, especially for fellow football enthusiasts! Mr Aman is dedicated and willing to go the extra mile for his students, and is a pillar of support for our learning community.

Literary art enthusiast, passionate bard of poetry and bearing love for the humanities, Ms Annabelle is driven in providing a safe, conducive space for learning. Given her vast array of experiences in working with children and youth, she believes that building the foundations of the English language can in turn, inculcate opportunities for personal growth. With an approach that encourages self-directed learning, Annabelle empowers her students by promoting their readiness to seek new knowledge and courage to step into uncharted waters with confidence. Having graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy (Honours) from The National University of Singapore, she combines philosophical inquisitiveness and positive reinforcement in class to create energetic eagerness in her students. A genuine, sincere educator who aspires to create the best grounds for achieving greater literary heights, she taps on both intellectual and emotive aspects to provide a holistic learning experience.

With 17 years of local and global teaching experience under his belt, Mr Azrael Tseng is a dynamic and motivational English and Literature teacher who brings an extraordinary amount of energy into his classroom. An RI Old Boy, his passion for the English language was honed with his BA in English Language and Literature at NUS. Having taught Secondary English and Literature with the MOE for 7 years upon receiving his PGDE from the NIE, he subsequently became a lecturer and examination board member at the Academy for English Language Teachers training professional educators around the world. He had a stint in Japan where he taught the International Baccalaureate (IB) at a prestigious IB-aligned international school in Okinawa, helping students to achieve numerous 45-pointers for the IB examination. In his free time, Mr Azrael is also an avid writer and poet. You can read his literary works at azraeltseng.com.

A communications graduate with professional experience in community engagement and writing, Chermain is a skilled and versatile tutor whose expertise in writing and communication allows her to effectively convey complex concepts and help students develop their own writing skills. Having worked in various corporate roles from Shaw Holdings to Richemont S.A., Chermain’s decision to shift her career to teaching was precipitated through a meaningful experience tutoring underprivileged students in her church’s volunteer programme.

With years of experience working with diverse groups of people, Chermain’s dedication to serving her community and her passion for education make her an ideal tutor. She is able to connect with students from all backgrounds and ability levels. Chermain’s style is to create a supportive learning environment that fosters growth and development, helping each of her students to reach their full potential and to achieve their academic goals.

As a teacher, Ms. Ten strives to create a learning environment that is inclusive, supportive, and stimulating. In her classes, she aims to inspire interaction and participation through well-structured lessons that are tailored to the different learning styles of her young charges. Her passion for teaching was ignited during her university days while working in student care, where she realised the profound impact that a motivated teacher could have on young minds. This transformative experience galvanised her, armed with a degree in International Business and Management and an IELTS certification, to pursue a formal career in teaching. Outside of education, Ms. Ten has worked in a number roles, but she finds herself most enthusiastic about guiding students as they explore and achieve their potential, and she finds immense satisfaction in witnessing their growth and success.

Ms. Ten believes that a good teacher needs to be adaptable, empathetic, and passionate, in order to connect with students and inspire curiosity. Outside of teaching, she enjoys exploring natural landscapes and outdoor activities such as hiking, which not only refreshes her but also inspires creativity and resilience that she brings into the classroom. Committed to lifelong learning, Ms. Ten continuously seeks opportunities to enhance her teaching skills, while ensuring she remains an enthusiastic, approachable, and patient educator.

Highly respected by his former students, Dr Neil Laurence Coomber spent five years teaching General Paper at Raffles Institution, where he set examination papers ranging from Prelims and Promos to Common Tests. He possesses exam setting, marking and standardisation expertise, having developed school curriculum and infopacks for a variety of themes. His teaching skills are highly regarded by those who have had the good fortune to study under him and his legendary General Paper notes are highly sought after. Prior to teaching in Singapore, he taught English for the IELTS and TOEFL to MBA, graduate, and business students internationally. His impeccable credentials include a PhD from Oxford University supervised by the Pro-Vice Chancellor of Oxford University, Professor Dame Jessica Rawson, as well as a Certificate in Teaching Gifted and Talented Students from Purdue. He has trained at the Raffles Teaching Academy and NIE and many will remember him as the Master of Ceremony during the quintessential school rugby finals for several seasons running. He knows how to guide students with their UCAS applications and testimonials to top universities, ranging from Oxbridge to the Ivy League.

Mr. Ethan Wee is a dedicated educator with a strong academic background in political science and philosophy from the National University of Singapore. Throughout his school years, he consistently excelled in English, topping his cohort in General Paper during junior college. Interestingly, Mr. Wee was not always academically inclined. It was the encouragement from his secondary school English teacher, who recognised his linguistic strengths, that ignited his passion for learning. This pivotal experience now drives him to inspire his students to discover their inner strengths and fully embrace their own educational journey.

Mr. Wee’s teaching style is thorough, structured, and thought-provoking. An excellent listener, he prefers to guide students in developing their own unique ways of thinking rather than simply asserting information. He believes that learning should be an engaging and organic process, free from the tedium of rote memorization. By fostering a classroom environment where students feel comfortable voicing their opinions without fear of judgment, he encourages them to test their arguments and embrace constructive criticism. His deep interest in the art of argumentation enriches his lessons, and he is always happy to entertain any esoteric questions about life that students might have. Parents and students alike appreciate his patient, encouraging, and consultative approach, which not only improves academic standing but also equips students with valuable skills to navigate a complex world.

Ms. Iris Lim is a passionate educator who discovered her love for teaching during the height of the pandemic. Initially starting as a tutor while awaiting her full-time job after graduating with first-class honours from the University of Melbourne, she quickly realized that teaching was her true calling. Even after beginning her professional career, she continued to teach on weekends, eagerly looking forward to those moments each week. She soon switched to a career in teaching. English had always been her strong suit; in secondary school, she received awards for being the best in her level for social studies and literature, highlighting her long-standing excellence in the humanities.

Ms. Lim finds immense reward in witnessing the spark of genuine understanding in her students' eyes, especially when they've struggled with a concept or grammar component. Her teaching style is nurturing, patient, and engaging—creating a safe environment where even the most reserved students feel comfortable to participate. She believes that a great teacher is one who not only is competent but also creates a conducive space for all students to flourish. By offering highly tailored feedback that considers each student's individual strengths and weaknesses, she has earned the gratitude of many students and parents for her genuine care and meticulous approach. Outside the classroom, Ms. Lim is an avid reader who sets a yearly goal to finish reading a hundred books – though admittedly she has only succeeded once, during the pandemic lockdown in 2020.

Mr Jeremiah Sng is an intellectual and analytic teacher who has cultivated a deep fascination and respect for the nuances of the English language from a young age. This process has continued to develop throughout the course of his educational journey. Inspired to follow in the footsteps of the teachers who had so meaningfully impacted his own learning experience, Jeremiah pursued a double major in English Language and English Literature at the National University of Singapore. Having graduated with a First Class Honours and a Bachelor of Arts, Jeremiah applies this intellectual prowess to deconstructing the mechanics of various English language aspects for those under his care. Indeed, he adopts a consultative and technical style that encourages his students to actively participate in class discussions and push their own limits whilst providing a firm and scaffolded structure that supports this discovery process. A passionate and driven educator, he firmly believes that every student has untapped potential and is fully committed to helping them achieve their goals, both academic and beyond.

An educator, writer and builder, I have spent my life thinking about how to improve the brain's fundamental programming language: English. We spend a great deal of time building immense computing systems and architecting their programming language — let's not forget about our own minds. Another great passion of mine is Literature. Storytelling shapes the world around us and our perception; from the world's greatest brands to the soft-power of great civilisations, literature in its myriad forms is what enables remarkable stories to take root. My journey began with hard-won academic credentials, which include multiple prizes in Literature at Raffles Institution, being the nationwide top student, and a full scholarship from Princeton University that included a year spent across the pond at Oxford. I'd subsequently been accepted to do my PhD at Cambridge but dropped out to take up a job offer to work for a CEO of an education group, and have never regretted the decision. Since then, I've worked in private education, playing a pioneering role in curriculum development at various centres in my early career, and shifting to privately tutoring students of UNHW clients. In 2013, I conceptualised Academia as an intentionally designed centre for education that combines all of these insights and delivers an unparalleled curriculum. I've also had a parallel career as a language consultant and copywriter for high-profile clients including Singapore Management University, Louis Vuitton, Citibank and BNP Paribas, among others, and take enormous pride in bringing those experiences to our students through pedagogy and writing.

Ms Koh is a warm, bubbly and approachable teacher who is eager to forge that all-important rapport with her students. Having previously worked at a diversity of educational spaces ranging from enrichment centres to social welfare organizations, she has encountered students from all walks of life. We believe this enables her to be sensitive to her students’ diverse learning styles, ensuring that each student’s unique academic needs are met. With a B.S. in Psychology (Honours), she strongly believes that students should be active participants in their own learning. Thus she believes in discovering her students’ individual learning histories and engaging with their innate curiosity to direct their learning. Specifically, she employs a differentiated approach to create a student-focused learning environment that encourages resourcefulness and critical thinking; at the same time, promoting emotional security in the context of diversity. Coupled with her amiable disposition, she has demonstrated an ability to engage with balance in the classroom. With English being at the heart of everything we do, the challenge of getting students to be engaged and motivated to use the English language is always at the forefront of her mind.

Matthew Low is a thoughtful and articulate scholar of the literary arts. An Anglo-Chinese School alumnus, his introspective journey with the world of literature and books began from a young age, when he realised that every work he dived into - stories, poems, and other forms - allowed him to look at the world in new ways, challenging him to find value in unexpected places. A recipient of the Nanyang Scholarship, Nanyang Technological University's foremost undergraduate scholarship, Matthew took his passion for literature into his university studies, graduating with Highest Distinction Honours, and a Bachelor of Arts in English. During his time in NTU, he was a Dean's Lister for three consecutive years, and received the School of Humanities Book Prize for English. At Academia, Matthew seeks to share with students his belief that literature enables us to explore the deepest and dearest thoughts and experiences from great intellects across time periods and geographical distances. A focused educator, his objective is to help students appreciate the artistry in each literary work they encounter. In the process, students learn to express themselves clearly and authentically, and gain confidence in their own language skills. 

Ms. Michelle Chen is a dedicated educator whose passion for teaching was ignited during her university days, studying for her Bachelor of Arts in Communication. Initially tutoring to make ends meet, she soon discovered that helping students overcome their academic challenges brought her deep fulfilment and joy. With a strong grasp for the English language, having received a First in Cohort Award for General Paper during her JC days, Ms. Chen explored private tutoring across a wide range of levels, from Phonics to General Paper, working part-time at various enrichment centres before joining Academia upon graduation.

Ms. Chen believes that a good teacher should be patient, resourceful, and adept at breaking down complex skills and concepts to meet each student's unique strengths and needs. Her teaching style is nurturing, detailed, and consultative, fostering an interactive and engaging learning environment where valuable knowledge is imparted effectively. Described as friendly, amiable, and jovial, she strives to maintain a positive atmosphere in the classroom, making every student feel welcome. Outside of teaching, she has an extensive background in the performing arts, having starred in theatrical school productions, storytelling competitions, and occasional singing performances. Her love for performing and making audiences laugh seamlessly ties into her passion for English and her commitment to inspiring students today.

Mr Olivier Tan firmly believes in the paramount importance of mastering the English language. A proud alumnus of his alma mater Hwa Chong Institution, he comprehends the significance of hard work in shaping one’s language foundation, driving him to excel in his English and develop a love for Literature. He followed his passion and graduated from the National University of Singapore with a degree in English Literature. Hardworking, dedicated and extraordinarily responsible, he is our youngest Head of a department for good reason, truly embodying the future-oriented direction of Academia and our belief in the unparalleled potential of millennials. Olivier is patient and affable, teaching his students to write in that quintessential English Lit style that is assured, elegant and elevated. His Literature curriculum provides our students with all the scaffolding they need to actually understand the subject in a systematic and logical manner. We know you will discover that his track record of supporting his students through all of their challenges make him extremely popular with students and parents.

Ms. Yaich Aisha is a passionate educator who graduated with Honours (Distinction) in English Literature from Nanyang Technological University. During her university years, she tutored students from Secondary to JC, in English, Literature, Social Studies, and the General Paper. Ms. Aisha also worked at the National Youth Council, where she coordinated youth leadership events, honing her ability to engage with and inspire young minds. In her final year of university, Ms. Aisha interned at Academia, and was given a return offer on the basis of her excellent performance.

Inspired by a teacher who helped her articulate her ideas coherently in secondary school, Ms. Aisha is devoted to imparting knowledge and watching her students develop confidence in their abilities. She believes that patience, an open mind, and a sense of humour are essential qualities of a good teacher. Her teaching style is creative, structured, nurturing, and clear, incorporating steady pacing, engaging visuals, and real-world examples to make lessons both effective and enjoyable. Known for her bubbly personality and knack for making people feel right at home, she creates a safe learning environment where students aren’t afraid to make mistakes. Outside the classroom, Ms. Aisha is a proud owner of four cats, a reflection of the nurturing nature that she brings into her teaching.