English Language & GP Tuition Centre Singapore
THE CROSSWARD PUZZLE
Crossward began with a belief. A belief that life has to be purposefully and passionately lived. A belief that education must set in motion a journey that uncovers Passions and establishes Purpose, in order for our youth of today to rise up to be effective leaders of tomorrow.
Over the years, our Co-founder Darrell has taught and journeyed with hundreds of youths – secondary students, Junior College students and beyond. Going past the immediate realizations of academic success, many of his students have gone on to navigate their journeys with a greater sense of mindfulness and a stronger sense of purpose.
Tuition centres in Singapore take pride in their results.Ā
At Crossward, we are not just another tuition centre. We take delight in the As that our students attain, but we find our greatest joy in the purpose-driven lives that they lead. Through our belief in them, Crossward is where young lives will be empowered, so that their influence may in turn be multiplied.
Key Features of the Crossward Curriculum
Mastering the School Syllabus
Weekly lessons are crafted with the school syllabus in mind, helping students achieve mastery over skills & techniques needed to ace their exams. Our Curriculum Board includes former school teachers familiar with the syllabus changes.
Tested and Proven Methodology
Over the years, our qualified teachers have developed rigorous conceptual & analytical frameworks, helping students achieve their desired results.
Innovative teaching methods & Safe learning environment
Gone are the days facing the textbook or a worksheet. Innovative teaching methods and curated learning materials for weekly lessons ensure that students love the learning process. Extra learning resources, teaching materials & extra revision sessions by our professional and specialized tutors are available too.
Critical thinking & Essential life skills
Besides the academic creative writing, argumentative essays... What our Secondary and JC students take into their adult years are going to be the critical thinking & soft skills. Students develop the analytical skills required to break issues down to their cores and make their own informed analyses & perspectives.
CROSSWARD TEACHERS
Darrell Tan
Co-founder / Director
A former school teacher with more than 10 years of experience in the Education industry including senior teaching positions at various tuition centres in Singapore, Darrell is a strong advocate of empowering youth through their linguistic and socio-emotional competencies. He encourages students to find their personal voice in all that they do ā in the past year alone, more than 30 of his studentsā letters have been published in The Straits Timesā Forum pages. He is also an adjunct lecturer at Singapore Polytechnic where he teaches communications and critical thinking. Darrell publishes short comprehensive learning videos over at his TikTok account @verbaldarrell.
I believe that he who has a purpose can bear almost any process.
Young people are rarely taught how to search for purpose, much less live for one. For that reason, many struggle with the process of education, especially the idea of tuition classes.
I did.
For years as a student in some of the top educational institutions in Singapore, I struggled to find meaning in what I did day after day. I remember being disillusioned with life, not to mention, school.
I especially enjoyed English and Literature. I found myself doing exceptionally well for these two subjects. Through reading, I travelled the world; through writing, I expressed my deepest thoughts and emotions.
Now, as an educator, mentor and friend, I have the privilege to journey with youths whoāre going through the same ā if not more challenging ā process of life and education. Through weekly lessons and conversations with them, I observe them gaining confidence to navigate this difficult journey with a little more joy, and a little less disillusionment.
In my many years as an educator, Iāve seen how powerful it is when students learn to articulate their ideas, opinions and deep emotions. Iāve seen convictions forming and confidence arising in youths as they are increasingly able to understand and evaluate perspectives.
The by-product is good academic results. I have seen this in countless cases. But the intended outcome is a purpose-driven young person whoās ready to love and lead.
My dream for young people is for them to find Purpose and live their lives with Passion.
My desire is that at CROSSWARD, they will be equipped and empowered to do just that.
Joy Soh
Co-founder / Curriculum Specialist
Joy holds degrees in both Economics and Law, and is a trained educator and Curriculum Writer for Secondary School students. She is also a trainer for the Straits Times English Class (Secondary School Edition). Crossward embodies some of her deepest passions.
I teach because ā¦
It is a platform of influence.
For 2 whole hours every week, I have a captive audience of 10-12 students in each class. For 120 minutes, they sit in front of me and listen as I speak. For 120 minutes, I am uniquely positioned to educate their minds and influence their thoughts.
There is so much I can do in the time that I have with them to set in motion the change I would like to see in this world ā it is a responsibility I take very seriously and a privilege I cherish tremendously.
I hope that my students ā¦.
Will always possess the maturity to lend weight to views that differ from their own. In a world where everything is increasingly centered on what āIā think and how āIā feel, I have found that it hardly ever strikes youths (and adults for that matter) that a person who has a different opinion could be perfectly reasonable as well. The ability to intuitively consider someone elseās point of view is one of the most critical facilities I hope to imbue in them.
This is important not merely from an academic or intellectual standpoint, but also from a relational standpoint. It is my desire to nurture individuals who can look beyond their own vantage points, and learn to see and feel for someone elseās perspective. When we do so, judgement fades and empathy invariably follows.
I believe ā¦
In the power of words. As a language teacher, I want to use my words to communicate my belief in my students to empower them. Too many youths these days are consumed by self-doubt, and I hope my words can unlock their prison of insecurity and release them into the freedom of confidence.
tform of influence.
For 2 whole hours every week, I have a captive audience of 10-12 students in each class. For 120 minutes, they sit in front of me and listen as I speak. For 120 minutes, I am uniquely positioned to educate their minds and influence their thoughts.
There is so much I can do in the time that I have with them to set in motion the change I would like to see in this world – it is a responsibility I take very seriously and a privilege I cherish tremendously.
I hope that my students ā¦.
Will always possess the maturity to lend weight to views that differ from their own. In a world where everything is increasingly centered on what āIā think and how āIā feel, I have found that it hardly ever strikes youths (and adults for that matter) that a person who has a different opinion could be perfectly reasonable as well. The ability to intuitively consider someone elseās point of view is one of the most critical facilities I hope to imbue in them.
This is important not merely from an academic or intellectual standpoint, but also from a relational standpoint. It is my desire to nurture individuals who can look beyond their own vantage points, and learn to see and feel for someone elseās perspective. When we do so, judgement fades and empathy invariably follows.
I believe ā¦
In the power of words. As a language teacher, I want to use my words to communicate my belief in my students to empower them. Too many youths these days are consumed by self-doubt, and I hope my words can unlock their prison of insecurity and release them into the freedom of confidence.
THE CROSSWARD SOLUTION
Our Objectives
Acing Your Exams
We will equip you with the necessary critical thinking and communication skills for academic excellence (English language (O level); Language Arts (IP/IB); General Paper) and future success.
Personal Development & Excellence
We will journey with you as you sharpen your socio-emotional competencies and learn to overcome emotional and mental barriers to achieve your greatest potential for excellence. These competencies are essential for you to make sense of the world around you, and the world within you.
OUR PROGRAMMES
CROSSWARD PROGRAMMES
Lower Secondary
English & Arts Programme
A Fusion of English, Current Affairs, and Literature for Lower Secondary students, helping students gain and establish a solid foundation for not just their final papers, but for the next few years of education.
Upper Secondary
English & Mentorship Programme (IP/IB)
For Secondary students seeking a strong foundation for General Paper (A Level) or Communication Studies (Polytechnic). A stronger emphasis will be placed on Critical Thinking & developing the students' soft skills.
Upper Secondary
English, Current Affairs & Critical Thinking Programme (O Level)
Helping Students Think Critically - A comprehensive programme with a tested and proven methodology. Students will be equipped with the necessary skills to tackle the O Levels through regular weekly lessons.
Junior College
Current Affairs and Critical Thinking Programme (A level)
Making Sense of Global Complexities - Students will be extensively exposed to Current Affairs & Global Issues. Emphasis is placed on developing the ability to make sense of information, form perspectives & efficient communication.
|  |  | |
Lower Secondary English Language Programme | Upper Secondary English Language Programme (IP/IB) | Upper Secondary English Language Programme (O Level) | JC General Paper (GP) Programme |
| A Fusion of English, Current Affairs, and Literature for Lower Secondary students, helping students gain and establish a solid foundation for not just their final papers, but for the next few years of education. | For Secondary students seeking a strong foundation for General Paper (A Level) or Communication Studies (Polytechnic). A stronger emphasis will be placed on Critical Thinking & developing the students' soft skills. | Helping Students Think Critically - A comprehensive programme with a tested and proven methodology. Students will be equipped with the necessary skills to tackle the O Levels through regular weekly lessons. | Making Sense of Global Complexities - Students will be extensively exposed to Current Affairs & Global Issues. Emphasis is placed on developing the ability to make sense of information, form perspectives & efficient communication. |
| Learn More | Learn More | Learn More | Learn More |
Unsure if Crossward is the right Tuition Centre for you?
Our 2021 Results:Ā
Lower Secondary Students O Level English:Ā 75% Distinctions
Upper Secondary Students O Level English:Ā 75% Distinctions
JC A Level General Paper:Ā 78% As & Bs
FEATURED IN
Thoughts from our Youths
Lee-On | Chief Strategy Officer of Airbloc
STRAIGHT AS AT A LEVELS
RECIPIENT OF NUS GLOBAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP
Ā
A teacher. A coach. A mentor.
What comes to mind when you see these words? It is very likely that you would think of 2 or 3 separate individuals.
A teacher focuses on helping their students to learn, practice and hone their skills so that they can prepare for a smooth journey ahead.
A coach brings it one level higher and guides their students actively while they are on their journey.
A mentor focuses less on skills, and more on their students’ inner motivation, personal values and emotional balance so that they can find the RIGHT direction for their journey and sustain themselves independently even when the journey is tough.
In my years as a student in school Iāve come across many teachers, but none of them were able to be a good mentor and coach at the same time. Let alone excel in all 3 roles simultaneously.
It is rare to come across a teacher like Darrell who naturally excels in the role of a coach and a mentor.
In times when I faced difficulties in my studies, Darrell was there for me.
In times when I was emotionally distressed, Darrell was there for me.
In times when I lacked motivation and drive, Darrell was there for me.
What differentiates Darrell from the rest is his relentless dedication to nurture and develop his students to their fullest potential even if it means going beyond his responsibilities as a teacher.
Darrell is not just my teacher.
He is my teacher, my coach, and my mentor.
Ā
Man Wei | Undergraduate NTU BA Art, Design and Media
EX-HCI STUDENT
STRAIGHT AS AT A LEVELS
They say teachers have far-reaching influences on their students and it’s true. My GP tuition teacher is one of the people who’ve had, surprisingly, the most significant influence on me. This probably comes as a surprise since you don’t usually hear such things being said of teachers in our billion-dollar tuition industry.
Typical GP tuition classes tend to reinforce a routine of rote-learning and many students who attend them only go for the extra notes and compiled newspaper articles. It was precisely this impression that made me reluctant to go for Darrellās class at first, but persuaded otherwise by my sister that things were different in his class, I tried things out for a month. And she was right about his classāhimābeing different. Rather than a GP class it was more like a class on life. This was also how I āadvertisedā it to others who asked for tuition recommendations; whether that turned them off or not because they were just looking for tutors who merely distributed handouts was another thing.
Darrell fed his students a lot of informationāas all other GP tutors didābut the type of information and way he delivered it was different. He didn’t dump stacks of compiled news articles and āmodel essaysā onto us. He told stories. Personal, intimate stories from his own, and others’ life experiences. From there he opened my world to a whole range of perspectives. He got to the heart of hidden, less talked about sides of Singapore: income inequality, depression and suicide, underground circles addicted to pornography and sex, political exiles etc. He gave these people and issues a face and brought out the heart of the matter. He also gave me insight into the life of an adultāwhich I as a teen was about to enter, yet was completely sheltered from and ignorant about.
Time and again in his classes I was confronted and ashamed by my ignorance. I had always been rather close-minded and fixated on my own perspectives, whether intentionally or not. I never had much exposure to people from walks of life outside my own isolated circle. Darrell challenged me to see things from perspectives besides my own and made me more reflective of my position and responsibilities in relation to others as a daughter, student and Singaporean.
Darrell played a large part in making me the bloodthirsty story collector I am today. Behind my obsession with meeting and learning about new people, is my encounter with a storyteller (who was foremost a storyteller himself).
Ā
Lee Jing HanĀ
SECONDARY 1
Joy’s lessons are really inspiring with all the quotes she starts the lessons with. She always tells us that we can talk to her as a friend. She provides us with knowledge that is useful both in and out of a classroom, and helps us to know more about the world we are living in. She teaches us with enthusiasm and encourages us to think out of the box, arming us with a specific skill set needed to survive the ever changing world with all its technological advances. If we do not understand anything, she would sacrifice her free time and her time with her family just to stay back and teach us until we understand whatever we did not understand at first. She teaches with a passion I do not see in most teachers.
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Mrs Michelle Lee
PARENT
Both my children have been taught by Joy who is an encouraging and helpful teacher. Both of them looked forward and were enthusiastic to attend her lessons even though their classes were on Saturday mornings. Both had no complaints about waking up early. That was a sign of an engaging teacher at work.
Sometimes, my older child had issues with her school work, she would text Ms Joy for help and Joy would help her out. She told her Brother, āMs Joy is a very good teacher, do pay attention in class.ā
My younger child who is more active and has problems focusing in school enjoys Joyās lessons. He is engaged and most importantly encouraged by Joy during her classes. He has improved for his End-of-Year exam after attending Joyās lessons for less than a year. We are very blessed and glad that we have crossed path with Joy who is a positive and encouraging teacher!
Ā
Kai Wen
SECONDARY 4 | SPH ENGLISH MASTERCLASS STUDENT
Joy is a patient and caring teacher. She cares for all her students and knows each of their strengths and weaknesses. Besides teaching us English, she also teaches us skills and lessons that we can apply in our daily lives. Under her guidance, my English language has improved from a B4 to an A2 within a year. She inspires me to always give my best and never give up!