Foundational Academic English (FAE) Program

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Online English Preparation for Grades 6-10

The Foundational Academic English (FAE) program is an online English language course for students seeking enrollment at Stamford American International School. The program supports students who have not yet met the required English proficiency level on the SLATE test, building the academic English foundation needed to progress to the on-campus Preparatory Course for Secondary School (PCS) and, ultimately, mainstream classes at Stamford American.

The curriculum covers four subject areas – English Language Acquisition (ELA), Mathematics, Science, and Humanities – aligned to Stamford American’s IB inquiry-based learning approach.

*Attendance is compulsory for all registered FAE students and a requirement for PCS consideration.

Program at a Glance

What’s Included	Teacher-Guided
Round-the-clock access to learning site and content	✓
Flexibility to work around existing schooling schedules	✓
Quizzes and interactive video content to gauge learning	✓
SLATE test upon completion of course	✓
One-on-one onboarding with teacher	✓
Synchronous group learning with other students	✓

Your Pathway to Stamford American

The FAE program is the first step on a structured pathway into Stamford American. Each stage is designed to build on the last, so students develop the skills and confidence they need before moving forward.

Step	Stage	What Happens
1	SLATE Test	Students complete the SLATE English proficiency assessment as part of the admissions process.
2	FAE Program	Students who have not yet reached the required SLATE score enroll in the 10-week online FAE program to build their academic English skills.
3	SLATE Retest	At the end of the program, students retake the SLATE test to demonstrate their progress.
4	PCS Program	Students who meet the Slate score at the end of the block and the learning requirements may be considered for entry into the Preparatory Course for Secondary School (PCS), a full-time on-campus program.
5	Mainstream	After completing PCS, students join mainstream classes at Stamford American.

Learn more about the PCS program.

How the Program Works

Format

FAE is an online, teacher-guided e-learning course. Students attend live classes and complete interactive activities each week, receiving individual feedback from their teacher. The curriculum is aligned to Stamford American’s IB inquiry-based learning approach, covering English Language Acquisition (ELA), Mathematics, Science, and Humanities.

New content is released weekly as students progress through the material. Students set SMART goals at the start of each block and manage their own pacing through the content. They can track their progress in the learning platform and receive a weekly progress report.

Schedule

Classes are held three times per week (3 hours total):

Tuesday evenings
Thursday evenings
Saturday mornings

Students attend a total of 3 hours across 3 sessions per week. This schedule allows students to participate alongside their regular schooling in their home country.

Program Duration

Each program block runs for 10 weeks. Students who do not achieve the required SLATE score at the end of one block can enroll in an additional session to continue building their skills.

Assessment

Students complete a SLATE test at the start and end of each 10-week block. The entry test establishes a baseline and informs individual learning goals. The exit test determines whether the student has reached the proficiency level required to progress to the PCS program.

Slate test results, full participation in the FAE program, and full completion of the asynchronous learning are then discussed with the PCS Principal before students are considered for enrollment in PCS.

What Students Gain

Small class environment with personalized attention from an experienced, qualified teacher
Weekly progress updates sent to families, highlighting areas of strength and focus areas
Teacher support beyond the classroom – students can reach their teacher via Microsoft Teams outside of class time
Interactive activities each week with timely, individual feedback to develop language skills
Confidence in English communication – students are supported to develop fluency and the confidence to express themselves
Preparation for international education – the program introduces the expectations of an international school environment
Early connections – students meet future classmates during FAE, helping ease the transition to Stamford American and to Singapore
Student wellbeing support – teachers check in on each student’s social and emotional wellbeing, not just academic progress
Full access to all learning resources outside of class, including recorded video lessons and interactive assignments

Meet Your Teacher

Natasha Stacey
Master of Applied Linguistics, specializing in TESOL

Originally from Australia, Natasha has taught language learners in international schools across Asia for over ten years. Her career has focused on teaching learners from diverse backgrounds and varying English proficiency levels, with an emphasis on practical academic language skills, cultural understanding, and real-world connections.

Natasha was involved in the development and implementation of the PCS program at Stamford American and taught on campus for four years before transitioning to lead the FAE program. Her firsthand experience with PCS allows her to prepare FAE students with a clear understanding of what comes next.

Natasha’s online classes are interactive, student-centered, and designed to make language learning both effective and enjoyable.

Program Dates

Academic Year 2025-2026

Block	Dates
Summer Program Block A	May 4 – July 12, 2026

Academic Year 2026-2027

Block	Dates
Semester 1, Block A	July 27 – October 4, 2026
Semester 1, Block B	October 5 – December 20, 2026
Semester 2, Block A	January 11 – March 21, 2027
Semester 2, Block B	March 22 – June 6, 2027

Please Note: All classes will be held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, as well as Saturday mornings.

Students and parents should inform teachers in advance if they are unable to attend class. A video recording will be provided for students to catch up.

FAE Program Fees

Fees 2025-2026

Fee	Amount (SGD)
Application Fee (one-time, non-refundable)	$130
Tuition Fee (per 10-week session)	$3,970

Fees 2026-2027

Fee	Amount (SGD)
Application Fee (one-time, non-refundable)	$140
Tuition Fee (per 10-week session)	$4,110

All charges are expressed in Singapore Dollars (SGD), including GST of 9%.

Program Brochure

Foundational Academic English Program brochure

Download

Ready to Begin?

Contact our admissions team to learn more about the FAE program or to begin the application process.

Phone: +65 6653 2949
Email: admissions@sais.edu.sg
WhatsApp is also available.

Apply Now

FAE Frequently Asked Questions

When are the learning block intakes?

The FAE program operates on a semester-based schedule with multiple intake points throughout the academic year. For the 2026-2027 academic year, intakes begin in July, October, January, and March. A summer program is also available.

When are the FAE lessons?

Classes are held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings – a total of 3 hours across 3 sessions per week.

How many hours per week are classes?

Students attend three live sessions per week, totaling three hours of instruction. Additional time is spent on interactive activities completed between classes, with individual feedback provided by the teacher.

What technology do students need?

Students need a computer with a reliable internet connection and video call capabilities. Classes are conducted online.

When do students take the SLATE test?

Students complete a SLATE test at the beginning and end of each 10-week program block. The entry test establishes a baseline and informs individual learning goals. Progression to PCS is based on three components: the SLATE test result, full participation in the program, and full completion of the asynchronous learning. Performance is then discussed with the PCS principal before students are considered for enrollment in PCS.

What are the graduation requirements?

Students must achieve the required SLATE proficiency score on the exit test at the end of the 10-week program to graduate from FAE

Can students take two blocks?

Yes. Students who have not yet met the requirements at the end of one 10-week block can enroll in an additional block to continue developing their skills.

How many students in each class?

Classes are kept small to ensure each student receives personalized attention and support from their teacher.

What communication do parents receive?

Families receive detailed weekly progress updates from the teacher, covering areas of strength and areas to focus on.

How can students and families reach out for help?

Students and families can contact their teacher directly through Microsoft Teams outside of class hours. For admissions or program inquiries, contact the SAIS admissions team at admissions@sais.edu.sg or +65 6653 2949.

What is the attendance requirement?

Attendance is compulsory for all registered FAE students and a requirement for PCS consideration. Students and parents must inform teachers in advance of any absence. Video recordings of all classes are provided so students can review missed sessions.

Certification

Upon completion of the Foundational Academic English Program, students receive a certificate from Stamford American International School Pte Ltd, a registered private education institution with SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG).

Browse the SSG Approved Course Names