What we do
CfBT Brunei’s English Language Teaching contract with the Ministry of Education was awarded in 1985 with 15 teachers and has been expanding since. We currently deploy and manage 200 English specialists. By working in close collaboration with our key partner, the Brunei Ministry of Education, we deliver excellence in education to our key beneficiaries; the students of Brunei Darussalam.
Our aim is to raise the proficiency and attainment levels of Bruneian students through high impact teaching and learning, through targetted national support and intervention programmes, and through the continuous building of our own and local capacity across most primary and secondary schools and Sixth Form Colleges, in Brunei.
Our focus is to support and extend the quality of education by placing qualified, expert teachers in government schools to deliver innovative 21st century teaching, engaging students to become proficient English language speakers and dynamic learners.
We use data to design and deliver tailored intervention and student support programmes. We also support capacity building through formal and informal continuing professional development; from national and cluster workshops to school-based Professional Learning Communities.
Partnership with the Ministry of Education Brunei
CfBT is contracted by the Ministry of Education, Brunei Darussalam, to recruit and manage a workforce of 200 qualified and experienced primary and secondary specialist English teachers. Teachers from Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa and the UK, are posted to government schools across all districts in Brunei to work alongside Bruneian colleagues. CfBT teachers play a full and active role in Bruneian school life.
Brunei’s education system
Brunei has a bilingual education system in which students learn core and most other subjects in the medium of English, while their remaining subjects are taught in Bahasa Melayu (Malay language). English is taught in primary school from pre-school (Pra) to Year 6, following an additive bilingual language programme tailored specifically to Bruneian learners. The majority of our primary teachers work in early years. At secondary level, Bruneian students follow a national curriculum in Years 7-8 and progress to one of three streams; General, Applied or Special Applied (vocational), for upper secondary Years 9-11. Students in the General stream sit for the Brunei Cambridge O Level English examination at the end of Year 11 and students in the Applied stream sit for the Cambridge IGCSE ESL exam. In the vocational stream, students engage in a functional English language programme while enrolled in a specialised technical syllabus. Our secondary teachers work in all levels from Year 7 to Year 11 and across all academic streams. CfBT also has a small number of teachers who work in Sixth Form Centres where they may teach General Paper, Thinking Skills, O Level or IGCSE ESL.
Induction programme
On arrival, teachers participate in a two-week professional induction programme before officially starting in their schools. The induction programme ensures that all teachers are fully prepared to take up their professional roles and responsibilities, and further, provides assistance with immigration, banking, driving, housing and telecommunications.
For more information on the support we provide upon your arrival, click here
How is your perfomance measured?
We work closely with our partner, the Ministry of Education, on strategic and best-fit placement of our teachers to ensure successful placements. Once in post, CfBT teachers work alongside their colleagues on a day-to-day basis and report to their Heads of Department and school principals, however, all our teachers are line-managed by CfBT Education Project Managers (EPMs) who provide wide ranging professional support through formal and informal school visits, discussions and feedback. Our performance management systems are robust, supportive and ensure continuing professional growth through learning, leading and development opportunities. We are committed to ensuring success.
Q&A’s with CfBT teachers
Derek Fleming
I live in a very remote area and really enjoy the peace and beauty. I also like the people here who are uniformly friendly, polite and welcoming.
Helen D'Bouk
It’s a relaxing place within a beautiful natural environment: the greenery, vegetation, jungle, rivers and sea.
Tania Jo Murphy
Everything! I first came to Brunei for what I was convinced would be a “2 year experience”, but even after 18 years I have no intention of leaving anytime soon.
Tracy Wilson
The people, the food, the lifestyle. The people are friendly and accommodating, they are just as curious about your culture as you are of theirs.
Trevor Clements
The people are polite and friendly. It is a relaxed pace of life surrounded by beautiful tropical nature.
Resources
Address
Block D, Unit 5 & 6, Kiarong Complex
Lebuhraya Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah
Bandar Seri Begawan BE1318