About Swimming Teachers Academy

Swimming Teachers Academy (STA) runs swimming instructor courses in Singapore. We train people who want to teach swimming – most of them new to teaching – through SSI (Swim Schools International) swim-teacher pathways and a separate Swim2u in-house instructor course. This page explains who we are, how the training actually runs, and what we can and cannot promise, so you know exactly who you are dealing with before you pay.

Quick facts

Our connection with Swim2u Swim School

STA works alongside Swim2u Swim School. The in-house instructor course teaches Swim2u’s own lesson approach, and graduates who meet the requirements may ask for an interview for part-time lesson assignments with the affiliated swim school. That interview is optional and a lesson assignment is not guaranteed – it depends on your assessment, suitability, the areas and times you can teach, and whether there are learners waiting.

This website also lists swimming lessons for toddlers, kids, adults, ladies and learners with special needs. If you want to learn to swim rather than learn to teach, start with those pages.

SSI and STA are not the same organisation

SSI (Swim Schools International) sets the swim-teacher training standards and issues SSI certifications. STA runs courses in Singapore that lead to those certifications once you meet every training and assessment requirement. SSI publishes its standards in the SSI Swim Training Standards and Procedures. The Swim2u in-house course is a separate pathway and is not an SSI certification.

How our training works

This is the sequence for the core pathway (SSI Level 1 & 2 + React Right), based on our current registration form and course pages:

1. Check you qualify. Minimum age 16, able to swim at least two strokes, and able to communicate clearly with swimmers. Adult and Baby specialist courses need age 18 and completed Level 1, Level 2 and React Right.
2. Register and pick dates. Choose one date for each session on the course registration form, then pay online. We email your course confirmation within three days of successful registration and payment.
3. Theory session (2 hours). Tuesday evening, 7:30–9:30pm: swimming fundamentals, lesson planning, feedback to swimmers and parents.
4. Pool session (2 hours). Wednesday evening: water familiarisation and safety, breaststroke and freestyle teaching, demonstrations and common corrections.
5. React Right – CPR & AED (2 hours). Tuesday evening. You may skip this session if you hold a valid CPR & AED certification and can show proof.
6. Additional pool session (2 hours). Thursday evening, scheduled after your first pool session.
7. Ten supervised attachments. You join real lessons under a mentor, practising delivery, positioning, communication and safety routines.
8. Assessment. You must demonstrate the teaching and swimming competencies for your pathway. Attendance alone does not earn the certificate.
9. Certification. Successful candidates receive the SSI Swim Teacher certification for the level completed (or the in-house certificate for the in-house course), plus React Right if included.

The core pathway (course, attachments and assessment) must be completed within six months of payment. Adult and Baby specialist courses must be completed within one year. Full conditions are on our Terms & Conditions page.

Our teaching approach

We teach a progression of skills with water safety and correct stroke technique at the centre. Core skills come before harder ones, and technique is practised correctly over a short distance before distance is increased. The reason is practical: a learner who swims 25 metres badly, over and over, is rehearsing the fault. Five good metres, repeated, builds the habit you actually want. Trainee instructors are taught to plan lessons this way and to explain why to parents who ask for “more laps”.

What we do not promise

• No guaranteed job, income or lesson assignment. Career guidance and an optional interview may be available; assignments depend on suitability and availability.
• No guaranteed certificate. Certification depends on passing the assessment for your pathway.
• No guaranteed overseas recognition. Whether an SSI qualification lets you teach in another country depends on that country’s rules, employers and venues.
• No “drown-proof” claims. Swimming lessons build water competence and reduce risk. They do not replace active supervision.

How we write and review the content on this site

Articles and guides on this site are prepared by Alvin for Swimming Teachers Academy. Every page we publish or revise is checked against these questions:

1. Who is this page helping, and what question does it answer?
2. Do fees, prerequisites, schedules and terms match the current course pages and registration form?
3. Are safety points kept within a swimming instructor’s scope, with medical questions referred to qualified professionals?
4. Are outside facts linked to the primary source (for example SSI standards, Singapore government or PDPC pages)?
5. Are there any claims we cannot back up – “best”, “guaranteed”, invented results or testimonials? If so, they are removed.
6. Does it show a named author and a real “last updated” date? We only change that date when the content has actually been reviewed.

Spotted an error or an outdated fee? Email info@swimminginstructorcourse.sg and we will check and correct it.

Frequently asked questions about Swimming Teachers Academy

Prepared by Alvin, Swimming Teachers Academy. Last reviewed: 30 September 2026.