Shadowing Practice: How Much Do Foreigners in Singapore Earn? | Street Interview - Learn English Speaking with Video
Kies een oefenmodus
Elke modus opent een volledig scherm oefenruimte.
329 zinnen
Als zinnen te kort of te lang zijn, klik op Bewerken om ze aan te passen.
1
What's your current job here in Singapore?
2
I work in reinsurance.
3
Okay, and do you mind asking me asking how much you make around a month here? like five figures, I guess.
4
Okay, so five figures in one month.
5
Yes Yeah.
6
About $10 ,000 a month?
7
A bit higher than that.
8
And what is your current job here in Singapore?
9
Domestic helper.
10
Yeah.
11
And can I ask you how much you make a month as a domestic helper in Singapore?
12
950 a month Yeah, plus another food allowance. So...
13
200 per month.
14
Thank you.
15
Currently I'm unemployed.
16
Uh...
17
- Thank you.
18
because of some layoff.
19
But I was a software engineer in an AI company.
20
So in your previous job as a software engineer, could you tell us roughly how much you made a month?
21
uh...
22
Yeah, I was making a 8 .6K...
23
I'm 13 months.
24
Okay, so 8 .6 K Singapore dollars in one month, yes?
25
I'm a software engineer.
26
I will give him the financing.
27
around 250 -300 So I alternate between here and California and I teach.
28
I teach at NTU.
29
And Would you mind sharing how much you make currently per month?
30
- Roughly, if we were to say, would it be more than $5 ,000?
31
- Oh yes sir.
32
More than $10 ,000?
33
Yes.
34
And do you think you would earn more or less in the same position from your home country compared to Singapore.
35
I'm more in the home country.
36
country.
37
I work in oil and gas.
38
trading, oil and gas trading.
39
So do you think you would earn more or less in the same position in the United States?
40
Uh, well, uh...
41
That's a difficult question because probably I might earn more but then after taxes and everything,
42
probably It's difficult to say because Expenses are more here in Singapore stuff so I don't know, it'll probably break even.
43
And what is your job in Singapore?
44
Domestic helper.
45
And can I ask you roughly how much you make per month?
46
Yeah, how much your salary is per month?
47
800 Would you say that is higher or lower than the average?
48
It's normal.
49
Yeah, it's normal.
50
I see. And, uh...
51
You know...
52
Singapore is considered one of the most expensive cities in the world.
53
I'm curious What are some things that are expensive here in Singapore?
54
Everything is very expensive here.
55
How much does a meal cost in Singapore?
56
eating meal?
57
Just eat the alarm.
58
- Pink color.
59
But in Philippines, how much?
60
And Philippines just only 30 pesos.
61
30 pesos is below $1 It's a big difference.
62
And what is your current job here in Singapore?
63
I'm the managing director of a British American firm and we manufacture office accessories.
64
in China and we sell throughout Asia.
65
And can I ask how much you make around a month?
66
Roughly, if I was to give a range.
67
No, it was not.
68
Okay.
69
Do you think you would earn more or less? here in Singapore versus in Germany?
70
Not at all.
71
But living in Singapore was a choice.
72
I've based my choice on my experience when I lived here from 1996 three tools.
73
policy.
74
in a similar job but different pumps.
75
and I find quality of life.
76
so much higher here than in any other country where I've lived.
77
And when I talk about other countries, I'm talking about Asia.
78
Middle East.
79
and drifting southern so I have lived certain places already in my life.
80
Singapore is doing a great job quality of even though the cost of
81
Do you think you would earn more or less in the same position back in Australia?
82
Probably similar.
83
Yeah.
84
If it's similar, why did you choose kind of Singapore to work here?
85
Yeah, I would say it's Like firstly the sunshine makes me pretty happy,
86
international lifestyle and I guess ability to like travel and see other cultures.
87
Where are some places that you like to travel here in this region?
88
Yeah, I love all Southeast Asia, like, you know, obviously Bali.
89
And I guess like Bali, Thailand, even the Philippines sometimes.
90
I do some diving.
91
well. So, yeah.
92
Cool.
93
And do you feel like your salary is enough? to cover your living expenses here in Singapore as a foreigner?
94
It is, but the rent is very expensive.
95
How much do you have to pay for rent here in Singapore?
96
I...
97
I would say I spend like over 30 % of my money of my salary on rent.
98
Do you feel like your salary is enough for your life right now in Singapore?
99
Actually it's not enough.
100
Yeah because I got two kids and I need to support my mother also.
101
And some I give to my sister because she's actually she's got cancer now.
102
So I need to.
103
So now it's not enough.
104
900 is not enough.
105
Yeah.
106
And can you tell me about how much money you send? back home to the Philippines.
107
Actually, I can send all... About 800?
108
100 is for my allowance Yes.
109
And with that $100, what can you spend on here in Singapore?
110
I spent in Singapore sometimes I feel like eating this So I need to buy.
111
Do you feel like your salary is enough to cover your living expenses right now?
112
You kind of mentioned that Singapore can be expensive.
113
Yeah, well, I mean, with with with the kid and everything, I mean, my wife, my wife,
114
works and everything as well so I think with that with the schooling coming up rental.
115
everything.
116
Not to say we don't live comfortably, but it's nice to have a two salaries and that's really kind of what makes life livable.
117
HERE.
118
Do you feel like your current salary is enough to cover and sustain a life here in Singapore?
119
It's workable.
120
But, you know, I mean, over the years, things have gotten fairly expensive.
121
What specifically?
122
What?
123
everything really.
124
Right.
125
I mean, when you talk about inflation, It's hit you know, all kinds of goods and services. that.
126
Everybody is correspondingly raising the prices on everything as well.
127
THERE WAS THAT WHOLE PERIOD OF TIME WHERE RENT WENT THROUGH THE ROOF.
128
right?
129
I think it's coming down again, but as always, When the rent gets one of those major adjustments, it never goes back down to the original level.
130
So you're dealing with a number of challenges in that respect.
131
Do you feel like with your current salary, it's enough?
132
Yeah, actually it's enough, but sometimes, since I have three colleges,
133
I have three kids and they are all in college so maybe I have to earn more.
134
So sometimes I have to borrow money in Philippines
135
because here in Singapore we're not allowed to borrow money here because it's not allowed in the government.
136
So what we do is in Philippines we have to borrow money
137
and then we can just pay slowly slowly for our salary here.
138
Well after COVID the hike of the price of uh,
139
Actually much more, but...
140
- Uh...
141
Yeah, I guess it was a bit everywhere.
142
In a world like this, I don't I don't I don't really know the market in France now,
143
Over the last year of the rents, uh, came a little high, but It was the
144
It wasn't a big problem as It was certainly way higher than what when I came to Singapore.
145
And then like it increased by 40 50 percent so that was A little.
146
hard to take but it's fine.
147
Now they're cooling down so Yeah.
148
And so when you first arrived to Singapore, how much was your rent?
149
When I was first to die, it was 5k a month.
150
and then during the increase uh...
151
Like the same apartment in my condo started going for seven.
152
Certainly by 40%.
153
But now, Like my renewal is coming up so I'm hoping I would renew for the team.
154
price But because Singapore is considered one of the most expensive places to live.
155
in Asia, but also in the world.
156
Could you give us some insights of what aspects makes it so expensive to live here in Singapore?
157
Yes, the alcohol is taxed heavily.
158
First.
159
Eating in a restaurant can get quite pricey.
160
taxi bills can pile up.
161
And what about your rent here in Singapore?
162
Is that also quite expensive?
163
It's quite high.
164
on the order of 6 ,000 a month.
165
And would you say that is more or less compared to the United States?
166
comparable to where I live in California.
167
I mean, mainly it's the rent.
168
Um, And well, I mean, and to be honest with you, if you want to you know, having a social life can be a little bit expensive,
169
you know, if you want to If you're planning to go out on weekends, stuff like that.
170
Um, you know, the alcohol isn't cheap here.
171
So, I mean, I would say nothing, nothing out of the ordinary, just kind of day to day life.
172
But that said, I mean, all that said, I mean, we're talking about expenses.
173
I mean, you can have a cheap life.
174
Singapore you know, Um, you know, food here delicious and you don't have to go to the expensive options by any means.
175
Um...
176
I mean, one of the benefits of living here that's relatively cheap is actually you can fly out, you know, go to Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Bali.
177
all you want for relatively, you know, a few hundred dollars a flight ticket,
178
Do you think that your salary is enough to cover your expenses in Singapore?
179
Yes, it's very enough.
180
Have you ever had some financial issues while living in Singapore?
181
No, no I never So good for five years.
182
-Yes.
183
And I'm curious, how much money do you think you have to make in salary?
184
to have no worries.
185
How much salary you need to have no worries.
186
living in singapore $1 ,000 a month?
187
Yes.
188
How much do you think you'd have to earn?
189
Is there like a magic number that would be kind of a worry -free salary here in Singapore?
190
Okay, like...
191
I have a whole philosophy there, which is probably too boring for your channel, but I think it's got to be about passive income, not about salaries.
192
So, I would say like, you know, if I had A few million dollars.
193
then I'd be you know, pretty stress free.
194
I think as long as you're working for your salary, you're always going to have some
195
And do you think it is possible in Singapore to have this kind of like passive income of like, you know, getting this like million dollar here in Singapore.
196
Yeah, I think it is, but it's like just a lot of work and obviously for Singaporeans, it's a lot of work,
197
well right trying to save money and and reduce how much you spend So it might take like, I don't know how many decades, long term goals.
198
So what kind of salary would be completely worry -free? here in Singapore.
199
I think...
200
I know 900 or 900 more than that.
201
So right now, would you say it's pretty comfortable?
202
For me, for now, it's pretty comfortable, yeah.
203
Do you send money back home then?
204
How much do you send?
205
I send like, almost like 30 ,000 pesos.
206
Okay.
207
Yeah.
208
Roughly how much is that?
209
900. Yeah, so most of your money you actually Yeah,
210
most of my money most of my salary so I have to keep saving
211
So what I've saved now is my food allowance.
212
Yeah, I see.
213
How much do you think you would need to make in Singapore in order to have like a worry -free like lifestyle.
214
That's a good question.
215
It depends on if you have government subsidies, so if you are a foreigner living here.
216
comfortable lifestyle would be on the minimum of 10 grand.
217
A month.
218
I don't know, like a million dollars.
219
So one million dollars, yeah?
220
So do you think that is actually possible to make a million dollars as a salary here in Singapore as a foreigner?
221
Yeah, I think it's very possible if you work hard, there are enough opportunities to make that kind of work.
222
I have no idea.
223
- Yeah.
224
I haven't given that any thought.
225
Any number comes to mind?
226
I don't know.
227
I mean...
228
Obviously it's one of those situations where the sky's the limit.
229
Right.
230
I mean, you can talk to the richest people in the world, and they'll probably still say, "Oh, I wish that we're making more." So...
231
What are some of the biggest advantages of working here in Singapore as a foreigner?
232
I don't know if I would fully consider myself a foreigner at this point anyway, being a PR.
233
I mean, for me, it's a very, It's a very advanced country.
234
The schooling here is very good.
235
local school.
236
Um, It's very connected internationally.
237
I mean, if you look at it from the perspective of someone that's lived in various countries,
238
here in Singapore because everything is imported you can get goods from pretty much all over the place and it's functionally equivalent.
239
to the point where
240
There's stuff that we would have been used to getting in Europe
241
that we're able to get here that we wouldn't have been able to get in the U .S very easily.
242
And here it's just like a normal item in cold storage or something like that.
243
So from that perspective, It's quite nice, it's very international.
244
you know, I think the weather is really great to Farron is.
245
I think the travel options are amazing.
246
- I think The tax is good as well.
247
So I think that's also a positive, but I think it shouldn't be the main reason.
248
So actually I've lived in Hong Kong and Japan previously.
249
I would say Singapore is bike one of the easiest places to live outside of Australia that I've ever found.
250
What makes it a lot easier compared to Hong Kong and some of the other places you've lived in?
251
Well, I think it's just like really...
252
You know?
253
stable, sunny.
254
And it's a bit selfish, but obviously, like everyone speaks English, even this interview here, right?
255
completely English.
256
That just makes it easy.
257
quality of life is one of the key advantages that Singapore has to offer?
258
the people of Singapore offer a very amicable environment.
259
respectful environment.
260
I'll give you an example.
261
step in the bus in the early morning and the bus driver looks at He says good morning, he acknowledges you as a customer and that you are there and is smiling.
262
It doesn't cost any money but it makes me feel so good.
263
And I share this even now with you saw little things of Alberta Um...
264
Yeah.
265
issues.
266
It's very safe here.
267
walk around with expensive.
268
stuff on you.
269
My wife can walk around here in the evening doesn't need to issue.
270
It's super safe.
271
fantastic And then on the flip side, any big challenges of living here in Singapore?
272
Maybe, for example, like the working culture or anything like that?
273
Um, well, I mean, the challenge for me personally is that it's far from family far from everywhere so
274
You kind of have, like I mentioned before, you have to travel a lot.
275
I mean, if-- to be completely honest with With work culture, the only thing that I really had to get
276
used to was I feel like I'm in the US people are more um like,
277
maybe blunt and or how do you say it, like straight to the point,
278
Um, here sometimes you have to frame questions in a way where like the person that you're confronting
279
Sabe's face or doesn't get embarrassed.
280
you know I think that's something that, you know, how something culturally like how you how you challenge someone.
281
you know, if there's a disagreement or if you see things differently.
282
might require a different strategy than how you would I'm not sure.
283
in the U .S at least at least culturally.
284
And so the last question that we'd like to ask you for our global audience is, For anyone who is considering working in Singapore,
285
Do you have any advice or any kind of tips that you would share with them?
286
First piece of advice, try to come at a higher level than the lowest level.
287
because climbing the ladder here It could be much lengthier experience than it could be else.
288
at least in some countries.
289
So come at a slightly higher level.
290
That would be my one for advice.
291
other be open to changing the balance of work priorities.
292
because work priorities tend to, depending on the sector, be very different here than, let's say, for example, - I don't think.
293
Yeah, I would say...
294
I would say two things.
295
I'd say one, you know, you've got to you've got to have a pretty valuable skill set because Singapore You know, it's quite hard to get the employee passed now.
296
And I think that's right such a popular city but
297
You're going to need some pretty special skills so invest in yourself and study and work hard.
298
And maybe secondly, you know, persevere, maybe your first job application is not successful.
299
But if you really want to go to Singapore, then You know, keep trying.
300
And in the meantime, you can visit Singapore anyway. So.
301
Don't live in an expat bubble.
302
Right?
303
I find there's been a number of instances, not everybody of course, but there's been a number of instances where people live in what I call the expat bubble.
304
Um.
305
I would strongly recommend against it.
306
Make sure you have lots of local friends.
307
Really get tapped into your local communities.
308
And, uh.. you know it will make your life in the long run I think a lot more.
309
Well, I mean, do it.
310
It's...
311
It's a safe, clean place.
312
and it's you know, uh, There's a lot of opportunity both here in and in the region to travel around Um,
313
I think one of the advice is just common like be be open -minded really and open to like you know, experience.
314
you know, a different culture.
315
I actually kind of said this, you know, I would say, I feel like Singapore is a bit like Asia.
316
for beginners or Asia 101.
317
especially for foreigners because everyone speaks English.
318
The work culture is not that different.
319
You know, people are friendly.
320
And so, It's easy to to come here and to move here and to start working here as opposed to, you know, if you Um,
321
It-- As opposed to if you went to a country where like, you know, English, a lot less people spoke and it was to get around and everything. So.
322
When I first moved here, finding a group of friends and a social activity.
323
and things like that took a while, and that was probably the most hard part for me.
324
Um, But you know, stick it out, be open -minded, and and that.
325
and Yeah, and I think if you can make it past like a year, year and a half, then you'll know.
326
But like don't bail early.
327
I guess we could be there.
328
if that's something that you want.
329
you
App downloaden
Alles wat je nodig hebt om vloeiend te spreken
AI UitspraakScoor elke zin
IPA OefeningBeheers elk geluid
WoordenschatBouw je woordenschat op
WoordenspelLeren terwijl je speelt
Zelfde Kanaal
B21
Why The U.S. Can’t Copy Japanese 7-Eleven | AB Explained
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B21
What Do Indians Think About The UK? | Street Interview
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B218
How American Burgers were Brought to Korea #shorts
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B2How Happy Are Singaporeans Really in 2025? | Street Interview
Daily ConversationUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
B23
Which Does Korea's Gen Z Prefer: Apple vs Samsung? | Street Interview
TeensDaily ConversationHigh School Students
FOR YOU
Aanbevolen Video
B215
35 zinnen
The 10 Weirdest Jobs in the World and What They Pay
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B22
148 zinnen
NZ vs Australia: Where Is It Cheaper to Live in 2025?
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B21
33 zinnen
A living wage includes tips | Kim's Convenience
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B22
875 zinnen
His Young Girlfriend Is Stealing His Money | Financial Audit
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B2222 zinnen
What Can $1,000 Get in VIETNAM (World's Cheapest Country)
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B2192 zinnen
If You Earn More, Do You Decide Everything? ｜Chinese Perspective (upper intermediate) #learnchinese
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B219
33 zinnen
Chatting with the Stranger in the Window Seat
American AccentBritish AccentTravel EnglishDaily ConversationWorking Adults
B292 zinnen
Doctors Reveal How Much Money They ACTUALLY Make
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B22
12 zinnen
Lương ngành tech - Lilian Chiu #TechJobs #IELTS
Business EnglishDaily ConversationWorking Adults
B285 zinnen
就活解禁の３月「超売り手市場」で就活生×採用側のニーズは【ぎゅっと】（2026年3月2日OA）
Daily ConversationUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
B21
171 zinnen
My Country Is Choosing Extinction (Korea)
Daily ConversationUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
Woordenschat en spreektips bij deze les
Deze spreekles op niveau B1 is gebaseerd op de video “How Much Do Foreigners in Singapore Earn?”. Deze woorden komen het vaakst terug: singapore, month, salary. Deze video bevat 329 zinnen en 3187 woorden om na te spreken. Het gesproken deel duurt 21:48. De spreker praat in een gelijkmatig tempo van ongeveer 146 woorden per minuut, prettig om te shadowen. 85% van de woorden hoort bij de 3.000 meest gebruikte Engelse woorden; de rest kun je beter vooraf bekijken. 67 van de 329 zinnen zijn vragen, dus het is goede oefening voor vraagintonatie en korte antwoorden.
Belangrijke woorden in deze video
De 15 moeilijkste woorden uit de video, met uitspraak en betekenis:
| Woord | Uitspraak | Betekenis |
|---|---|---|
| foreigner zelfstandig naamwoord | /ˈfɔɹ.ɪ.nɚ/ | buitenlander, buitenlandse |
| expense zelfstandig naamwoord | /ɪkˈspɛns/ | uitgave |
| helper zelfstandig naamwoord | /ˈhɛlpɚ/ | helper, helpster |
| borrow werkwoord | /ˈbɑɹ.oʊ/ | lenen, ontlenen |
| lifestyle zelfstandig naamwoord | /ˈlaɪfˌstaɪl/ | levensstijl |
| oppose werkwoord | /əˈpoʊz/ | tegenhouden, tegengaan |
| passive bijvoeglijk naamwoord | /ˈpæs.ɪv/ | passief |
| bubble zelfstandig naamwoord | /ˈbʌbəl/ | bel |
| depend werkwoord | /dɪˈpɛnd/ | afhangen |
| amicable bijvoeglijk naamwoord | /ˈæ.mɪ.kə.bəl/ | goedhartig, vriendelijk |
| condominium zelfstandig naamwoord | /ˌkɑn.dəˈmɪn.i.əm/ | gemeenschappelijk bestuurd gebied of eigendom |
| livable bijvoeglijk naamwoord | leefbaar | |
| persevere werkwoord | /ˌpɝ.səˈviɹ/ | doorzetten |
| pricey bijvoeglijk naamwoord | /ˈpɹaɪsi/ | prijzig, duur |
| reinsurance zelfstandig naamwoord | /ˌɹi.ɪnˈʃʊɹ.əns/ | herverzekering |
Phrasal verbs die je zult horen
| Woord | Uitspraak | Betekenis |
|---|---|---|
| cool down werkwoord | /kuːl ˈdaʊn/ | afkoelen, koelen |
| go back werkwoord | teruggaan | |
| pile up werkwoord | stapelen |
Zinnen om te herhalen
Korte, volledige zinnen uit de video die je in alledaagse gesprekken kunt gebruiken:
- Do you think you would earn more or less?
- Do you feel like with your current salary, it's enough?
- How much do you think you'd have to earn?
- Do you send money back home then?
- How much do you send?
Grammatica in deze video
De structuren die de spreker het meest gebruikt, met de exacte woorden uit de video:
| Structuur | In de video |
|---|---|
| Present perfect have/has + voltooid deelwoord — iets uit het verleden dat nu nog telt | I've based · I've lived · have lived |
| Lijdende vorm be + voltooid deelwoord — het gaat om wat er gebeurt, niet om wie het doet | is considered · is taxed · is imported |
| Betrekkelijke bijzinnen who / which + zin — extra informatie over een persoon of ding | there, which is · anyone who is |
Uitspraak om op te letten
De spreker gebruikt 59 samentrekkingen en verkorte vormen, zoals don't, I'm, you're. Spreek ze kort uit, zoals je ze hoort.
- De klanken “sh” en “zh”: reinsurance /ˌɹi.ɪnˈʃʊɹ.əns/, selfish /ˈsɛlf.ɪʃ/, inflation /ɪnˈfleɪ.ʃən/, sunshine /ˈsʌnʃaɪn/
- Lange woorden — let op de klemtoon: amicable /ˈæ.mɪ.kə.bəl/, condominium /ˌkɑn.dəˈmɪn.i.əm/, correspondingly /ˌkɔ.ɹəˈspɑn.dɪŋ.li/, reinsurance /ˌɹi.ɪnˈʃʊɹ.əns/, accessory /əkˈsɛs.(ə.)ɹi/
Klanken die Nederlandstaligen lastig vinden:
- Stemhebbende eindmedeklinker — /b/, /d/, /g/, /z/, /v/ niet verscherpen: oppose /əˈpoʊz/, passive /ˈpæs.ɪv/, depend /dɪˈpɛnd/, unemployed /ˌʌnɪmˈplɔɪd/, dive /daɪv/
- /æ/ — opener dan de Nederlandse “e”: expat /ˈɛksˌpæt/, passive /ˈpæs.ɪv/, amicable /ˈæ.mɪ.kə.bəl/, ladder /ˈlæd.ɚ/, embarrassed /ɪmˈbæɹ.əst/
- /g/ — een harde plofklank, geen Nederlandse “g”: beginner /bəˈɡɪnɚ/, disagreement /dɪsəˈɡɹiːmənt/
Zo oefen je met deze video
- Luister de hele video één keer zonder te spreken en noteer de woorden die je niet kent.
- Spreek zin voor zin na op normale snelheid en herhaal elke zin tot je ritme gelijk is aan dat van de spreker.
- Neem jezelf op en vergelijk met het origineel; let daarbij op woorden als foreigner, expense, helper.
Wat is de Shadowing-techniek?
Shadowing is een wetenschappelijk onderbouwde taalleermethode die oorspronkelijk is ontwikkeld voor professionele tolkentraining en gepopulariseerd door polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. De methode is eenvoudig maar krachtig: je luistert naar native Engelse audio en herhaalt het onmiddellijk hardop — als een schaduw die de spreker volgt met slechts 1–2 seconden vertraging. In tegenstelling tot passief luisteren of grammaticadrills, dwingt shadowing je hersenen en mondspieren om echte spraakpatronen tegelijkertijd te verwerken en te reproduceren. Onderzoek toont aan dat het de uitspraaknauwkeurigheid, intonatie, ritme, verbonden spraak, luisterbegrip en spreekvaardigheid aanzienlijk verbetert — waardoor het een van de meest effectieve methoden is voor IELTS Speaking-voorbereiding en echte Engelse communicatie.