Wei Teng is a Fellow of the Register of Educational Therapists (Asia). She holds an honours degree in Psychology (2nd Upper Class) from the National University of Singapore and a Masters of Arts in Teaching English to Young Learners (with distinctions) from the University of York (UK), which showcases her multidisciplinary approach to education. She also obtained a Diploma in Dyslexia Studies from the DAS and received comprehensive training in the Orton-Gillingham approach, further enriching her expertise in the field.
Formerly a journalist, Chen Wei Teng found her calling in teaching when she discovered her passion in helping children and teenagers with literacy difficulties master the English language. She has 18 years of experience providing effective interventions and support to young learners struggling with dyslexia and other specific learning differences.
At NorthLight School (Singapore), Wei Teng worked closely with at-risk teenagers from challenging or disadvantaged family backgrounds where she played an integral role in planning and implementing the school’s literacy support programme for students. This programme targets students who were reading significantly below their chronological age and had various learning needs, including dyslexia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), had difficulties related to learning EL as a second language, as well as motivational issues.She subsequently led new initiatives in the review of the programme, one of which involved developing a visual representation of the literacy support programme to help parents of students understand their children’s strengths and challenges in their literacy development journeys.
Her dedication and impact were recognized through the “Caring Teachers’ Award” given by the National Institute of Education and Nanyang Technological University in 2022. She was also nominated for the “Inspiring Teacher of English – Teaching Award” in 2022, which recognises teachers who help ignite in students a love for English. Additionally, her students nominated her for the esteemed LEAP Award (“Listening Educator for Advancement and Progress Award”) presented by the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan. The award seeks to recognise teachers who made leaps of faith to believe that students have the potential to excel beyond their capabilities.
Wei Teng previously also served as a Senior Educational Therapist at the Dyslexia Association of Singapore (DAS), where she played a pivotal role in leading the curriculum team in designing comprehensive frameworks for dyslexic students, focusing on speaking, listening, writing, and grammar and training teachers in the use of these frameworks. She also lectures at the DAS where she equips practitioners with the skills to engage and support learners with specific learning differences.
Wei Teng is also a picture book author. Her debut picture book “Murphy, See How You Shine!” won the Moonbeam Children’s Picture Book Gold Award (e-book category) in 2018. It was subsequently translated and also converted into an e-book, with the support of Lee Kuan Yew Fund for Bilingualism and the National Library Board of Singapore.