TEFL Certification: Minimum of 300 Hrs TESOL Advance required
Peak Hiring Months: Year-round
Types of Jobs: Public Schools, Private language schools and some tutoring
Citizenship Requirements: Non native with fluent English speakers can apply to jobs here
Typical Hiring Process: Most schools prefer an interview over skype or telephone
Average teaching hours per week: 20-30 hours of classroom as well as exam preparation time
Types of Students/Audience: School children,Business professionals and Private students
Cost of Living per month: $900 - 1,500USD
Visas: Work Visa is generally sponsored by the employer
Average Monthly Pay: $1500 - 3500 USD
Start –up cost: $1,000 - 2,000 USD
Accommodation Benefits: Stipend available. Also sometimes accommodation
Fight Reimbursements: Rare
Teaching English in Malaysia
Spread across from the Malay Peninsula to the legendary Borneo islands, Malaysia spans the South China Sea and is a reflection of the many faces of Asia. A stroll through the old streets of Malacca, Penang, or Kuala Lumpur gives a firsthand observation of how many centuries of trading among the Dutch, Chinese, Arabian, Malay, and Indian seafarers has in a way shaped the multi-faceted Malaysia that is seen today.
The country is home to an enticing blend of cuisines, religions, and cultures. Several of the city blocks have mosques, churches, pagodas, and temples alongside a variety of restaurants serving world-class Malaysian, Indian, or Chinese dishes.
A fast-developing economy and large population, however, does not quite translate to a large job market for first-time foreign English teachers unlike Thailand, Vietnam, and some of the other Southeast Asian countries. Opportunities, nevertheless, exist especially for the ones possessing a BA degree, some prior teaching experience, and a TEFL certification. Advance interview is the norm for most of the job interviews, being conducted through Skype or over the phone. Housing expenses and airfares usually have to be borne by the teachers themselves, most of whom usually shift into apartments previously rented by their counterparts or choose to share accommodation with their coworkers.
A comfortable lifestyle is guaranteed because of a good salary on offer. Typical work weeks comprise 20 to 25 hours of work that leaves plenty of time for exploring the country. A bachelor’s degree is needed for teaching in the country though many prefer candidates having a master’s degree. TEFL certification is also mandated with work visa permits being provided in some case only on furnishing the same. Major cities such as Kuala Lumpur usually have a concentration of the teaching jobs.
