Teaching English in Malaysia
Teaching English in Malaysia
Requirements
Bachelor’s Degree: Not required
Monthly Salary: $700 to 2,000 USD
Peak Hiring: All year round
Visa Information: Work visa before entry
Housing: Not compensated
Airfare: Not reimbursed
Student Types: Business English and children
At a Glance
At first glance, it seems like many other countries: pleasant climate, beaches, friendly people – the usual selling points of an island nation. But once you begin to dig deeper you’ll realize that there are very few places as perfect for TEFL teachers as Malaysia. This article covers everything you need to know about teaching English in Malaysia.
Overview
Although Malaysia is not at the top of the list for a lot of people, the people there are warm and friendly. And once you settle in, the lifestyle only gets better from there. You typically need a degree and TEFL certificate for teaching English in Malaysia.
But because the standard of English is already pretty good, there is a smaller market for TEFL. Roles are often filled in by fluent Malaysians. But there is still a lot of demand in major cities like Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia is the heart of Southeast Asia. If you are teaching in Malaysia, you get desirable elements like mountains, beaches, and tropical rainforests. It’s a melting pot of sorts with a lot of different nationalities.
English Language Schools in Malaysia
The best English language center jobs focus on the local market with adults and young learners. They pay better and generally have more benefits, but they typically require a bit more experience and qualifications. Lots of students are at a near-native level and use English as their first language in equal measure.
International Schools are where the best money and benefits are but they’re more difficult to get. Most international school jobs require qualified teacher status with teaching experience. Most only operate 40-45 weeks a year in line with the school calendar.
Salary
The money in Malaysia is not as good as in other countries. You can earn anywhere from 3,000 to 8,000 MYR ($700 to 2,000 USD) per month. You get heavily taxed in Malaysia with a minimum of 24% and higher. But you can claim most of it back when you file your tax returns at the end of the year.
Start-up costs are quite high in Kuala Lumpur. But the daily living costs are more affordable than in other countries in Southeast Asia. During your stay, always try to get health coverage. If you’ve always wanted to travel and immerse yourself in another culture while making a living, becoming an English teacher in Malaysia may be the perfect opportunity for you.
With its diverse population, excellent standard of living, and high demand for English speakers, Malaysia is an excellent place to teach English as a foreign language. English teachers in Malaysia can expect to earn a decent wage and enjoy a comfortable standard of living. Whether you have experience or are just starting out, there are many teaching positions available in Malaysia.
| Monthly Salary | Total |
|---|---|
| US Dollars (USD) | 700 to 2,000 USD |
| Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) | 3,000 to 8,000 MYR |
Certification
The experience and qualifications you have will dictate which jobs are open to you. Because English is so widely spoken, the standards are high. The expectation is for well-planned lessons and high standards of professionalism. As an ESL (English as Second Langauge) teacher, you will help students develop their language skills and improve their communication proficiency in English.
Becoming a teacher is one of the most rewarding careers in the world. It gives you the opportunity to make a positive impact on someone’s life, while receiving fair reward for your efforts. Moreover, teaching as an occupation is one of the few jobs where you can make a difference every day. These TEFL certificate programs will help you get one step closer to teaching English in Malaysia.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can earn anywhere from 3,000 to 8,000 MYR ($700 to 2,000 USD) per month.
Taxes are always changing so check up on your tax rates. Currently, you’re taxed at over 24% through the Malaysian tax system.
You typically need a degree and a TEFL certificate for teaching English in Malaysia.
Malaysians are already quite fluent in speaking English. The demand for English teachers is lower here because roles are often filled in by Malaysians.
Some of the biggest advantages of teaching English in Malaysia are its mountains, beaches, tropical rainforests, variety of nationalities, and unique cultures.