Teaching English in Malaysia: Salary & Requirements

Malaysia is one of the Asian countries with a high demand for English teachers and if you meet the requirements to teach here, you can earn as high as $2,300 per month. In this blog post, I will walk you through the requirements and guidelines to become an English teacher in Malaysia.

If you followed up on my previous articles on how to become an English teacher in Japan and how to teach English in Korea, then you won’t miss where I mentioned that Asian countries have a high demand for English teachers. It does not even need to be mentioned before it can be noticed and this is obviously because these countries are not English-speaking countries.

Malaysia is also one of the countries with a high demand for English teachers and from what I have been able to observe, I think it is because of the fast-growing economy of the nation. As one of the fastest-growing economies, the country is bound to attract big investors from different parts of the world, and we all already know the universal business language, that’s right, it is English.

Learning the English language allows citizens to interact with potential investors who are coming from other countries. And aside from these, Malay students looking to study abroad also need to learn English to pass English language proficiency tests like TOEFL, IETLS, PTE, etc. and as an English teacher, these set of individuals, and many others, are whom you will sell your services to or work with to earn a good income.

Teaching English in Malaysia will expose you to a myriad of fun and exciting experiences such as the culture, food, and gorgeous scenery. If you want to experience all of these as an English teacher in Malaysia, then you need to meet the requirements outlined in the next section.

Before you dive into that, you should also know that Asian countries aren’t the only places with a high demand for English teachers. You can become an English teacher in Colombia or teach English in Italy and earn good salaries while basking in the beauty of these countries.

What Are The Requirements To Teach English In Malaysia

Getting started to become an English teacher in Malaysia, there are requirements that you must meet and certifications that you must have before you can land this position. In this section, you will find an outline of these requirements. Let’s get started…

Qualification

To begin teaching English in Malaysia you have to be qualified. It is required that every prospective English teacher coming into the country must have a bachelor’s degree in any field. But if you have a master’s degree, it is also accepted it increases your chances of getting a job faster and puts you on a higher salary too.

You will also need TEFL certification to start teaching English in Malaysia. The certificate can either be gotten online or at a brick-and-mortar school.

Visa

You’re traveling to another country to teach, of course, you’d need a work visa to get into the country but this is after you must have gotten the job. You will get a work visa from your home country.

English Proficiency

The typical requirement for the type of English teachers accepted to come to Malaysia to teach English are usually native English speakers from the USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. However, if you are from another country and a fluent English speaker, you can pass for a native speaker but note that native English speakers get priority.

Teaching Experience

Possessing teaching experience of 2-3 years is one of the requirements to become an English teacher in Malaysia. However, this requirement varies from employer to employer because some are happy to take inexperienced teachers, and of course, you will have your bachelor’s degree and TEFL certificate.

If you possess previous teaching experience, especially in English, you can pursue a higher salary.

Age Requirement

Yes, there is an age requirement for people looking to teach English in Malaysia and it is between the ages of 27 to 50 years old.

These are the requirements to become an English teacher in Malaysia and if you can satisfy them all, you are well on your way to starting teaching English in Malaysia. If you are having doubts about whether Malaysia is a good place for you to teach English, the next section will set you right and help you make better decisions.

Pros And Cons Of Being An English Teacher In Malaysia

What do you stand to gain or lose as an English teacher in Malaysia? Let’s find out…

Pros

  • Teaching English in Malaysia will earn you a good income, up to $2,300 per month, and this can go higher if you have a master’s degree and teaching experience. The income is enough to help you live comfortably in the country and even keep some savings aside.
  • As an English teacher in Malaysia, you get to work 25 hours per week, which is good and gives you plenty of time to tour the country.
  • Teaching jobs are available throughout the year
  • Some employers provide free or subsidized accommodation, medical insurance, and paid annual leave to English teachers.
  • And last but not least, you get to bask in the glory of the country, enjoy the culture, learn a new language, make new friends, and create new connections.

Cons

  • The English teaching market in Malaysia is competitive and this is because many Malays are well-equipped to teach English, which makes vacancies fewer.
  • The work visa process is time-consuming
  • If you are below 27 years old, you won’t get a teaching job in Malaysia.
  • Native English speakers are a priority and if you are not, getting a job will be hard.

Now that you know the pros and cons of being an English teacher in Malaysia, what will be your next step?

The section below will guide you on how you need to go about securing an English teaching job in the country.

teaching english in malaysia

How To Become An English Teacher In Malaysia

Here, I have outlined the steps you need to get an English teaching job in Malaysia and some of the best places in the country to get a high-paying teaching job.

Step 1: Make Research

This is the first step to starting teaching English in Malaysia and by reading this blog post, that means you have already begun the first step. This is where you start doing research and learning everything like the requirements and pros and cons of teaching English in Malaysia.

You may decide to seek help from experts or agents who handles things like this and make inquiries concerning your aspiration to teach English in Malaysia, of course for a fee. You should also be careful while doing this so that you don’t fall into the hands of scammers, to avoid this, you should look for a registered company.

However, a simple blog post such as this is enough guidance.

Step 2: Start Searching For Jobs

For you to start preparing for a job, that means you have met the qualification requirements to teach English in Malaysia. I have already discussed this above but you also need to add other things like a cover letter, resume or CV, passport photo, and transcripts.

These documents will be useful during your job application. You can find jobs at private language academies, public schools, and private lessons. The popular location where you can find English teaching jobs in Malaysia are Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, and Johor Bahru.

Step 3: Apply For Jobs

Now that you have your documents ready, you can start applying for jobs while in your home country. When you are accepted for employment, then you can travel to Malaysia.

You may also check for jobs at universities if you’re up to the task. The job requirements are usually posted along with the job so that you can see whether you qualify or not. For any job you apply for and get picked for, you will have to go through with the interview which is typically done over the phone or skype.

Follow these steps and you will land an English teaching job in Malaysia with ease.

Teaching English in Malaysia – FAQs

What is the salary of English teachers in Malaysia?

According to Glassdoor, an English teacher in Malaysia earns an average salary of $33,000 per year.

Are English teachers in demand in Malaysia?

Yes, there is a demand for top-quality English teachers in Malaysia with the necessary qualifications and experience.

Do I need a degree to teach English in Malaysia?

A Bachelor’s degree and a TEFL certification are required to teach English in Malaysia.

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