Country Guides: Malaysia

Malaysia is a meeting point of Malay, Chinese and Indian influences, highlighted by a range of festivals, cuisine and customs. The country was formed relatively recently, in the early 1960s, when the north Borneo states of Sabah and Sarawak (East Malaysia) joined Malaya (Peninsular Malaysia), and it didn’t let a little thing like the South China Sea get in the way of its solidarity; regular flights transport the masses from the cosmopolitan and historic cities of the Peninsular to the jungles of the East.

Since its creation, the country has prospered to become one of the most developed in South East Asia and the capital Kuala Lumpur is representative of its prosperity. Here, modern wonders like the Petronas Towers stand alongside colonial architecture amid an energetic vibe.

Demand For Teachers

High, Competitive

Main TEFL Regions

Kuala Lumpur, Sabah, Sarawak

Main Types of Teaching

• English-Medium Schools: General English, English for Younger Learners

• Private Language Institutes: General English, Business English

Busiest Periods

Year round

Salary

• R1,200 - R2,000 per month (€246 - €410)

• Pay is commensurate with a teacher's qualifications and experience.

Tax

30%

Contracts

12 months

Visa Requirements

Work visas are very difficult to obtain and teachers generally require an MA.

Requirements

• TEFL qualification

• English speaker