Job Discussion Forums

[Nekobus]

Hello everyone,

I'd like to seek the collective wisdom of this board. How likely am I to obtain a decent teaching position in KL? In terms of qualifications, I hold a doctorate in Russian Studies and have experience teaching undergraduate students (admittedly, not language so much as history and culture); I have a TEFL certificate issued by the Benedict School in St Petersburg, in 1994 (!), plus an excellent reference from the same. Back in 1998, Language Link accepted this certificate as CELTA equivalent, but it only talks about 40 hours of contact time, whereas schools these days appear to want 120 hours.

Experience-wise, as well as 1994, I taught EFL in Russia between 1998 and 2001, but cannot substantiate this - Language Link have not got back to me, and my other employer is defunct. My university teaching took place in 2008-2010, and I _should_ be able to obtain a reference to this effect.

Some personal details: I am in my early 40s, and made a trial move to Malaysia last year with my wife and two children. We like it there a lot, and have begun to build some good connections. The stability offered by an employment visa would be a huge plus. Work in Petaling Jaya would be ideal from the point of view of commuting.

From reading other posts, I gather RM10k is a good salary, with accommodation and flight allowances a bonus - does that still hold true? Is it achievable for someone in my position, or would I be better advised to obtain a CELTA and/or otherwise recalibrate my expectations? I'd be grateful for any advice you might have. Thanks for reading.

[suphanburi]

If you can get a job at 10k myr then take it and don't look back.
That is about 3x more than your average TEFLer makes (3-4k on average for basic TEFL teachers).

Your unrelated PhD makes no difference in terms of TEFL jobs. Even less so if your passport is not from an Anglophone country. It might get you a position as a guest lecturer at a smaller university in their language center as an EFL teacher.

Your 40 hour TEFL cert was never equivalent to a CELTA regardless of what you were told. 120 hours is pretty much standard for entry level EFL jobs (when a cert is required at all).

.

[Nekobus]

Thanks for getting back to me with those clarifications - it's useful to hear what a realistic salary expectation might be.

It's true my PhD is in an unrelated field, but I had wondered whether the associated teaching experience might bear witness to, if nothing else, more recent experience in classroom management, course preparation and the like. I am a native speaker of British English, for what that's worth.

And, yes, I agree, 40 hours does not equate to 120 hours, whichever way I try and cut it.

The question remains, though: am I employable as a TEFL teacher in Malaysia with my current qualifications and experience?

[suphanburi]

[Nekobus]

[nomad soul]

[Nekobus]

[Hod]

How's it going in KL/PJ? I have to say that whilst I'm envious, you're very brave. I lived and worked in KL on three occasions, the last was regrettably now over 12 years ago. Saying that, I married a Malaysian so go back for extended visits at least once a year.

The attitude of my (Chinese) Malaysian wife sums it up for me. She loves going back to Malaysia often as do I, but the political situation means she'd rather live in the west. So whilst I'd really love to live there again for a few years and will do so, I'll always have an exit plan. I'm not saying that Malaysia will turn into Syria, but you've now been there since last year and must've noticed not all is well. Saying that, I've already said I'm envious so in your shoes I'd give it a go.

How are you able to stay in Malaysia now visa-wise? I'd look at that before anything else. I think somewhere between RM4K and RM10K is a fair estimate for income, but in the long term with a family, some serious calculations are needed. A year or two is fine, but I'd be looking at plans after that.

As I say, good luck, and I'm envious, but be careful.

[LarssonCrew]

That's funny Hod, ALOT of my Chinese ex students who have gone on to work abroad have ended up working in Singapore, apparently Malaysia 'hates the Chinese' but 'Singapore loves us.'

I've been about 6 times to KL/Malaysia and have had nothing but positive experiences. The infrastructure and people seemed to be on a level above anything else in that area of Asia, and, beside maybe HK [without Mainlanders] and Singapore, it's not until you reach Japan, Australia or maybe UAE spreading out that you hit the same kind of level of development imo.

[Hod]

Indeed, Singapore is a developed country. Malaysia meanwhile has pretty much the same racial mix, although far more land and natural resources, but continues to lag far behind. You won't get any argument from me that Malaysia is a nice place to visit or even live in in the short term, but no one who lives there now will tell you all is well.

[KayuJati]

I enjoyed my 17 years in Malaysia, but I would never go back there now until and unless the Big Thief gets ousted. Too much (typical) rhetoric being thrown around to protect him and some will take that as a license to strike out at westerners.

[Hod]

Always the optimist, reading back I'd say we've been a little bit negative to the opening poster.

Malaysia's an amazing country which offers multicultural experiences other countries just can't match, and whilst I head back there for four weeks a year, it irks me pretty much every day that I can't just stay there again right now for a couple of years or so. I could, of course, but it's not so practical right now.

Saying that, if I never set foot there again, I'd be glad I got to experience Malaysia warts 'n' all. I'm not going to retire in Malaysia (hopefully), but I'm definitely spending a couple of years there again soon.

Just be ultra careful, as it's an interesting country with many problems.

[Nekobus]

[meyanga]

I think you should try the universities - that would be your best bet. There are loads of private colleges and universities in KL, just send in your CV and/or cold call them.

What is your accent like? If you have a reasonable accent then perhaps you could try the lower end international schools like Fairview or Tenby???I actually don't know what the salaries are like there but it might be worth a try. Fairview Ipoh has an Eastern European principal if I'm not mistaken - I think she's Russian but I can't recall 100%.

Good luck!

[Nekobus]