Job Discussion Forums

plutodog1818 · Joined: 22 Feb 2007 Posts: 8

Dave's does not have a forum on Malaysia so I decided this was as close as I could get.

Any one know about salary for teaching at an International College or University in Kuala Lumpur????

I am going to teach English and am from the USA.

All information and help is really appreciated. By the way how is the living there in general? I understand it is very modern and Westernized. Can you confirm?

Thank you.

saint57 · Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 11:46 am Post subject:

Hey Pluto,

I teach at a university-college. I think KL is a great place to live.

Salary should be somewhere between RM 7-8,000 to be truly happy.

You can PM me if you want, but lets try to keep this open so others can read about Malaysia.

Peace,

The Saint

plutodog1818 · Joined: 22 Feb 2007 Posts: 8

Saint:

I appreciate your response. May I ask if you are an expat and from what country?

Does your contract include housing? If so is it furnished and modern?

Is your University public or private? Are the salaries different?

By the way I love to fish. Is there deep sea fishing there?

Thank you.

saint57 · Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 12:00 pm Post subject:

I am a Canadian teacher working in a Canadian program at a private university-college. I'm not sure about public universities, but I imagine they have a SERIOUS bias towards hiring Malays (Bumiputra).

I'm not into fishing, but it's very popular here.

I get a housing allowance as part of my salary. My apartment is fully furnished and modern. Here are some photos from my blog.

Hod · Joined: 28 Apr 2003 Posts: 1613 Location: Home

saint57 · Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2007 2:07 am Post subject:

Starting in July, I've have over RM 9,000 to blow per month. I had to do OT this year to get over RM 7,000. This year I am making the least out of anyone I know.

If the teachers making this kind of money are rare, then I'd say the ones making RM 3,500-RM 4,000 are extinct because I have yet to meet one.

zorro (3) · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 202

Just for your information Pluto, apparently there is no forum here for Malaysia because the demand is not high enough. I was told this by a credible source. I'm sure you will also be told by the same credible source.

saint57 · Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2007 4:55 am Post subject:

Hey Zorro,

You might want to talk to Hod or Micropiget about salaries in Malaysia. They are the ones on the other side of the RM 4,000 debate. Actually, last I heard, MicroP got a promotion. Since, I haven't heard from him/her in a long time I'm assuming that he/she has learned that Malaysia is a different place when you have some money.

Hod · Joined: 28 Apr 2003 Posts: 1613 Location: Home

Any place gets better with more money, no argument there.

I'll also add that although my other half is Malaysian and I go there 3 times a year from Europe, I'd now never work in Malaysia again on anything like RM4000. But that's just my circumstances, and I still know anyone could have a genuinely good one or two years on that money.

Anyone earning RM9000 must be in the top 10-20% money earners in Malaysia. A local on that would have their own property and drive around in a Merc. Fair play to Saint if he blows RM9000 a month, but I'm intrigued to know how.

saint57 · Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2007 11:26 am Post subject:

saint57 · Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2007 11:57 am Post subject:

I'd like to add that I could buy a nicer place here than I could on a teacher's salary in Toronto or the suburbs. The Mercedes thing is going a bit too far though. I could get an ok Proton.

More info for people wanting to live in Malaysia:

- Traffic jams can be terrible.
- Malaysians are crazy drivers.
- I bought a scooter and I say a prayer every time I get on it. Every day I'm alive is a blessing after the accident I had with a dumptruck. I'm not a religious person.

leonconnelly · Joined: 03 Nov 2005 Posts: 12 Location: Malaysia

Most language svhools pay RM3500 or less to start. The money gets better after the first year. I have an amazing apartment that I could never afford in Sydney. I can manage very well on my salary and 25% of it goes on child support. I can afford a car, pay TV, internet access, too much booze, too many cigarettes, eating out a lot, and the occassional holiday or day trip.

The problem here is the schools are owned by business people whose sole aim is shaking every possible cent out of students. There are a couple of schools owned and operated by teachers that are different. Good money and they actually focus on teaching stduents instead of profit. They are small but growing very fast so if you want to work here let me know and i will provide details.

The roads drive me crazy too.

hilarybray · Joined: 08 May 2007 Posts: 5

bule_boy69 · Joined: 05 Mar 2007 Posts: 158 Location: Jakarta

Thanks to those in Malaysia who take the time to post here.

Yeah, there isn't much out there on teaching in Malaysia.....

I pass through KL every year or so....just got back actually... and it's one place I'd consider relocating to. I'm presently in Australia, but will probably be heading to SE Asia at the end of the year.

But I was also under the impression that work in KL (as an ESL teacher) was not terribly easy to get and that money was not an attraction. I heard that ESLers got around RM 3000.. less than in neighbouring capitals but with a higher cost of living....

I would like to be told otherwise...

Also, I hardly ever see any adverts for jobs in KL...

So, any info from people there as too where to go for work is greatly appreciated.

O yeah Saint...

How do we go about getting these jobs for RM 8000+ then>?

I got a Degree in SE Asian studies, a TESOL cert, an Australian Grad Dip Ed (Indonesian lang and Social studies methods). Got a bit of foreign language and ESL teaching experience after getting my Diploma..but not loads...

Any advice?

Cheers folks...

Vanica · Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 368 Location: North Carolina

CfBT offers 4000 for English teachers.