Job Discussion Forums

[eclectic]

I have a BA in English, currently completing a 1 year hakwon contract in Korea, soon I'll have the TEFL certificate from i-to-i (but only a 40-hour ONLINE on, costing $168 US), and an unrelated Masters degree.

With these qualifications, or so I call them, what salary can I hope for in KL? And what type of savings can I expect, since my wife and I hardly ever go out spending much except on basics like food shopping?

Is showing up and job-hunting the best strategy? Is securing an offer before arriving even a possibility these days?

We can save about $1,000 US per month on our $1,750 US salary here in Korea.

[Jati]

eclectic,

I just answered your PM, but also want to post a short general answer to the thread.

Malaysia will not be as easy to land a position that pays as well as Korea, but the lifestyle, climate and landscape certainly makes up for some of the difference.

Masters holders are getting RM3,000 plus. The top end might be around RM5,000 with some exceptions. Beware the poster who is the exception = false hopes.

I have taught for 13 years here (4 in KL, 9 in Kuantan), and have never made over RM4,200. I could have been close to RM5k if I had stayed in KL at the school that I started with. By moving to the east coast (= lower salaries), and starting out at a new school, I set my salary level back in both amount and time. It took me about 6 years to reach the level that I was at in KL when I quick working there.

But, the cost of living is so low. We rented a 5-bedroom house for ~US$210 per month in Kuantan before buying a nice house for ~US$42k. So, for the down payment on a house in the USA, you can buy a house outright; at least where I live. Lunch is ~US$1.50. (Coca-Cola sells for US$0.42 a 12-oz can in a restaurant.) Dinner runs, oh, US$2.

I am using RM3.50 to the US$1 now for conversions.

[eclectic]

thanks man, that is helpful stuff. I just sent my resume to some places. We'll see what happens but yeah, I should just take a vacation there and circulate some resumes and try for some interviews as you said.

[roamingteacher]