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Experienced teacher with credentials moving to Malaysia

 
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michellem415



Joined: 26 May 2010
Posts: 6
PostPosted: Fri May 28, 2010 4:32 pm    Post subject: Experienced teacher with credentials moving to Malaysia Reply with quote
I am heading to Malaysia to teach this year... I haven't gotten a job there. I have been offered position at international schools in China, but I have friends in KL, so am really set on going there.

I have 3 years of teaching experience, including a year in Korea. The other 2 are at public and private schools in the US. I also have a master's degree in education.

Any advice as to the best times of year to head over there? I was thinking July or August.
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KayuJati



Joined: 21 Feb 2010
Posts: 313
PostPosted: Fri May 28, 2010 5:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Actually, June would be better. Many schools start new semesters in late July or August, so a job search should be performed in June and early July.
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michellem415



Joined: 26 May 2010
Posts: 6
PostPosted: Fri May 28, 2010 8:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Do you teach there? Do you know anyone who teaches in an international school?

I do have friends who teach at schools there, and they don't seem to think coming in June is a good idea. Schools have already hired, and most likely I would just be hanging out, unemployed.. when I could stay employed here in the US, and have more money when I get there. After school starts, there will most likely be teachers somewhere who don't like Malaysia, or have some kind of family emergency.
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KayuJati



Joined: 21 Feb 2010
Posts: 313
PostPosted: Sat May 29, 2010 6:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
michellem415 wrote:
Do you teach there? Do you know anyone who teaches in an international school?

I do have friends who teach at schools there, and they don't seem to think coming in June is a good idea. Schools have already hired, and most likely I would just be hanging out, unemployed.. when I could stay employed here in the US, and have more money when I get there. After school starts, there will most likely be teachers somewhere who don't like Malaysia, or have some kind of family emergency.


Yes, I am beginning my 15th year in Malaysia. You didn't say what level of schooling you were looking for so I went with a general response regarding semesters.

The national primary and secondary school system runs January-November, with short breaks in March, June, August, and Hari Raya (whenever that occurs; not a set date). There is a 6-week break in November and December between school years.

Private primary and secondary schools may follow the national government school schedule, or maybe not. The international school in my hometown follows USA curriculum and system; thus, they begin a new school year in August, and run until the following May. This is what I was thinking of in my response to you.

Other private schools follow the British system, or the Japanese system, or the Korean system.

Colleges and universities run either a 2-semester school year, or a 3-semester. The two-semester year has classes running August-early December, and January-May. Three-semester programs have different start-stop dates, and one that I was working with had semester breaks in April, August, and December.

So, you see, your question was not easy to answer since the start-stop dates vary depending upon the level and type of school.
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michellem415



Joined: 26 May 2010
Posts: 6
PostPosted: Mon May 31, 2010 2:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Thank you for the information! You were right in assuming I would like to work in an international school.

I actually am aware of the start dates and school schedules- they also vary from one to another, between the end of July and end of August for teachers.

My thoughts about waiting until August is that I don't want to be there for a long time before I get work. I thought if I showed up as the school year began, and went around and took credential packets to each of the schools, I might be able to slip in if a teacher didn't show, or more students came than expected. I also know, from previous experience overseas, that often teachers go home because of family emergencies, or because they just aren't comfortable living abroad, in the middle of a school year.

I am curious to know what kind of temporary work I might be able to get if I end up waiting a while to get a job. Is there a need for private tutors? Either as an English tutor, or as a tutor in Math/Science/Writing for expat children? Do you know if International Schools need substitute teachers?

I appreciate any information I can get!
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KayuJati



Joined: 21 Feb 2010
Posts: 313
PostPosted: Tue Jun 01, 2010 5:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
michellem415 wrote:
I am curious to know what kind of temporary work I might be able to get if I end up waiting a while to get a job. Is there a need for private tutors? Either as an English tutor, or as a tutor in Math/Science/Writing for expat children? Do you know if International Schools need substitute teachers?

I appreciate any information I can get!


Some places might hire you part-time, but it won't come with a work permit or work visa. Those are only given to full-time workers and the school/company must show to Immigration the NEED to hire you as opposed to hiring a local. As a part-timer, you bear ALL of the risk of getting caught working on a tourist visa (social pass).

Still, people have done it for years without problems. One must be discrete. There is quite a bit of creativity involved in getting around government restrictions. For example, a company might not hire a foreigner but accept them as a "volunteer". They then give the worker a "stipend" instead of a salary. If it looks like a duck, smells like a duck, walks like a duck.....it might be a goose!
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michellem415



Joined: 26 May 2010
Posts: 6
PostPosted: Wed Jun 02, 2010 8:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Funny... thank you for all the help. That makes a lot of sense.
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