Job Discussion Forums

[gloomyGumi]

Can I just go there and get an apartment for a month and have a decent chance at finding a job in a hagwon-type school? I can't ever get a uni job since I don't have a Cambridge CELTA, and I really don't feel like spending the $2,500 US and/or going through the rigorous program at this time. BTW I have a bachelors in English and 2 years teaching experience in South Korea. No cert however. And I know I'll only earn the bare minimum wage since I am not highly-qualified, but I am not a picky person either. I just never see any activity on Dave's about Malaysia and am wondering if it's like a best-kept secret OR there isn't much opportunity there for someone like me, i.e. sort of like the Gulf where you need tons of certifications/licenses/MAs in English.
Anyone who can tell me if I can stroll right into a job there, like I did here in SK? I can live in big cities or remote towns and don't care if its with locals or expats or a mix thereof.

[wailing_imam]

Wouldn't bother if I were you. The wages will be unbearably low.

Malaysia is not ESL teaching's best kept secret by any stretch.

Try Indonesia. You'll find a job with few problems and be able to afford a fair lifestyle and have a great amount of fun.

[gloomyGumi]

Thank you wailing imam. Indonesia I thought would be low-paying just like Malaysia. In fact when I think of Indo, I think "poverty" to a certain degree. Whereas I thought Malaysia was an Asian Tiger, even moreso than SK or Taiwan. Unbearably low wages you are correct would be not an option for me after earning quite well indeed in SK.

I ruled out Vietnam and Thailand for various reasons, among them too much FBI/fingerprinting/police clearance Big Brother-type crap, and also the lack of an international mix of citizenry. Im finding there are fewer and fewer places these days that one can earn a decent wage and also find things like good quality cheese/European beer/oatmeal/whole wheat flour/peanutbutter/Italian sausages, etc.......OR HAVE I JUST BEEN SO DEPRIVED OF THESE THINGS SIMPLY DUE TO MY LOCATION IN SK?

[KayuJati]

gloomyGumi

There are a fair number of Malaysian threads below which discuss various teaching opportunities. As stated, the TESL/TEFL world is not as large as in other countries, but there are international schools that employ Bach degree holders to teach within their subject field.

I just helped place an American with a BA English into a Malaysian job that pays the Indonesian rupiah equivalent of 18 million per month. Perusing the Indonesia forum shows that this salary is way above the 8- to 10-million average for beginner ESL/EFLers in that country.

Here are the names of some international schools in Malaysia that you could check out via their websites:

Garden International (several branches)
Mont Kiara
Dalat (Penang only)
International School of Kuala Lumpur
International School of Kuantan

http://www.expat.com.my/xschools.htm

If you do some research ahead of time, you might have a better chance when you 'just show up' later.

For college and university positions, you should have at least a masters degree. I know of people who were hired with just a bachelors, but having a masters broadens the opportunities. I have spent my 15 years here teaching at the college/uni level.

And, yes, Malaysia is a well-kept secret.

[gloomyGumi]

That is encouraging. Its a bit different than the other poster wrote, but 15 years there gives you a great read on things. (I'm not saying the other poster isn't living or didn't live in Malaysia for just as long, I'm just saying your advice is more encouraging.)
This makes me want to dump SK and go right there after doing some of the research. One last point maybe you know about: does the Malaysian government usually quickly give work visas ONCE AN OFFER HAS BEEN MADE BY A SCHOOL? I had a friend in Istanbul who got a job offer, and the school submitted his work visa request, but the Turkish govt. didn't process it in time, and he was teaching illegally for almost a year----a risk I wouldn't want to take in Malaysia.

[KayuJati]

[steki47]

[KayuJati]

[steki47]

[wailing_imam]

Who cares how many Indonesians are trying to sneak into Malaysia? What irrelevant nonsense! 20 percent of the population of Malaysia is estimated to consist of Indonesian migrants. Theyare escaping rural poverty Ina country which has 14 times the population of Malaysia, and is many more times larger.

The simple truth of the matter is that Indonesia is also home to some of asias wealthiest and I would guess that jakarta alone has more dollar millionaires than all Malaysia. This money, mainly controlled by the ethnic Chinese, ensures that Indonesia has an aspirational youth and a highly dynamic esl industry. The op is likely to find a far greater range of opportunities in Indonesia than Malaysia. My own point of view is that Indonesia is a hell of a lot more fun too! Jakarta has possibly the best nightlife in all s e asia.

[steki47]

[wailing_imam]

No, because Malaysia does have a few decent jobs in a handful of decent cities for those with the right paperwork and experience. Indonesia is more suitable for those in the op's situation, little experience and no paperwork.

[KayuJati]

[gloomyGumi]

I am amzed at this JKT info, though I do not disbelieve it. Sounds like it is an option for me as well. I especially do not care very much for paperwork. I mean I have my original BA in English diploma, and verifiable 2.5 years teaching in korea experience, but no TEFL which I thought Indo strictly requires????.........

[wailing_imam]

Indonesia is very grey over regulations. If a school likes you, it will hire you regardless of whether you have a TEFL cert. However, you are most likely to be restricted to one of the many chains of language schools. It pays to do a lot of research as there are a hell of a lot of schools in Jakarta.