Job Discussion Forums

Timberdan · Joined: 21 Jul 2010 Posts: 21

Hello, I've been teaching in Taiwan for a few years and want a change. I'm having difficulty deciding where to go. I feel my main three choices are Japan, S. Korea and Malaysia. However, i don't know much about Malaysia and wanted some good advice, searching the web most articles and comments i found were many years old.

I don't want to work in the capital, but i'm not sure how much work is outside it. Also, i'm 25 and i get the impression that it's not a country for a young person in which case i'm probably more suited for S. Korea.

Any information and advice would be appriciated.

Thanks.

kerrilee · Joined: 22 Jan 2006 Posts: 59 Location: Dalian, China

As far as I know you have to be 27 years old to work legally in Malaysia (it was a requirement for the job I have been offered there and for other jobs I have seen advertised.) So it may be wise to look elsewhere until you reach 27.......

KayuJati · Joined: 21 Feb 2010 Posts: 313

To my knowledge there is no lower age requirement for a work permit, other than being an adult ( >18 ). Thus, as a 25-year-old, you could qualify for one.

http://pwcias.com/webmedia/doc/633728795653275316_ias_immigration_my.pdf

When I worked in KL, there was another expat on staff who was 23 or 24 years old and she got a regular expat work permit without problems.

To answer your question, it would help to know your academic and work background. I have worked outside KL for 11 years now and know of other people doing so also. And, yeah, it IS nice.

Timberdan · Joined: 21 Jul 2010 Posts: 21

Well I have a degree and a telf qualification. I have almost three years experience in cram schools in Taiwan.

Like i said, i'm having difficulty making a choice and any up to date info on Malaysia would be quite useful. What teaching jobs are like? What's the lifestyle like? Will I be able to save money? Are the locals difficult? Are they currupt? Should i be picking somewhere like Japan and S. Korea at my age? Is there any way to teach in a beautiful costal town that i keep seeing in the picures?

KayuJati · Joined: 21 Feb 2010 Posts: 313

Timberdan · Joined: 21 Jul 2010 Posts: 21

Thank you,

that was something I noticed, there wasn't a lot of advertising on the web. Are cram schools not so popular in Malaysia then. So do you think i should travel the country making inquiries. My contract here doesn't end till September so I won't be able to travel in June or July.

I know i'm asking a lot of questions, but I know no one who has taught there. Is there a website or something you could recommend, maybe i'm just looking in the wrong places.

KayuJati · Joined: 21 Feb 2010 Posts: 313

Nemodot · Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 53

Hi at 25 you are too young to get a legal wp teaching as you have to be 28 to get one for teaching. Ict workers can get when younger especially in cyberjaya - 22 min if I remember correctly. That is because Itc skills are acquired quicker.

Of course some people work ilegally and some are on spouse visas.

Malaysia isn't like Taiwan, Korea or Thailand where teaching jobs are easy to get. Competition is stiff and no real Market for tefl however recently some companies are hiring staff and pay decent enough salaries that work with the moe. malaysians speak good English and lots of local tefl teachers.

KayuJati · Joined: 21 Feb 2010 Posts: 313

Nemodot · Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 53

Timberdan · Joined: 21 Jul 2010 Posts: 21

Well thanks for the information. It's a shame i'm too young. Maybe Malaysia is an idea i should try in 3 or 4 years. I've tried the advice you PM me, and i did get a responce asking for a CV, so i guess i'll see what they say once they find out i'm 25.