From the bustle of Kuala Lumpur to languid Langkawi, Malaysia attracts millions of visitors each year for its blend of skylines and sandy beaches. Sitting at the intersection of a global trade route, Malay is the official language, but Mandarin, Tamil and English are also widely spoken.
A former British colony, Malaysia has a high English proficiency score and low demand for English teachers compared to most Asian countries. However, if you have the qualifications, it's still possible to find work as a TEFL teacher here. Read on to learn how, including the requirements, visas, and other info you'll need to teach English in Malaysia!Key Takeaways
- English proficiency in Malaysia is among the best in Asia, which means the demand is low for English teachers.
- English teachers generally need a TEFL certificate, bachelor's degree, and previous teaching experience for Malaysia's competitive market.
- Most TEFL jobs can be found in private schools and international schools, with Kuala Lumpur being a popular location.
- The average salary for teaching English in Malaysia ranges from RM 3,000–RM 15,000 ($760–$3,800 / £565–£2,815).
- Teachers need to secure a job before entering the country to get the Employment Pass.
Requirements for Teaching English in Malaysia
Requirements for teaching English abroad vary wherever you go. Teaching standards in Malaysia are high, and schools often have strict requirements when it comes to foreign English teachers. Here's a quick breakdown of what you'll need.
Do I need a TEFL certification to teach English in Malaysia?
Yes, you need a TEFL certification to teach English in Malaysia, with the 120-hour TEFL course being the minimum industry requirement. However, upskilling with The TEFL Org's Level 5 course or short advanced courses will improve your knowledge and could help you stand out in Malaysia's competitive market.
Tip: Students learn English from a young age, and adult professionals look to improve their English in the workplace. Specialist courses such as teaching young learners or business English could help you secure a job in Malaysia.
Can I teach without a degree in Malaysia?
No, you need a bachelor's degree to teach English in Malaysia. The standard of English education is high in Malaysia, and unless you want to volunteer, a bachelor's degree is a legal requirement to get the visa for teaching full-time and many employers seek teachers with a degree in education. (Learn more about teaching English abroad without a degree).
Do I need experience to teach in Malaysia?
Yes, you generally need experience to teach English in Malaysia. The TEFL market in Malaysia is competitive, and unless you have advanced qualifications (or you're willing to volunteer) such as a degree in education, you'll need prior teaching experience to teach in Malaysia.
Tip: With The TEFL Org's in-person course, you can gain experience before securing your first job! A 20-hour, 30-hour, or 40-hour observed teaching practice course will equip you with experience, feedback, and confidence before your first teaching job.
Visa requirements for teaching in Malaysia
Teachers in Malaysia need an Employment Pass visa to work legally. This pass allows full-time work with employers in Malaysia, the employer must be registered with the Expatriate Services Division (ESD) and your application must be approved by the Immigration Department of Malaysia.
Here are the steps you'll need to take to get the Employment Pass:
- Receive a job offer: You'll need to secure a teaching job contract before arriving in Malaysia.
- Apply for Employment Pass: You'll need to submit documents to your employer for them to apply for your Employment Pass with the ESD system.
- Collect Visa Approval Letter (VAL): Once your application has been accepted, you can collect your Visa Approval Letter (VAL).
- Apply for Visa With Reference (VDR): With your VAL, you can apply for a Visa With Reference (VDR) at the Malaysian Embassy either in-person or on the e-visa portal. Then, you can enter Malaysia and collect your Employment Pass in-country!
You'll need the following documents throughout the process of obtaining your Employment Pass and Visa:
- Original approval letter from Department of Immigration Malaysia
- Proof of employment from a Malaysian employer
- Clean criminal background check
- Proof of qualifications, including your degree and TEFL
- Passport with at least 12 months validity
- Proof of employment from companies outside Malaysia
- Proof of a minimum annual income of $24,000 (£17,800)
- Clear criminal background
- Travel & health insurance
Important: Immigration rules can change, and the information above is not intended as legal advice. Be sure to check the official Malaysian government website or embassy in your region for updated visa rules.
Download our guide to teaching English in Asia
The ultimate guide to culture, life and work as a TEFL teacher in Asia.
Salary and Cost of Living
Malaysia is an affordable country, but it's easy to blow your budget in this tropical paradise. Here's everything you need to know about what you'll earn and spend as an English teacher in Malaysia.
How much can you earn teaching English in Malaysia?
With high expectations from foreign English teachers in Malaysia, they can expect to earn higher TEFL salaries than teaching in other Asian countries. English teachers in Malaysia can expect to earn around RM 3,000–RM 15,000 ($760–$3,800 / £565–£2,815).
This pay scale depends mostly on the teacher's experience, qualifications, and job type. Most teaching jobs in Malaysia will come in the private sector, allowing for a wider range of competitive salaries depending on the institution. Typically, teachers at international schools will earn the highest salaries.
Cost of living in Malaysia
Malaysia is an affordable country, and English teachers living here can expect to spend around RM 2,000 ($506 / £375) per month, excluding rent, depending on lifestyle choices.
Average monthly rent in Malaysia ranges from RM 1,100–RM 2,000 ($280–$410 / £210–£305). In the capital city, Kuala Lumpur, expect to pay more; rent ranges from RM 1,500–RM 2,725 ($380–$690 / £280–£510).Here's how you can live comfortably while saving as a teacher in Malaysia:
- Eat local food: As such a multicultural hub, Malaysia is home to delicious and affordable food. Opting for local dishes like Nasi Lemak, Roti Canai, or Mamak Noodles will save you plenty of money, costing as little as RM 15 ($3.80 / £2.80).
- Live outside the city centre: In cities such as Kuala Lumpur, living in the city centre can be twice as expensive as living further out the city. Areas like Petaling Jaya, Wanga Masu, Chinatown, Taman Malati, Cheras, and more offer affordable living in or near the capital.
- Use public transport: If you took our previous tip, you'll be glad to hear that Malaysia has a modern, efficient, and affordable public transport system. From LRT, MRT, and bus networks, a monthly transport pass costs around RM 50 ($13 / £9.50).
- Avoid alcohol & cigarettes: We're not ones to control your lifestyle, but certain items like alcohol and cigarettes are very expensive. Malaysia is a predominantly Muslim country, and the tax rate on alcohol is one of the highest in the world.
| Restaurants | MYR | USD | GBP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inexpensive restaurant meal | |||
| Domestic beer (0.5 litre) | |||
| Regular cappuccino | |||
| Water (0.33 litre) | |||
| Markets | MYR | USD | GBP |
| Regular milk (1 litre) | |||
| Loaf of white bread | |||
| Regular eggs (1 dozen) | |||
| Apples (1 kg) | |||
| Transportation | MYR | USD | GBP |
| One-way ticket (local transport) | |||
| Monthly pass (regular price) | |||
| Taxi start (normal tariff) | |||
| Gasoline (1 litre) | |||
| Utilities | MYR | USD | GBP |
| Electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage (for a regular apartment) | |||
| Regular prepaid monthly mobile tariff with 10GB+ data | |||
| Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited data, cable/ADSL) | |||
| Clothing and shoes | MYR | USD | GBP |
| Pair of jeans (Levis 501 or something similar) | |||
| Summer dress in a chain store | |||
| Nike running shoes (mid-range) | |||
| Men's leather business shoes |
English Teaching Jobs in Malaysia
You can find English teaching jobs in Malaysia through private language schools, international schools, and in summer camps. Public schools are a less common path for foreign teachers, as they'll typically hire local teachers. While most jobs require high qualifications and standards, volunteer roles also exist.
The school year typically runs from January to November, with a longer break at the end of the year. However, some private schools will hire year-round.
Private language schools
There are many language centres across Malaysia that specialise in different forms of English teaching, from academic purposes, business English, exam preparation, and more. At these schools, you'll teach students who are supplementing their education in the evenings or on weekends, or business professionals looking to improve their language skills in the workplace.
Popular examples include Erican, ELC, GEC, and ELS.
What to expect teaching in a private language school in Malaysia:
- Evening and weekend schedule
- Small classroom sizes, teaching adults and/or young students
- A range of subjects from exam preparation, business English, and more
International schools
International schools offer local and foreign students a high level of education. Instead of learning English as a subject, English is taught as a primary language, and teachers will need to teach a range of subjects. International school teachers receive excellent salaries and benefits, but also have a high level of responsibility and expectations to meet.
Popular international schools in Malaysia include ISKL, BSKL, Marlborough, GIS, and more.
What to expect in an international school in Malaysia:
- Monday to Friday schedule
- Teaching Malay students and international students
- Excellent salaries and benefits
- Higher expectations, requirements, and teaching hours
Private tutoring
Many teachers supplement their income through private tutoring. English teachers can earn around RM 50–RM 100 ($12.50–$25 / £9.30–£18.60) per hour or more depending on their experience and qualifications.
Many private students seek to learn through conversational classes, but private English tutors specialising in a niche such as IELTS exam preparation or business English can expect to earn more.
Find out more about Malaysia English teaching jobs with the TEFL Org Jobs Centre!
Teaching English in Major Cities
From islands to modern cities, there are plenty of locations to consider in your job search for teaching in Malaysia.
Teach English in Kuala Lumpur
You'd never guess from its futuristic skyline that Kuala Lumpur is only 200 years old. As the capital city with over 2 million people, Kuala Lumpur encapsulates Malaysia's multicultural society.
From the colourful steps up to Batu Caves, Chinatown, and the twinning Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur is incredibly varied. The city is full of contrast; green spaces to dynamic skylines, luxury shopping centres to street markets, chaotic food halls to Michelin star restaurants, European and Islamic architecture, and so much more.
Beyond its cultural dynamism, English teaching jobs in Kuala Lumpur can be found in private language schools, international schools, and universities. You can find summer camp teaching jobs in and around the city like ELC and Camp Beaumont.
Does a city break entice you? You're only an hour or so away from the white beaches of Langkawi Island, Penang, or even Malaysia's cordial neighbour, Singapore.
Want on-the-ground insight? Check out online ESL teachers, Matt and Perlie, and their adventures in Kuala Lumpur!
Ready to Teach English Abroad? Get TEFL Certified!
A TEFL course isn't just a requirement for visa purposes, it's the first step towards becoming a English teacher. From popular teaching methodologies and lesson planning skills, to dealing with disruptive behaviour, you'll become a better and more confident teacher regardless of previous teaching experience.Get started with our 120 hour course now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Are English teachers in demand in Malaysia?
Yes, English teachers are in demand in Malaysia. However, the standard of English is also higher in Malaysia than in other Asian countries, making entry requirements more strict.
Q. How much do English teachers earn in Malaysia?
English teachers can earn around RM 3,000–RM 15,000 ($760–$3,800 / £565–£2,815) depending on qualifications and experience. Private language school teachers will earn towards the lower half of the scale, whereas international school teachers can earn even more than this range.
Q. Can non-native speakers teach in Malaysia?
Yes, non-native English speakers can teach English in Malaysia. However, schools prefer native English speakers, so non-native teachers will need years of experience and high qualifications such as a TEFL, teaching licence, and/or a degree in education.
Q. How can a foreigner teach in Malaysia?
A foreign English teacher will need to first be qualified with a TEFL and a bachelor's degree, then they can search for job openings online. They'll need to secure a teaching job before applying for their Employment Pass and visa before entering the country.
Q. What country has the highest demand for English teachers?
Countries such as China, Thailand, and Spain have the highest demand for English teachers. This is because they have a strong international presence or tourist sector and require English speakers within the workforce.
