Teaching in Malaysia

LPgrl Active member

25POSTS

5 years ago

Hello
New to this. Could anyone advise working at international school. Coming from the Uk is it worth it with children. An a partner who doesn’t work?
Please could someone tell me a break down of costs?
Thanks
LPgrl

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sue1955 Member

13POSTS

5 years ago

Hi
I have been in education in many countries and now in Malaysia. Malaysia is very cheap, and the costs vary a little according to location. Accommodation can be expensive, depending on what and wher, but it is still a lot cheaper than the UK. I am happy to have a private coversation off this forum if you like.

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Nemodot ViP

2128POSTS

5 years ago

Hi depends. First you need a proper international school, the 20,000 plus RM pm type of schools to support a family, one that offers full expat medical for the family and free school places.

The cheaper, and lower paying schools, schools are only really suitable for singles (no children) or teaching couples (with no children or maybe just one).

LPgrl Active member

25POSTS

5 years ago

So, I have only applied to international schools.
To be getting 20 000RM you would need to be on high pay scale?
The ones that I have applied, give health insurance, schooling, air fair and living allowance. But it doesn’t specify how much living allowance.
Would anyone be able to let me know what would be a ideal package and what should I negotiate?

LPgrl Active member

25POSTS

5 years ago

Yes that would be great. If I could ask you a few questions so that I have an idea as a working parent. As want to know if my partner can just live out there an be our guard maybe.

cvco Malaysia Expert

1237POSTS

5 years ago

LPgrl wrote:
So, I have only applied to international schools.
To be getting 20 000RM you would need to be on high pay scale?
The ones that I have applied, give health insurance, schooling, air fair and living allowance. But it doesn’t specify how much living allowance.
Would anyone be able to let me know what would be a ideal package and what should I negotiate?

My oldest friend in Malaysia works in HR in an international school, i'll call her on your behalf. As I remember, she was paying some teachers RM25-30,000 but as Nemodot said, it depends the school and I dont actually know what her school is classified as. It depends who you are, experience, their needs, etc. I'll try to find out what I can.

Nemodot ViP

2128POSTS

5 years ago

Hi the 1st tier schools pay 22,000 RM to 30,000 RM per month (pre tax) plus full EPF benefits. An experienced qualified teacher of say 10 years experience should go for those. Use Search Associates, TES or Guardian. ISKL, GIS, Alice Smith.... etc

Second tier schools pay 16-18,000 per month plus all the perks.

That is a good 20 or so schools to apply to!

If an NQT then less of course, and maybe a third tier school on 14,000 pm and often way less perks such as restricted medical. Subject matters more in the lower tier schools, as the upper tier have well defined pay scales that are fixed (so fair). The good schools to work for don't negotiate.

Anything less than 14k indicates a school that probably is best avoided if fully qualified. Might be ok for first time IF SINGLE and young, or a teaching couple no kids. With a family HELL NO!

20k a month (RM) is just a middle class salary, not that high but good enough. People forget in the UK a cleaner mighy get 18k GBP a year and a teacher 36k (twice).

In Malaysia, a third world country, inequality is rife so a cleaner gets 3k (my old one did) vs an international school teacher on at least 6x that. You find huge pay and wealth inequalities in asia that don't exist in Socialist UK (yes even under the Tories UK - or western European countries - looks Socialist vs Asian countries or America) where wealth redistribution comes in form of min pay regs, taxation and benefits. In Asia no work and no family to feed you = no eat! (Well very linited charity exists)

LPgrl Active member

25POSTS

5 years ago

When I have been interviewed they have mentioned about leading a department. So I expect to be paid to lead as I would in the UK?

Nemodot ViP

2128POSTS

5 years ago

#10

Hi ina leadershiprole, good schools will have a decent payscale for that, the lower paying schools tend to "surprisingly" skimp in these allowances also.

International school rates of pay though don't really reflect home pay that well. All sorts of factors come in. Again a good school will have a well defined pay scale that isn't up for negotiation! As HoD of a medium department (depends of what) I would expect 2,000RM a month at least plus 20% less contact hours and no tutor duties.

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LPgrl Active member

25POSTS

5 years ago

#11

I will see what they come back with and then let you know if it is good or not. I would really like to experience living abroad as it will on my bucket list. Do you think selling your home in UK is a good idea or keep it and rent it out?

Nemodot wrote:
Hi ina leadershiprole, good schools will have a decent payscale for that, the lower paying schools tend to "surprisingly" skimp in these allowances also.

International school rates of pay though don't really reflect home pay that well. All sorts of factors come in. Again a good school will have a well defined pay scale that isn't up for negotiation! As HoD of a medium department (depends of what) I would expect 2,000RM a month at least plus 20% less contact hours and no tutor duties.

LPgrl Active member

25POSTS

5 years ago

#12

Also is nice to live in Malaysia, I just read on a other forum about buying and how they can take away MM2H an kick you out? Even if you have Malaysian Citizenship?

micern Active member

40POSTS

5 years ago

#13

It is true, that it has become more difficult to move here as a foreigner. The MM2H programme is currently suspended and it's uncertain when and/if it'll open again. Getting employment passes has also become more difficult as the government tries to force companies to hire locals first. There are many teachers here from the UK, depending on which school you will join.

Overall the sentiment towards foreigners has deteriorated in recent times, but Malaysia is still a nice place to live.

With regards to selling your home in the UK, that's really up to you and dependent on your circumstances. If I was in your position, I would hold on to my overseas properties, if you can get a decent rental income while you are away.

If you have a Malaysian citizenship you will not be kicked out of Malaysia (not relevant to your case either way).

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LPgrl Active member

25POSTS

5 years ago

#14

Hello,
Could anyone tell me when they have had an interview for a international school. When are you informed that you have/haven’t got it?

crystalvisuals Active member

29POSTS

5 years ago

#15

I'm in a somewhat similar position. I have just been offered a teaching position contract for 16k. accommodation, bills, medical care, airfare included. I'm from the UK and also have a home here so I have a lot to decide too. According to some of the earlier threads, I guess I'm in that tier 2 school. Do you think this will be enough for myself and my fiancee? Any information welcome

LPgrl Active member

25POSTS

5 years ago

#16

crystalvisuals wrote:
I'm in a somewhat similar position. I have just been offered a teaching position contract for 16k. accommodation, bills, medical care, airfare included. I'm from the UK and also have a home here so I have a lot to decide too. According to some of the earlier threads, I guess I'm in that tier 2 school. Do you think this will be enough for myself and my fiancee? Any information welcome

You have been offered £16k salary a year as a qualified teacher? You would get more here in the UK just as a NQT? Why would you consider that?
How quick did they tell you that you have the job?

LPgrl Active member

25POSTS

5 years ago

#17

Sorry my bad 16RM yea that’s definitely good if it’s only 2 zig you. Will your fiancé be working as well?

micern Active member

40POSTS

5 years ago

#18

If you don't have substantial expenses in UK to maintain while you are in Malaysia, this will be sufficient to live well, especially since accommodation is taken care of. As with everything else, it of course depends on your lifestyle, but you should be able to afford dining out several times per week and travel the region.

crystalvisuals Active member

29POSTS

5 years ago

#19

Yes, it was quite swift for a weeks decision.
Why not the UK you ask? Well I earn more than this in the UK right now it's just that I wanted to try living somewhere new in Asia that had the potential to lay down some roots, had a blend of lower cost of living and great food, with opportunities to travel across asia. The UK is nice but the weather and cost of living is not great.

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LPgrl Active member

25POSTS

5 years ago

#20

crystalvisuals wrote:
Yes, it was quite swift for a weeks decision.
Why not the UK you ask? Well I earn more than this in the UK right now it's just that I wanted to try living somewhere new in Asia that had the potential to lay down some roots, had a blend of lower cost of living and great food, with opportunities to travel across asia. The UK is nice but the weather and cost of living is not great.

Hi Sorry I didn’t realise that it was 16 RM per months. Are you primary or secondary. I haven’t heard back and my first interview was 2 weeks ago. I’m thinking maybe they have found someone else.
I will have had my second interview 2 weeks this coming Friday. What would be the hold up? Surely they can’t still be interviewing.

crystalvisuals Active member

29POSTS

5 years ago

#21

Initially, no. She will be looking for jobs. her degree is in Fashion Business but we have not found a job for her yet. We will begin looking from tomorrow. FIngers crossed.

crystalvisuals Active member

29POSTS

5 years ago

#22

LPgrl wrote:
crystalvisuals wrote:
Yes, it was quite swift for a weeks decision.
Why not the UK you ask? Well I earn more than this in the UK right now it's just that I wanted to try living somewhere new in Asia that had the potential to lay down some roots, had a blend of lower cost of living and great food, with opportunities to travel across asia. The UK is nice but the weather and cost of living is not great.

Hi Sorry I didn’t realise that it was 16 RM per months. Are you primary or secondary. I haven’t heard back and my first interview was 2 weeks ago. I’m thinking maybe they have found someone else.
I will have had my second interview 2 weeks this coming Friday. What would be the hold up? Surely they can’t still be interviewing.

Hmmm. Not sure what the hold up would be. Time will tell so hang in there and keep applying. Why did you choose Malaysia?

crystalvisuals Active member

29POSTS

5 years ago

#23

LPgrl wrote:
crystalvisuals wrote:
Yes, it was quite swift for a weeks decision.
Why not the UK you ask? Well I earn more than this in the UK right now it's just that I wanted to try living somewhere new in Asia that had the potential to lay down some roots, had a blend of lower cost of living and great food, with opportunities to travel across asia. The UK is nice but the weather and cost of living is not great.

Hi Sorry I didn’t realise that it was 16 RM per months. Are you primary or secondary. I haven’t heard back and my first interview was 2 weeks ago. I’m thinking maybe they have found someone else.
I will have had my second interview 2 weeks this coming Friday. What would be the hold up? Surely they can’t still be interviewing.

Secondary

LPgrl Active member

25POSTS

5 years ago

#24

crystalvisuals wrote:
LPgrl wrote:
crystalvisuals wrote:
Yes, it was quite swift for a weeks decision.
Why not the UK you ask? Well I earn more than this in the UK right now it's just that I wanted to try living somewhere new in Asia that had the potential to lay down some roots, had a blend of lower cost of living and great food, with opportunities to travel across asia. The UK is nice but the weather and cost of living is not great.

Hi Sorry I didn’t realise that it was 16 RM per months. Are you primary or secondary. I haven’t heard back and my first interview was 2 weeks ago. I’m thinking maybe they have found someone else.
I will have had my second interview 2 weeks this coming Friday. What would be the hold up? Surely they can’t still be interviewing.

Hmmm. Not sure what the hold up would be. Time will tell so hang in there and keep applying. Why did you choose Malaysia?

It’s beautiful. An cheap lol is your school in KL the centre of Malaysia? I have been many times and feel that I want to explore and travel as much as I can and there would be the best option. I think UK schools are becoming tough with large class sizes. There seems to be nice and small manageable. So if you have been offered that and have no responsibility and just partner I’d happily move. Would you think about renting your home out?

Nemodot ViP

2128POSTS

5 years ago

#25

Hi first there is no visas for fiancee's, so I would suggest getting married first.

Secondly the chances of your fiancee getting a job in fashion are 1 in a million (I think that is a reserved job eg work permits will not be issued), although she could try the colleges eg Limkokwing that specialise in fashion and maybe she can get a job as a lecturer which would be far more likely.

She could do a CELTA (a TEFL cert) as well to maybe get a job teaching English, that could help with a lecturer job. Those can pay very low though, 2,500 RM a month (they fiddle the paperwork for work permits).

LPgrl Active member

25POSTS

5 years ago

#26

Yea I have heard that partners getting a job can be very hard unless you have some savings or willing to take a job on low pay.

crystalvisuals Active member

29POSTS

5 years ago

#27

LPgrl wrote:
crystalvisuals wrote:
LPgrl wrote:

Hi Sorry I didn’t realise that it was 16 RM per months. Are you primary or secondary. I haven’t heard back and my first interview was 2 weeks ago. I’m thinking maybe they have found someone else.
I will have had my second interview 2 weeks this coming Friday. What would be the hold up? Surely they can’t still be interviewing.

Hmmm. Not sure what the hold up would be. Time will tell so hang in there and keep applying. Why did you choose Malaysia?

It’s beautiful. An cheap lol is your school in KL the centre of Malaysia? I have been many times and feel that I want to explore and travel as much as I can and there would be the best option. I think UK schools are becoming tough with large class sizes. There seems to be nice and small manageable. So if you have been offered that and have no responsibility and just partner I’d happily move. Would you think about renting your home out?

I agree it is a beautiful country. My school is just outside KL in Cyberjaya.
Yes I will rent out my property. Are you from the UK too? will you rent out your property?

crystalvisuals Active member

29POSTS

5 years ago

#28

Nemodot wrote:
Hi first there is no visas for fiancee's, so I would suggest getting married first.

Secondly the chances of your fiancee getting a job in fashion are 1 in a million (I think that is a reserved job eg work permits will not be issued), although she could try the colleges eg Limkokwing that specialise in fashion and maybe she can get a job as a lecturer which would be far more likely.

She could do a CELTA (a TEFL cert) as well to maybe get a job teaching English, that could help with a lecturer job. Those can pay very low though, 2,500 RM a month (they fiddle the paperwork for work permits).

Thanks for this. Perhaps we should start a business there once we are a bit more setup? Yes she could do a teaching stint or perhaps do remote working from the UK. I don't want her to not have a job for her own sanity.

LPgrl Active member

25POSTS

5 years ago

#29

crystalvisuals wrote:
LPgrl wrote:
crystalvisuals wrote:

Hmmm. Not sure what the hold up would be. Time will tell so hang in there and keep applying. Why did you choose Malaysia?

It’s beautiful. An cheap lol is your school in KL the centre of Malaysia? I have been many times and feel that I want to explore and travel as much as I can and there would be the best option. I think UK schools are becoming tough with large class sizes. There seems to be nice and small manageable. So if you have been offered that and have no responsibility and just partner I’d happily move. Would you think about renting your home out?

I agree it is a beautiful country. My school is just outside KL in Cyberjaya.
Yes I will rent out my property. Are you from the UK too? will you rent out your property?

I am not sure yet. As I might go the Middle East I’ve heard they also do very good packages as well. The options are broader. I’m just thinking Malaysia is a bit far and worry about family at home.

micern Active member

40POSTS

5 years ago

#30

Nemodot wrote:
Hi first there is no visas for fiancee's, so I would suggest getting married first.

Secondly the chances of your fiancee getting a job in fashion are 1 in a million (I think that is a reserved job eg work permits will not be issued), although she could try the colleges eg Limkokwing that specialise in fashion and maybe she can get a job as a lecturer which would be far more likely.

She could do a CELTA (a TEFL cert) as well to maybe get a job teaching English, that could help with a lecturer job. Those can pay very low though, 2,500 RM a month (they fiddle the paperwork for work permits).

There are spouse visas for people who can document that they have lived together for an extended period of time (+2 years).

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crystalvisuals Active member

29POSTS

5 years ago

#31

Hi Sue
I was wondering what you thought of my situation which is similar to the original poster
I have a partner who will not be working
I will be earning 16,000 a month
accommodation paid for on-campus or 2500
relocation allowance
medical etc.

Is this ok for us both?

Sarrah Fle New member

3POSTS

4 years ago

#32

Hi everyone,

I've been reading that conversation with great interest. I am a French french teacher (Masters in French as a Foreign Langage), and I am looking to relocate with my son.

I have a question: How do you find teaching vacances? Because I applied in a few international schools and I never got any response. I must say, I "randomly" sent my application to schools that I liked. I am not sure how things work over there.

Are there some good job agences? Which are they?

Thanks

Nemodot ViP

2128POSTS

4 years ago

#33

Hi you are a bit late to apply! Recruiting season is mostly November to March, eg Nov 2020 to March 2021 for Aug-Sep 2021 start.

TES jobs section is a good place to start. And or join Search Associates.

You do getast minute vacancies, as people drop out so check daily but note this is a difficult year as there is a pandemic and visas are hard to get.

You mention a son? Of you are a single mum (or dad) then schools dont lime this as one child with a free (often) place and only one teacher. They prefer teaching couples. Made worse as French isn't an in demand subject.

If you are highly experienced try the better schools and look at what you can offer as extra curricular activities. That makes a difference.

Sarrah Fle New member

3POSTS

4 years ago

#34

Thanks for the reply, I will check those sites!

I know it is going to be challenging with that Covid situation... It takes time to have a solid plan anyway. Even if I have to wait until sept 2022, I am ok with it.

I am sorry, I don't really get what you said about being a single parent, can you explain again please? I was assuming that my child would get free schooling in the school I work in...

I don't have a 10 years experience in teaching, but i am definitely highly educated and motivated!

rogwilde68 Member

10POSTS

4 years ago

#35

Bonjour.
In a Brit guy been many countrues and see you have talent and desire.I would suggest avoid the schools and suchlike and begin pitching YOU as an asset to private people.French I too love but demand is niche..maybe do a package cooking and lsnguage and culture or fashion....you mrntioned u have a bit of time xo network yourself. Avoid Malaysia.Its cooked dry and nobody is welcome frankly.The beaches are ok but theres more beaches than welcoming faces.Religion and corruption are destroying the country.Try Korea Taiwan Singapore...bon voyage and good luck

Nemodot ViP

2128POSTS

4 years ago

#36

You didn't mention a husband or partner, that makes a difference! Eg if you have a working husband you are following then easier to get a last minute job as you would already be in Malaysia and visa regs allow skilled spouses to get easier work permits.

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Sunshine212 New member

4POSTS

4 years ago

#37

Hello Everyone,

I have been offered a teacher of English role at an international school in Malaysia (COBIS registered) however, I really do not know if I have being offered a good package. It would be me and my husband moving over with the possibility of staying permanently. I would really like to work in Malaysia and gain some international experience, I have been keeping and eye out in Malaysia for some time so quite keen to get out there. I have PGCE in English and have been teaching for 4 years. The package being offered is:

Malaysia package

Salary: 12,945mr

Accommodation: 2500mr

Total = 15445

Relocation allowance: 3300mr

10 days accommodation is provided the school

Medical cover: For both the employee and dependent

Visa cost are covered for employee

Flight allowance: Employee and dependent

Leave: 6 days compassionate leave/14 days medical leave

2 year contract

Would really appreciate some help!

Thank you!

Sunshine212 New member

4POSTS

4 years ago

#38

@Nemodot Hello, did you clarify the salary with your friend? Whilst searching online, I found top international school offered somewhere between 9,800 -16,000 month 2022 before tax depending on experience, age level taught and qualifications.

Nemodot ViP

2128POSTS

4 years ago

#39

@Sunshine212

22,000 is the basic starter package at 1st tier schools, you seem to be going to a 3rd tier school judging from amount, and with inflation that's not a great salary really.

You can live off it, and if Malaysia is your dream then that's the cost of doing so, but don't ask others their salary then get miserable (seen that so many times)!

The only other thing is check out the school carefully. Some 3rd tier schools are great to work for some are pure living hell.

Any school paying c.10k is a sub third tier.