Teaching Abroad Direct
With its buzzing modern capital of Kuala Lumpur, a sunny, tropical climate and plenty of opportunities to discover nature and experience a different culture, teaching in Malaysia is becoming a popular choice for many. The country has become an increasingly popular destination for expats, retirees and digital nomads in recent decades. With its modern infrastructure, high standard of living and relatively affordable costs, it's an ideal choice for people looking to spend an extended period of time working abroad as a teacher and enjoy a new cultural experience. The country's rich diversity is also reflected in its food, which is widely regarded as some of the best in Southeast Asia.
Demand for English and teachers of other subjects is greatly on the rise, with the Malaysian education sector growing rapidly. As a result, more teaching roles are available for teachers coming into the country from abroad. Requirements for teaching in Malaysia are selective, and international schools in particular are always looking for qualified, passionate teachers across a diverse range of subjects like English, science, mathematics, STEM, technology and physical education.
For those looking to grow their professional careers, Malaysia provides plenty of opportunities. Due to Malaysian work visa requirements, foreign teachers need to have a professional teaching qualification to take up a job. This ensures that international teachers are highly experienced and well qualified, and the schools who hire them will also reflect these high standards. Malaysian schools are also supportive of professional development, offering courses and chances for career progression. They also encourage teachers to share their additional skills, interests and passions with students.
Although there's demand for English teachers in Malaysia, opportunities are generally less plentiful than in some neighbouring Southeast Asian countries. Securing a teaching position often requires candidates to meet specific qualification and visa requirements, making the job market more competitive. As a result, Malaysia tends to appeal less to short-term travellers and more to individuals seeking a longer-term move, offering the chance to establish themselves professionally and build a stable teaching career.
Southeast Asia has become an increasingly popular destination for international teachers, particularly in Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. The growing number of international schools across the region has created a strong demand for qualified teaching staff, attracting applicants from countries such as the UK, the United States and Australia.
Education in Malaysia is undergoing many developments and challenges. The international school sector in Malaysia has expanded rapidly in recent years, providing both expats and local families with a greater range of educational options. According to ISC Research, there were 287 international schools operating in Malaysia in January 2020, educating approximately 107,100 students through English-medium or bilingual programmes. This represented a 43% increase in the number of international schools over a six-year period, highlighting the growing demand for international education across the country. Much of this growth has been concentrated in the Klang Valley and Putrajaya regions, with enrolment increasing particularly strongly in mid-priced international schools.
A larger number of Malaysian families are choosing to enrol their children in their local international school, with many choosing to enrol them from early years and onwards, while others join later for secondary education. There are two main reasons for this increase. A first is a general dissatisfaction with Malaysia's public schools, and a second is that international schools give children the opportunity to learn English and interact with other children from different countries. Students also have the chance to be taught by expatriate teachers with international skills, cultural awareness and knowledge, and to follow respected international curricula. Students in international schools can take courses leading to examinations that prepare them well for higher education options overseas and global careers in a variety of industries.
Previously, there used to be limits on the number of Malaysian students an international school could enrol, but this cap was lifted back in 2012. By just 2013, Malaysian students represented the largest proportion of the student body at international schools across the country, with demand from local families continuing to grow.
According to analysis conducted in December 2019 by ISC Research for its Market Intelligence Report of International Schools in Malaysia, 45% of children at premium international schools in the country (i.e. the most expensive in terms of school fees), are Malaysian. Other students come from countries including the UK, South Korea, China, America, Australia and India. In Malaysia’s mid-market international schools (for school fees), Malaysian children make up 65% of the total enrolment.
Based on ISC Research’s 2025 South Eastern Asia Intelligence Report, the South East Asian international school market has surged in recent years, with 15% per cent of the world’s international schools now located in this region.
The report also reveals that applications for teaching roles in Malaysia have risen by almost 30%, increasing from 2,939 in 2023 to 3,818 in 2025. Similar trends have been observed in other areas across Southeast Asia. In Thailand, applications increased from 6,606 in 2023 to 7,936 in 2024, before declining slightly to 7,203 in 2025. TES suggests that this reduction reflects a smaller overall pool of UK applicants seeking international positions rather than a diminished interest in Thailand itself. Between 2018 and 2023, the number of international schools across South East Asia increased from 1,600 to 1,940. These figures are indicative of the continued expansion of the international education sector across the region.
There are plenty of teaching job opportunities in Malaysia for teachers, regardless of specialism or subject, with the Malaysian education sector growing rapidly. International schools in particular are always looking for teachers in a variety of fields.
Many schools in Malaysia are also committed to teachers' career development and wellbeing, with support systems and professional development programmes in place including coaching and learning for teachers to develop new skills, open-door policies, fieldwork buddies and fortnightly meetings in which teachers can share best practices and reflect on goals.
Malaysia's cost of living is generally very low compared to other countries like the UK. You'll find that cities like Kuala Lumpur and Penang are more expensive than rural locations, but even big cities are far more affordable than many western countries.
Monthly rental costs in terms of renting an apartment in Kuala Lumpur are typically between MYR 1,500 and MYR 3,000, depending on the location and size of the property. Teachers can expect more spacious apartments than in other Asian cities, with free facilities like pools, gyms and tennis courts rolled into the package.
Local Malaysian cuisine is also healthy, delicious, cheap and easy to find. Street food can cost as little as MYR 5 (£0.92) to MYR 10 (£1.84) per meal, while dining at a mid-range restaurant might cost around MYR 30 (£5.53) to MYR 60 (£11.06) per person. Getting around major cities like Kuala Lumpur is very easy, with a good public transportation infrastructure and affordable monthly transport passes ranging from MYR 100 (£18.44) to MYR 200 (£36.88). Many teachers also opt to rent a car to get around, which can cost between MYR 1,000 (£184.38) to MYR 2,000 (£368.76) per month. Petrol is also far more affordable, with a full tank costing around MYR (£11.06).
According to Glassdoor, salaries for teachers can vary greatly depending the role taken. A typical teacher salary is between MYR 29K – MYR 41K/yr, while for a deputy chief teacher the range is MYR 45K – MYR 60K/yr. For a much more senior role like director of education, the range is between MYR 67K–MYR 105K/yr. It's worth keeping in mind that your salary will depend on your experience, level of teaching and the subject you teach. International schools and private institutions also tend to offer salaries on the higher end of the scale, while public schools may offer lower salaries.
In addition to your monthly salary, many schools offer benefits like health insurance, allowances towards rent and housing and end-of-contract bonuses. Some schools will also cover your airfare to and from Malaysia.
One of the biggest attractions of teaching in Malaysia is the excellent work-life balance and large volume of time off that teachers receive. Malaysia has one of the most generous holiday calendars, celebrating a wide range of religious, cultural and national events throughout the year. Public holidays include major celebrations such as Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Aidilfitri (Eid al-Fitr), Deepavali and Christmas, alongside national occasions like Merdeka Day (Independence Day) and Malaysia Day.
For teachers working in international schools, the benefits extend even further. Most international schools offer between 10 and 12 weeks of annual school holidays, including a substantial summer break, term breaks and additional long weekends spread across the academic year. When combined with Malaysia's many public holidays and cultural festivals, teachers can often enjoy time off almost every month. This provides plenty of opportunities to travel within Malaysia, explore neighbouring countries in Southeast Asia, or simply relax and recharge. The abundance of holidays is one of the reasons many teachers find Malaysia to be an enjoyable and rewarding destination for living and working.
With Kuala Lumpur airport as a major hub for international flights, Malaysia offers a fantastic base for exploring other countries, with short budget flights across Southeast Asia to places like Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam, and the Middle East just a few hours away. Malaysia itself is also filled with interesting places to explore, from the beaches of Langkawi, to the cultural heritage of Penang and the rainforests of Borneo. It’s very easy for teachers to take time out over the weekend to explore nearby islands.
Malaysia has very high standards when it comes to schooling, with employers looking for teachers who are professional, adaptable and genuinely passionate about education. Teachers are expected to be confident in a range of teaching environments with students of different ages, and use different approaches to create engaging, effective learning environments. Simply relying on the same activities and lesson plans year after year is unlikely to meet the expectations of modern Malaysian schools. Teachers should be knowledgeable in their subject area, well-prepared and committed to helping students achieve their full potential and the best results.
For those considering positions in international or bilingual schools, it's important to become familiar with the curriculum and examination systems used by prospective employers. Many schools follow internationally recognised programmes such as the British, American or International Baccalaureate (IB) curricula. Demonstrating an understanding of these frameworks can be a significant advantage during the application and interview process. Taking the time to research a school’s educational philosophy, curriculum and assessment methods will help you stand out as a candidate and show your commitment to the role.
Many full time teachers work between 30 and 40 hours per week, with around 20 to 24 of that time spent in the classroom. Part-time teaching opportunities are relatively uncommon, and teachers seeking a work visa will generally need to secure a full-time position with an established school.
Some teachers supplement their income with private tuition. This is only permitted if you hold the appropriate work visa and comply with local employment regulations. Working while on a tourist visa is strictly prohibited and can result in serious consequences.
Studies by Ummi Naiemah Saraih (2024) suggested that teachers in Malaysian secondary schools experience high stress levels due to large workloads and pressure placed on them from targets. Research from 2022 has also suggested that teachers often report experiencing mental and emotional fatigue, which leads to burnout, feeling emotionally exhausted and lower job satisfaction. Classroom management issues, particularly in overcrowded or under-resourced schools, can add to these levels of stress, posing a great challenge for teachers.
Malaysian immigration authorities won’t provide visas to people under the age of 27 or over the age of 50, so if you fall outside of this bracket age-wise, you will unfortunately have to look at other places to teach English abroad. These rules are in place to protect local Malaysian graduates (who are likely under the age of 27), to make sure they still have a job market filled with entry-level teaching positions after university. Teachers coming from overseas also need to have a few years of professional experience, which mainly rules out younger, newly-qualified teachers. For the upper limit of 50, the Malaysian government does this for work visas to manage long-term immigration, retirement strains and public healthcare resources. Occasionally, the cap is relaxed to the age of 65.
A main reason why finding a position in Malaysia can feel challenging is because the country boasts a phenomenally strong domestic education system. The vast majority of Malaysians grow up learning English from a young age, meaning many locals are perfectly well-equipped to teach the language themselves. Because the local talent pool is so deep, schools and language centres don't have that need to rely solely on foreign teachers. Naturally, this shrinks the volume of available expat jobs and makes the Malaysian foreign teacher job market highly competitive.
To stand out and find teaching opportunities more easily, you'll need a TEFL certificate (120 hours), a Bachelor's or Masters degree, and should have a passport from a country such as the UK, USA, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand or South Africa.
Securing a valid work visa (typically an Employment Pass) is an absolute must to work as a teacher in Malaysia. The good news is that you won’t have to tackle the mountain of paperwork completely alone. Your sponsoring employer takes care of the application process for you, given that the official government forms are written entirely in Bahasa Malaysia (Malay).
While the administrative track is relatively straightforward on paper, there is a fair amount of bureaucracy and the entire process can be incredibly time-consuming, often taking several weeks or even months to finalise. Before signing the paperwork for your visa, you must remember that the visa itself is tied to your employer. It isn't an open-ended work permit. Because your visa is bound to your sponsor, walking away from a toxic workplace or an unfulfilled contract is not as simple as handing in a two-week notice. If things don’t work out and you decide to quit, your current visa will be cancelled. If you want to transition to a different teaching position within Malaysia, your current employer must issue an official 'release letter'. Without this document, immigration won't allow a new school to sponsor you, which can put teachers in a tough position if a working relationship sours.
While this isn't a negative as such, it does take some adjustment. Malaysia is an Islamic country. It’s more liberal than other Islamic destinations, and teachers will need to observe local customs, which can be more restrictive compared to other western countries. Especially in rural locations, you have to be mindful of what you wear (dressing conservatively) and respecting that alcohol isn’t as widely available in some locations.
A Bachelor’s degree is a strict, non-negotiable legal requirement for securing a work visa in Malaysia. It can be in absolutely any field, though holding a Master’s degree will naturally bump you to the front of the line and often qualifies you for more higher-paying tiers of teaching role. Alongside your degree, you must hold a verified TEFL qualification of at least 120 hours. You can easily complete this course either online or in a traditional classroom setting before you begin your job hunt.
While native English speakers holding passports from countries like the UK, US, Canada, Australia or South Africa are typically prioritised by by hiring managers, it's perfectly possible to secure a job as a non-native speaker. However, your command of the language must be indistinguishable from a native speaker to pass the rigorous interview process.
Do also keep in mind that political restrictions can play a role in immigration; for instance, Israeli citizens are legally barred from obtaining work permits in Malaysia, meaning teachers from Israel will need to explore alternative destinations in the region.
A valid visa is typically arranged by the school that hires you. The most common type of visa for international teachers is the Employment Pass (EP), which allows you to live and work in Malaysia for between 1-2 years. To obtain a visa, you'll need a valid passport, proof of qualifications and employment contract from your chosen school and a medical health check (often required as part of the visa application).
To truly thrive in Malaysia as a teacher, you need to be easily adaptable, calm, open-minded and able to cope with high expectations. Malaysia is a beautiful mix of Malay, Chinese, Indian and indigenous cultures, with many traditions, world-class cuisines and languages. Teachers should have a genuine passion for education and see the competitive Malaysian market as a fantastic springboard to improve their teaching methods and skills. Being able to go with the flow is also an expat's greatest asset. It also helps to have an appetite for adventure, as Malaysia serves as the ultimate geographic gateway to Southeast Asia, where cheap, quick flights can land you in Thailand, Indonesia or Vietnam for a weekend getaway.
At Teaching Abroad Direct, we help UK teachers secure positions in international schools around the world, including in Malaysia.
Visit www.teachingabroaddirect.co.uk to learn more about teaching opportunities overseas and for teaching jobs in Malaysia and other locations across Asia.
Teaching Abroad Direct regularly speaks with British teachers currently working overseas.
Journalists interested in speaking with teachers currently working in other countries can contact us via [email protected]
