Hourly-Paid Teacher

British Council; George Town; On-site; MYR 55,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

British Council in Penang, Malaysia is seeking an experienced English language teacher to promote quality teaching and effective learning of English while supporting the council's mission.

You will work with Young Learners, handle weekend teaching, deliver engaging lessons, and maintain high standards of assessment and feedback. A CELTA/Trinity CertTESOL and degree are required; 2 years post-cert experience preferred; salary paid hourly.

Qualifications

• Cambridge CELTA/Trinity CertTESOL TEFL or equivalent.
• University degree.
• 2 years post-certificate teaching experience.
• Experience teaching English to learners at young ages and safeguarding awareness.

Responsibilities

• Ensure teaching meets learner needs and Teaching Quality standards.
• Maintain positive relationships with customers and colleagues.
• Support teaching centre activities and British Council plans.
• Enhance the British Council's reputation as a world authority in ELT.
• Engage in continuous professional development and share best practices.

Skills

Subject knowledge

Engage learners

Inclusive environment

Lesson planning

Assessment & feedback

Resource management

Professional responsibilities

Education

Cambridge CELTA/Trinity CertTESOL TEFL or equivalent

University degree

Job description

We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. For over 90 years we have shaped brighter futures through education, arts, culture, language, and creativity.

We work with people in over 150 countries and reach over 700 million people.

We connect. We inspire.

Pay Band: Hourly-Paid

Country/Location: Penang, Malaysia

Department: Teaching

Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract, 1 year

Closing Date: Thursday, 5th November 2026 - 23:59 Malaysia Time (GMT +8)

Role Purpose

To promote quality teaching and effective learning of English while supporting the wider aims of the British Council and its cultural relations mission in Malaysia.

Role Accountabilities

To ensure teaching meets learner needs, Teaching Quality standards and organisational expectations; maintain positive relationships with customers and colleagues; support teaching centre activities and British Council plans; enhance the British Council's reputation as a world authority in English Language Teaching (ELT); and engage in continuous professional development and the sharing of best practices.

Role specific skills, knowledge and experience

Essential Requirements

Qualifications

• Cambridge CELTA/Trinity CertTESOL TEFL or equivalent .
• University degree.

Knowledge and Skills

• Demonstrate subject knowledge.
• Engage and motivate learners.
• Create a positive and inclusive learning environment.
• Plan and deliver coherent lessons.
• Make use of assessment and feedback.
• Manage teaching and learning resources.
• Uphold professional responsibilities and values.

Experience

• 2 years post-certificate i.e. Cambridge CELTA/Trinity CertTESOL experience.
• Relevant experience of teaching English as a foreign language in young learners
• Demonstratable knowledge of safeguarding and SEND or commitment to develop in this area

Experience in teaching relevant age groups:

• Primary aged 6 to 10.
• Lower Secondary aged 11 to 14.
• Upper Secondary aged 15-17.

Desirable Requirements

• Recognised diploma in EFL i.e. DELTA/ Trinity Diploma.
• PGCE/B.Ed in Primary or relevant subject.
• TYLEC or YL extension to CELTA.
• Relevant Master's Degree.
• Experience of teaching online.
• Pre-school teaching (age 5-6).
• Experience of teaching Exam preparation courses - (Cambridge, IGCSE, IELTS). Experience of teaching Adult learners

Important information:

• Language: Full mastery of English across all four skills (CEFR C2 level), equivalent to IELTS Academic Band 8 or 9 in each section, with certification, to ensure effective written and spoken communication across British Council systems and international operations.
• Work schedule: Teachers in Penang are expected to work both weekend days. Most teachers are currently timetabled to teach YL courses, (up to 12 hours across Saturdays and Sundays) with lighter weekdays. While there is some limited adult teaching the bulk of the teaching is with Young Learners.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and we welcome applications from all sections of the community as we believe that a diverse workforce gives added depth to our work. The British Council is a Disability Confident Employer. The Disability Confident scheme helps challenge attitudes, increase understanding of disability, and ensure staff are drawn from the widest possible pool of talent and we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the minimum role requirements. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities.

Safeguarding Statement

The British Council is committed to safeguarding children, young people, and adults who we work with. We believe that all children and adults everywhere in the world deserve to live in safe environments and have the right to be protected from all forms of abuse, maltreatment and exploitation as set out in article 19, UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) 1989. Appointment to positions where there is direct involvement with vulnerable groups will be dependent on thorough checks being completed in line with legal requirements and with the British Council's Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children.