Teach, Explore, Grow:
Your Placement with Gotoco
FULLY FUNDED ENGLISH TEACHING PROGRAMME IN MALAYSIA
Spend several weeks living in Kuala Lumpur, teaching English to young people from across Asia and experiencing life in one of Southeast Asia’s most exciting cities.
Enrol on a sustainability course to access full funding for your international placement, including return flights within budget, accommodation, meals, cultural activities and support.
You’ll join other young people from the UK, teach international students at an English centre, explore Malaysia in your free time, and come home with new friends, new skills and a lot of stories.
Save these dates:
29th December 2026 – 18th February 2027
*Places are limited and applications are competitive.
Why join?
- Teach English at an international language centre in Kuala Lumpur.
- Get funding for return flights, accommodation, meals, cultural activities, support and more.
- Meet young people from across Asia and make teaching fun through games, activities and cultural exchange.
- Explore Malaysia, make new friends and experience living abroad.
- Develop confidence, independence, communication and leadership skills.
- Gain substantial international teaching experience.
- Travel abroad with the support of our experienced team.
What you’ll gain
You’ll take part in an intensive teaching placement that is designed for you to learn and develop new skills while living independently in Malaysia and experiencing real cultural immersion.
What could my time in Malaysia look like
1. Arrival & Orientation
On arrival in Kuala Lumpur, transport will be arranged from the airport to your accommodation and new home for the coming 6 weeks.
You’ll have a few days to settle in, meet your fellow participants, and get to know your new area. You’ll also receive an introduction to the teaching programme and training to help you get ready for the classroom.
2. Teach & Experience Life in Kuala Lumpur
You’ll live in Kuala Lumpur and teach English to young international students at a local learning centre.
You’ll be with the same students over several weeks, leading classes, running activities and getting to know them along the way. You’ll have guidance and a curriculum to prepare from, but plenty of freedom to bring your own ideas and personality into the classroom.
Outside of teaching, you’ll have time to experience life in Kuala Lumpur, from exploring the city and trying new food to meeting people and joining weekend activities.
3. Final Days: Explore More of Malaysia
Once your teaching placement finishes, you’ll have a few final days to switch pace and discover another side of Malaysia.
You’ll travel to Penang, where you’ll get to explore George Town and enjoy a mix of food, heritage and nature. This will be spent with your fellow participants, combining organised cultural experiences with plenty of free time to explore independently.
Practical Information
Pre-Departure: Preparation and Training
Before you travel to Malaysia, our experienced team of coordinators will help you prepare and make sure you’re ready to make the most of your time abroad.
Having once been in your shoes, our coordinators understand exactly what it’s like to take the leap and join a programme, and are perfectly placed to guide you every step of the way.
We’ll make sure you’re ready before you travel, through:
Country guide – practical tips on what to pack and what to expect
Online induction webinars – meet your group and get ready for your time in Malaysia
Group chat – connect with fellow participants before you travel
TEFL teacher training course – start learning online before your placement
Ongoing support – our team is available whenever you need it
Flight booking and visa guidance – to make your experience as smooth as possible
Teaching Placement
Your core placement takes place at a learning centre in Kuala Lumpur, where you’ll help young international students build their confidence using English. Your students will come from countries including China, Korea, Japan, and Kazakhstan, so between your students and the Malaysian staff you’ll learn a lot about many different countries and cultures.
You’ll usually be involved from around 9am–4pm on weekdays, although exact schedules and teaching responsibilities can vary from week to week. This is a hands-on placement. Rather than simply assisting another teacher, you’ll take significant responsibility for your own students and sessions.
Your hosts say the following: “At our summer camp, language learning is active, social, and creative. We deliver a blended learning experience, anchored by CEFR-aligned interactive textbooks on smart screens, while giving you the freedom to adapt content and let your unique teaching personality shine. From interactive grammar games and collaborative student projects to theatrical role-plays and vibrant arts and crafts, our classrooms are designed for teachers who love turning language acquisition into an adventure.“
Accommodation and Meals
Accommodation
During your placement, you’ll stay in shared accommodation in Kuala Lumpur with other Gotoco participants.
You should expect to share a bedroom with one or two other participants, with your own separate bed. All necessities will be provided, including hot water and wi-fi. Your teaching location will usually be around 20–30 minutes from where you are staying, and transport to and from the programme will be arranged.
During the end-of-programme trip, accommodation will normally be hostel or dormitory-style.
Meals
Rather than being served set meals, you’ll receive a meal stipend to purchase your own food.
The stipend is designed to cover normal local-style meals and gives you the freedom to explore Kuala Lumpur’s huge variety of restaurants, food courts and local dishes rather than eating in the same place every day.
Kuala Lumpur has plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, although there may be less variety and some specialist food can be more expensive.
If you have food allergies, you’ll be responsible for choosing suitable meals yourself, but we can support you with practical preparation such as translated allergy cards.
Support
We’ll support you throughout your programme, from pre-departure preparation through to your time in Malaysia. Once you arrive, your local hosts will be there to support you on the ground, while our team remains available remotely throughout your placement. You’ll have the independence to make the most of your experience, with support available whenever you need it.
Visa and Vaccinations
Visas
- If you hold a UK passport, no visa is required and you may enter Malaysia visa-free.
- If you hold a passport for a country other than the UK, you may require a visa. You will be guided on this through the application and pre-departure processes, and you are responsible for any related costs and obtaining the visa in advance.
Vaccinations
Before you travel, you will need to check that your travel vaccinations are up-to-date. You should speak to your local healthcare provider about what vaccinations you need.
For Malaysia, you generally need your standard travel vaccinations, such as Hep A and Hep B, Typhoid and Tetanus.
If you meet criteria for disadvantaged learners, you will be able to access funding support for the visa and vaccinations. However, you will need approval in advance and there is a limit on the funding available, meaning that more expensive vaccinations, such as for Rabies, may not be covered.
You can see more info about the vaccinations recommended for Malaysia on this link: https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/countries/malaysia
How to qualify
1. Enrol on a course with our training partner
Enrol on the Level 1 Introduction to Sustainability course (cost £330) with Momentous Learning. You’ll learn about the UN Sustainable Development Goals and how they apply to Malaysia.
2. Become eligible for the Malaysia placement
Once enrolled on the course, you’ll be eligible for the funded programme. We will invite you to enrol on the course through us once your place is confirmed.
3. Travel, teach, and grow abroad
Join a cohort of like-minded people and embark on a new adventure in Malaysia, with funding covering return flights, accommodation, meals, cultural activities, and your TEFL course.
Note: Applying to Momentous Learning independently doesn’t automatically guarantee your place with us.
What the funding covers
What does the funding include?
When joining this programme, You’ll receive fully funded:
✔ Cultural and training programme, including your placement at a supportive Language Centre
✔ Meals and accommodation whilst in-country for the duration of your programme
✔ Flights to and from your programme start and end point (up to budget limit)
✔ TEFL training and certification (optional – see below for more info)
✔ Cultural activities and language support
✔ Essential in-country travel
✔ Personal and community support, including 24/7 support for emergencies from our team
✔ Travel/health insurance
✔ Pre-departure and post-programme support
✔ Life-long memories!
You will be responsible for any personal spending while abroad (e.g. snacks or souvenirs) and any pre-departure preparation costs not covered above (e.g. DBS, vaccinations, any visa costs).
What extra funding is available for learners from disadvantaged backgrounds?
If you meet the funding body’s criteria for learners from disadvantaged backgrounds, you will also be eligible for funding to support certain pre-departure costs.
Extra Funding Available
This funding can only be used for the below costs and is capped at £135 per learner:
✔ Passport
✔ Visa (not usually required for Malaysia)
✔ Vaccinations
✔ Additional insurance (if necessary)
✔ Health check (if required)
You will need prior approval to be reimbursed for any of the above costs if you meet the criteria for disadvantaged learners.
Eligibility for Extra Funding
The criteria for learners from disadvantaged backgrounds is listed below. If you believe you meet these criteria, you will be asked to provide evidence as part of the application and pre-departure processes.
The funding body’s criteria is:
- someone with an annual income of £32,000 or less
- someone who receives universal credit or income-related benefits because they are either financially supporting:
- themselves
- themselves and someone who is dependent on them and living with them, such as a child or partner
- someone with experience of being in care or who is a care leaver – including anyone who is or has been in care, or from a looked after background, at any stage of their life
- someone who is a carer, meaning anyone who both:
- looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction, and cannot cope without their support
- is not paid for this care
- someone who has previously been eligible for free school meals
- a refugee or an asylum seeker
- someone whose home address up to the age of 18 was in an area of low progression to higher education
- someone whose home address up to the age of 18 was defined as a deprived area in government definitions
- someone who has lived in council housing
- someone who has experience of the justice system
How does the flight funding work?
For this programme, your flights will be funded up to a generous maximum budget limit.
To join the programme, there will be a £450 flight deposit. This is to ensure you are committed to the programme and taking the flight that’s booked for you. This will be returned when you complete the programme and an online form.
You will be sent full details about flight bookings during the pre-departure process, and we will guide you through everything.
Please note that most flights will include a layover on your way to the final programme location.
*For learners from disadvantaged backgrounds, the deposit will be reduced to £250
When can I go?
Our Malaysia dates are:
29th December 2026 – 18th February 2027
Places fill quickly, so apply now!
How do I apply?
How do I join?
You can apply now! Simply click the ‘Apply Now!’ button below to get started!
In the application form, you’ll be asked to:
- Answer some questions about your motivations to apply
- Provide some basic information and upload your cv
- Select your location and date preferences
- Record a self-introduction video
Note: Once you’ve submitted your application, please expect to hear back from our team within 2 weeks.
Are there any eligibility requirements?
This is an entry-level programme, so no teaching experience or qualifications are necessary! We’ll give you the training and support you need to thrive.
All you need to apply is to:
- Be 18 or over at the time your international programme starts
- Be resident and have the right to work in the UK
- Be an advanced-level English speaker, e.g. a native speaker or otherwise have native-level English.
- Have a clear criminal record (not all prior convictions are immediately excluded. If you have a criminal record, please contact us)
- Be available and excited to travel to Southeast Asia!
Are applications competitive?
Earlier applications are prioritised, but our partner in Malaysia is selective. While the programme is entry-level, your self-introduction video should show off your enthusiasm and commitment, and it’s a good idea to include any experience, even informal, with kids in your application, along with any extracurriculars that let us know who you are, even if they’re not directly relevant. If you’re not selected by our Malaysia partner, then we’ll be able to offer you an opportunity on one of our other country programmes.
Meet your experienced host: Gotoco
Our programmes in Malaysia are delivered by our placement partner, Gotoco. We have the same leadership team – Further Afield brings Gotoco’s international opportunities to Further Education providers and students.
Gotoco has over a decade of experience in running international work and teaching placements for over 5,000 students from the UK. You can learn all about Gotoco and their international placements on their website. Or check out their Instagram to see a glimpse of what your programme will be like.
Gotoco, our placement partner has nearly 1,000 4-5* reviews on Trustpilot. See below for testimonials from former placement participants.
Sophia - Summer 26
Malaysia
I think the programme has benefitted me greatly. Travelling to and exploring a new place has improved my confidence, and working with my students broadened my perspective and gave me moments that I will always remember. I found the programme so enjoyable and feel incredibly grateful to have been provided with such an opportunity to see the world.
Stanley - Summer 2026
Malaysia
It is the best way to explore a new country and really get to know a culture in an affordable, professionally enriching way. Also, heaps of fun with other Gotocoers on the side. I enjoyed my experience so much that I now want to teach English in the future.
Nina - Summer 2026
Malaysia
I had a great time in Malaysia and really enjoyed both my time teaching and time exploring the city. It is a great opportunity to visit and live in a different country and get to know what it is like to work abroad.
Isaac - Summer 2026
Malaysia
It has benefited me in increasing my independence, my confidence and ability to make new friends. It was great fun and teaching is a fantastic thing to do in terms of personal and long-term development.