A Chat with Daniel Hurtado, Academic Manager at ELC Malaysia

Meet Daniel Hurtado , our Academic Manager who has started with us in 2019. He has shifted his career from the USA to Malaysia. And along the way, built a team of highly qualified teachers who continue to transform students and prepare them for the future.?

Read on.

1. What made you decide to become an educator?

Daniel Hurtado : My journey into education began unexpectedly through my family's experience hosting exchange students from Japan in California back when I was in high school. I discovered a real joy in helping these students develop their English skills and adapt to life in a new country. As a high school student passionate about teaching, I was the president of our future teachers' club and initially dreamed of teaching English in Japan, so much so that I studied Japanese as part of my university studies. These early experiences, combined with my background in community development, naturally led me to education.

My previous career in community development was fundamentally about empowering people and helping them reach their potential. Teaching English is an extension of that mission. I transitioned from supporting community growth to directly supporting individual growth through language learning. I now teach English to international students at ELC, and I love saying that while I didn't end up teaching in Japan, I'm teaching Japanese students in Malaysia. It's a beautiful full-circle moment. What truly drives me is the same passion that motivated my community development work: helping people reach their full potential through empowerment, whether that's through achieving an IELTS goal or building stronger, more connected communities.

2. Why did you choose Malaysia as your career base?

Daniel Hurtado : My connection to Malaysia began during university in California, where I first met Malaysian students and visited the country several times. What truly drew me here was Malaysia's remarkable cultural diversity—a place where multiple cultures are celebrated and preserved with genuine pride.

As someone from a sunny part of the United States, I was immediately attracted to Malaysia's warm climate as well as its incredible cuisine. But professionally, Malaysia offers something unique for English educators. It's a global crossroads that attracts international students seeking an English-immersive environment. Here, I can teach students from around the world, all in one place, in a multicultural setting that I genuinely love.

Malaysia isn't just a workplace for me; it's a vibrant, dynamic environment that aligns perfectly with my personal and professional aspirations.

3. What are your goals for the school?

Daniel Hurtado : At ELC, our goals center on creating an empowering, inclusive learning environment. We're committed to supporting students' language development while cultivating a sense of belonging. This means creating spaces where students from around the world - and both local and international teachers - feel welcomed, celebrated, and supported - a home away from home.

My vision is for ELC to continue to be recognized not just for academic excellence, but for our ability to develop global citizens who can thrive in multicultural environments. By supporting both our students and our diverse teaching staff, we create opportunities for mutual learning and growth.

4. What are your hopes for the students?

Daniel Hurtado : My hope is that students develop far more than just English language skills. I want them to build meaningful study skills, boost their confidence in cross-cultural interactions, and cultivate an enduring curiosity about the world. Whether they're young professionals or retirees, my goal is to inspire continuous learning and openness to new perspectives, cultures, and experiences.

At ELC, we're not just teaching English—we're preparing students to be lifelong learners and global citizens.

Daniel Hurtado ’s leadership and international experience have made a lasting impact on ELC Malaysia. His commitment to creating an inclusive, empowering, and culturally rich environment has transformed ELC into more than just a language school — it’s a place where students from all over the world come to grow as individuals and global citizens.

If you're considering joining this diverse and thriving school community, ELC might just be the perfect place to start your journey.