Site Search:
 
Get TEFL Certified & Start Your Adventure Today!
Teach English Abroad and Get Paid to see the World!
Job Discussion Forums Forum Index Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

EF Palembang

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Indonesia
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
NBF



Joined: 29 Aug 2004
Posts: 13

PostPosted: Wed Sep 15, 2004 5:41 pm    Post subject: EF Palembang Reply with quote

My partner and I are currently considering a teaching position with EF in Palembang, and were just wondering if anyone had any feedback regarding the school, the city, or life in Indonesia in general. Thanks.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
TEAM_PAPUA



Joined: 24 May 2004
Posts: 1679
Location: HOLE

PostPosted: Thu Sep 16, 2004 5:19 am    Post subject: 8 Reply with quote

Quote:
My partner and I are currently considering a teaching position with EF
say no more...help yourself now by avoiding this company like the plague.

Indonesia is incredible, despite recent (and not so recent) events, but leave EF Indonesian franchises well alone.



T_P Cool
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
NBF



Joined: 29 Aug 2004
Posts: 13

PostPosted: Thu Sep 16, 2004 5:20 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Update: We've actually been offered the position now, and would greatly appreciate ANY feedback that anyone has. Is it common for an employer in Indonesia to offer a job without a phone interview at least?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
gugelhupf



Joined: 24 Jan 2004
Posts: 575
Location: Jabotabek

PostPosted: Thu Sep 16, 2004 7:40 am    Post subject: Re: 8 Reply with quote

[quote="TEAM_PAPUA"]
Quote:

Indonesia is incredible, despite recent (and not so recent) events, but leave EF Indonesian franchises well alone.



T_P Cool


That's a bit unfair isn't it? There are some EF franchises in Indonesia I wouldn't touch with a long stick but there are also reputable ones - just look at other posts on the forum. You won't get rich working for them but there are some decent DoS's working for EF.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
El Llama



Joined: 12 Jul 2004
Posts: 70
Location: The Big Durian

PostPosted: Thu Sep 16, 2004 8:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

It is extremely uncommon to be offered a post without even speaking to anyone at the school and it would not be prudent to accept without knowing the kind of details that a phone interview could provide.

NBF, have you been offered the position directly, or through a recruiting agency? This smells like ESL Asia to me (may be going under a different name by now. Check this thread: http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=12155 ). Have you been asked to send off original documents or pay an "administration fee?"

Even if this is a direct offer from EF, it might be a good idea to at least have a chat with your prospective boss. Indonesia is desperate for teachers, but are you desperate for EF Palembang?

Good luck.

El Llama.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Joachim



Joined: 01 Oct 2003
Posts: 311
Location: Brighton, UK

PostPosted: Thu Sep 16, 2004 9:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hmmmmm, well the food from that region of Sumatra is delicious......

But other that that I can't think of any positives (bear in mind though, I never actually worked there, or for EF in Indonesia).
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
ls650



Joined: 10 May 2003
Posts: 3484
Location: British Columbia

PostPosted: Thu Sep 16, 2004 3:43 pm    Post subject: Re: 8 Reply with quote

gugelhupf wrote:
That's a bit unfair isn't it? There are some EF franchises in Indonesia I wouldn't touch with a long stick but there are also reputable ones - just look at other posts on the forum.


I agree. It's a franchise operation: some EF schools are bad but others are decent. I recommend the OP try to contact teachers who have worked or work now at this school to ask them directly what they think of the school.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
NBF



Joined: 29 Aug 2004
Posts: 13

PostPosted: Thu Sep 16, 2004 6:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sorry all, I've made a mistake with my original post. The position is with EF Cibubur, not Palembang. We had applied at both and I got them mixed up.
Anyway, the offer is directly from the DOS (I believe) at this particular school. They have not asked for anything in the way of documents or fees. My initial feeling was that it seemed a little too easy, and when the position was offered without asking for a phone interview I got that suspicious gut feeling.
We requested the email address and phone number from teachers currently at the school, and were provided with an email address, so we do have the option of some further feedback.
Thanks to everyone who has replied.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
AsiaTraveller



Joined: 24 May 2004
Posts: 908
Location: Singapore, Mumbai, Penang, Denpasar, Berkeley

PostPosted: Thu Sep 16, 2004 7:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

TEAM_PAPUA wrote:
All Chinese girls should be herded into a large field & SHAVED

T_P Cool


I wouldn't (and don't) trust any opinion from somebody who has that sentence as part of his signature.

Confused
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
AsiaTraveller



Joined: 24 May 2004
Posts: 908
Location: Singapore, Mumbai, Penang, Denpasar, Berkeley

PostPosted: Thu Sep 16, 2004 7:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

NBF:

I assume that you know that Palembang and Cibubur are worlds apart, although not that far by plane within Indonesia!

Palembang is a rather nice, medium-sized city that is the capital of the province of South Sumatra. Its main focal point is its river. There are nearby green parks and mountains to visit. The food from west and south Sumatra is famous all over Indonesia as being very spicy but extremely tasty.

Cibubur is part of the urban sprawl that is Jakarta, Indonesia's capital metropolis on the island of Java. Cibubur is actually a district in the 'city' of East Jakarta but is not too bad as far as urban places go. There are plenty of green spots. It is also home to military installations (including a notorious detention facility with torture) and major sporting events held at the Cibubur Scout Camp.

Also in Cibubur (or very close) is one of Indonesia's prime urban tourist destinations: Taman Mini Indonesia. This is a huge theme park that tries to reproduce the culture of each of Indonesia's provinces. Very kitsch, but a must-see.

Do a search on 'Cibubur' here on Dave's ESL Cafe. I think it came up recently in some discussion or other.

Hope this is helpful!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Winmar



Joined: 11 Feb 2003
Posts: 125
Location: Melbourne

PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2004 2:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hey that was a nice and helpful reply! Cool

Definitely find out from someone who's worked there what the school is like. Some EF franchises are horrible, but others are pretty good. Certainly pays to do your homework, as if the place turns out to be dodgy, there are always plenty of others which will take you.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
everybody_loves_chandler



Joined: 22 Nov 2004
Posts: 6

PostPosted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 2:44 am    Post subject: EF Palembang Reply with quote

hey folks,

I live in Palembang and run with the EF crew in the weekends. Tight bunch but as usual everyone has their hangups. The DOS is friendly and approachable. I've met the boss and she seems ok. I havent heard any complaints about her. The thing I have against working there is the 4 million rupiah a month. Its just not enough. With the market being as it is and the difficulty in supplying teachers for positions, for those of us already here, negotiating contracts is simply a must. They need us more than we need them.

DoC
Razz
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Indonesia All times are GMT
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Contact Dave's ESL Cafe
Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved.

Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group

Teaching Jobs in China
Teaching Jobs in China