Job Discussion Forums

[mysterytrain]

[bradleycooper]

[mysterytrain]

[MadRiley]

Just as MT thinks that the sex scandal case is important to the public, BC thinks that the visa situation is something important to teachers. People here should spend less time in bickering and more time on providing information.

[mysterytrain]

Yep, can't disagree with that. Now just take a look at the first few pages of this thread, back and forth between P / BC and "Markustm". You don't call that "bickering" from both sides?

[bradleycooper]

[mysterytrain]

Okay. I'm on record in another thread in this forum agreeing with you about the importance of having legal status to work in Indonesia (IMTA + KITAS). That was several months ago, and it seems the same issue is still being beaten post-mortem until today.

Here's what's clear to me: you have turned this into your own personal, perpetual harangue here, which is currently spread over at least a dozen threads, if not more than that.

I don't know who "Markustm" is, but it does seem clear he or she is or has been affiliated with TBI in some way, as a teacher, DOS, manager, or whatever. Same sort of answer for Jef Dam. If these or other individuals are advocating working illegally in Indonesia and / or deceiving prospective teachers, they are certainly wrong in doing so, and you have every right to point that out.

However, it seems clear that there is some kind of personal issue here which goes back quite a way and has resulted in a couple of posters basically sitting on this forum like mother hens guarding their chicks. It has been mentioned by newer posters here that the atmosphere of bickering over these points is a "turn-off" and on the whole unhelpful to their needs.

My opinion? It's overkill, and it makes the whole Indonesia forum look a bit silly, as John Cleese used to say. Constant reiteration and regurgitation of the same point makes it an "ex-parrot", at some point, and I think that point was reached here some time ago. Have a nice day.

[p1randal]

Thank you Mysterytrain...I hate even checking this thing as I know it is just a select few complaining about TBI over and over again. Here are solutions..

1. Get qualified so you don't need to take language mill jobs.

2. Shut up.

3. The end

[MadRiley]

[p1randal]

I guess maybe I have a more relaxed attitude when it comes to this and visas. Things take forever here and almost everything has vague legality. If this is something that bothers you (right or wrong) then Indonesia is not the country for you. Complaining about it on a message board is not going to change anything. I have a KITAS but in the past I have worked without one and may have to in the future. I trust my employer and know they are just dealing with the Government BS that we all deal with.

I am not really concerned about unqualified people coming here on a gap year to do whatever. I think you should at have (Starting at the lowest):
1. English Degree
2. English Teaching Degree
3. MA TESOL/Applied Ling/Education/Linguistics

If only people who were qualified got jobs they would be forced to up the salaries for everyone or go out of business or hire locals and see how that business model works.

There are a ton of good schools who will get you a KITAS eventually..

Bogor Raya
BINUS
Penabur
Sinarmas
Bina Bangsa

In the end if you want something "by the book" Indo is not for you

[ExpatLuke]

I read this entire thread and had a good laugh for most of it. Some of you really seem like you're green travelers and efl teachers. Of course SE Asia has corruption and issues with visa. That's the nature of teaching in this region of the world. You can't compare SE Asia to Korea or Japan or China. East Asia is decades ahead of nearly every country in SE Asia. It would be a better comparison to compare teaching here to South America. The people who come to teach here don't do it for the money. They do it for the experience and the simple lifestyles.

If you're sitting there complaining about the low pay and visa corruption in SE Asia then you really have no business living here. Get out. Go to Korea which has the best salaries, savings, and benefits of any country outside of the Middle East.

Furthermore, Japan is an awful place to be teacher in terms of making money. Sure, you might make 3,000 usd a month, but you'll spend nearly all of it on day to day expenses. You'll put up with racist attitudes in almost every interaction with locals. You'll be treated as a second class TA who can't be trusted to run a class themselves.

It doesn't matter if you make $1,000 month teaching in SE Asia because you're still saving more than you would in Japan. And you're probably enjoying a more luxurious lifestyle while you do it.

[princesss]

Indonesia has been plagued by endemic corruption which is costing several billions of dollars a year in losses to the state. Many reformers have risked their lives to report on ythis problem and bring corrupt politicians to justice. It is a deadly serious issue and not a laughing matter. Millions live in poverty because of it. Efforts to clean up the state deserve our support.

The reality is that most Asian countries have tightened their regulations a lot in recent years for Tefl teachers. Yes corruption is still prevalent but there are much fewer opportunities for people with Photoshopped degrees than their once were.

[SiThep]

[EFL Educator]

The whole ASEAN region is now getting very strict with illegal English teachers. Indonesia will be no exception Don't be surprised if you see a lot more English teachers in jail these days in Indonesia...working illegally is now becoming a serious crime. For every rule there is another rule to be made...we are now living in a world of rule after rule in the TEFL profession! This is unfortunately a sign of the times.

[mysterytrain]