Job Discussion Forums

ghost · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 1693 Location: Saudi Arabia

Just wondering what the vacation periods are in Indonesia, for a qualified teacher (B.A./B.Ed./M.A./Post Grad. in TESL) who wishes to teach in Indonesia (from September 2006) next year?

Do the National Plus schools have regular vacations in summer (July/August) and Christmas or Ramadan breaks?

In Taiwan, where this teacher currently teaches, the vacation is 2 months in summer (July/August) and those are paid if the teacher signs up for a second year, plus 3 weeks fully paid holiday at Chinese New Year - End of January/February....so in Taiwan it is a total of 11 weeks vacation per year, not counting the many National holidays which crop up with frequency.

As for salaries - this teacher makes over $2000 U.S. per month for teaching 12 contact hours per week at a Private High School, in Taichung, Taiwan.....do the National Plus schools have similar salaries and pay scales?

Thanks for any input on the number of vacations per year.

Ghost in Taichung, Taiwan

guruengerish · Joined: 28 Mar 2004 Posts: 424 Location: Australia

You're in for a shock if you think Indonesia is remotely near your current levels of vacation and salary.

The best I've had with private schools (EF etc) was the usual week off at the end of Rhamadan, a few days over Christmas, and then two weeks regular leave.

There are the usual public holidays of course, spread through the year, about 10.

kasihan deh loh · Joined: 26 Sep 2005 Posts: 28 Location: Jakarta

guru · Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Posts: 156 Location: Indonesia

Do the National Plus schools have regular vacations in summer (July/August) and Christmas or Ramadan breaks?

Yes. All up national plus schools have between 10- 11 weeks holidays a year + national one day holidays. 4 school terms. 3/5 weeks holidays June/July 3/4 weeks holidays Christmas 1 week ramadan, 1 week between school terms. That's probably the typical holidays for a national plus school. All holidays are paid.

As for salaries - this teacher makes over $2000 U.S. per month for teaching 12 contact hours per week at a Private High School, in Taichung, Taiwan.....do the National Plus schools have similar salaries and pay scales?

yes. probably more money here, but a full teaching load.

TEAM_PAPUA · Joined: 24 May 2004 Posts: 1679 Location: HOLE

PlasticPill · Joined: 22 Sep 2005 Posts: 51 Location: usa

I didn't know you could make that much in Taiwan just teaching English...looks like it's time to hit those boards again. Although I know those qualifications certainly add into the equation....

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

are there any university jobs in Indonesia? I would like to teach English at a university in Indonesia. I have a Master's and teaching experience.

gugelhupf · Joined: 24 Jan 2004 Posts: 575 Location: Jabotabek

There are very few university jobs for foreigners, and most of those that exist are funded by NGO's and international cooperation arrangements.

Indonesian university salaries are pathetic in the extreme, and there simply isn't the funding available to pay the hefty immigration and tax burden on foreign workers.

I know of the odd foreign lecturer whose university job is just a means of obtaining a visa to stay with a spouse who has a better paid job here. In one case I know a woman actually pays the foregner tax and KITAS fees herself then draws a salary that wouldn't feed a pet cat. Her husband earns enough to keep them both, she enjoys her work, and it is a lot less hassle than doing a visa run every five minutes.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

Thanks for the info. Looks like after Korea, I will have to go from teaching at a University to teaching at a language institute.

How is Indonesia anyways? What is the age of the average teacher?

guruengerish · Joined: 28 Mar 2004 Posts: 424 Location: Australia

I once applied for a teaching post at a prestigious Catholic Uni in Bandung.

I stepped past the BMWs and the Students' Mercedes, and duly had an interview. When I asked about the salary, it was way less than I was being paid as an English teacher at a private school.

When I queried how the other foreign teachers could survive on this (salary is paid only during term) I was told that their salaries were supplemented by their churches back in their own country!

Way to go!!!

TEAM_PAPUA · Joined: 24 May 2004 Posts: 1679 Location: HOLE

guruengerish · Joined: 28 Mar 2004 Posts: 424 Location: Australia

I thought most schools (by Govt regulation??) had a minimum age of 22.

I've rarely been at a school where teachers were as young as you suggest. Maybe the older ones have wisened up and don't go there now, in the two years since I left.

At my last school the average age of all four expat teachers was around 50!! Age range 35 to 65.

TEAM_PAPUA · Joined: 24 May 2004 Posts: 1679 Location: HOLE

It was my obvious poor attempt at humour Smile

Regarding average 'age' as opposed to average 'ability' I really don't know. This is my 3rd year in Indonesia (2 years - with a two year China 'sentence' away from Indonesia - and now my third year).

I have known teachers that range from 19 - late 60's (yes 19 employed by McEnglishFirst - but this was 3 years ago). Clearly, Indonesia has something for everybody regardless of age.

gugelhupf · Joined: 24 Jan 2004 Posts: 575 Location: Jabotabek

Well I know of a McEnglishfirst that is currently employing two 19 year olds. These teachers are so well below the minimum age threshold that even bribery can't get them a KITAS so the school sends them via Batam for a regular visa run. So desperate are they for staff...

As regards average teachers, I know some who have been around long enough to pick up skills and experience and are still, well, average.