Job Discussion Forums

[adrian de la touche]

currently considering employment with the EFswara/jakarta group.
interested in any pros or cons that folks with experience of this group may have.
ta.

[papillon]

depends if you class yourself as a 'young punk' or not.

heard horrible things about these schools - mind you, I've heard horrible things about all EF school across the board in Indo - maybe Bali being the exception seeing as none of their staff ever raise their voices on this site

- could it be because they're living in paradise compared to the soulless minions running the Jakarta wheel?

[Salam]

I've not worked there so I can only pass on my limited experience of an interview with Mr Gusti. After the interview I went into the teachers' room and asked them what it was like working there. Every single one of them told me not to do it and many wished they could get out, and would have already if not for the fact they'd lose the money for their airfare.

Some EF schools are quite nice and treat the teachers well. Based on their information though I would not class the Swara Group schools in the "good EF" category.

[adrian de la touche]

cheers for those
would be keen to hear from inmates currently at the grindstone in these outlets. cash looks ok; hours dont..... dress code seems pointless. but are they a decent bunch open to logical rational dialogue or is one signing ones existence away.....

[papillon]

Just don't...

[gugelhupf]

My understanding is that the different schools in the Swara group are very different. The only one I know anything about is the BSD branch which seems reasonably well organised with a lowish staff turnover. Some of my senior high students go there after school and have no complaints, although I have to say it doesn't seem to have improved their English at all. By contrast, I have one student whose grades have improved remarkably this year and he has been going to some Indonesian private tutor at a quarter the price of EF!

[TEAM_PAPUA]

If it's your first teaching position and you're desperate to get either into Indonesia or to get onto the ESL bandwagon and gain some experience, then why not.

If you've done some teaching and have an educational background, look for something better.

[uilleannpiper]

I agree with TP. At least EF gives an otherwise largely unemployable (from the Indonesian side of things) person a chance to get their foot in the Indonesian door and experience the 'working life' to some degree. If I had a second chance though, I'd be doing an engineering degree and getting in that way. The $$$$ (and the houses they can afford) are soooo much bigger.

[a.lo]

[quote="Salam"] After the interview I went into the teachers' room and asked them what it was like working there. Every single one of them told me not to do it

I am surprised to see so many similar comments posted here from the same person.

I was recently in conversation with some friends from Jakarta, and I was reminded of a chap who came for an interview here about a year ago with Gusti at TJD, EF Swara. He later came into the staff room to get the low down on the shool. The comments the teachers gave at that point were negative to say the least. The school was going through a rough patch, there was a DoS in place, but whom we rarely saw (once or twice a month) through no fault of their own, and the teachers were left to rule the roost as it were, so pettiness and trivialities were in full bloom. Needless to say rules were disregarded and a negative atmosphere ensued.

Unfortunately for the applicant, he came at the wrong time and also got turned down for the position as children's clases weren't his preference.

As Ef Swara is a forward thinking group, they identified the problem and promptly resolved the issue. I can safely say things have changed a hell of a lot since then. We know have a Senior Teacher and DoS in situ. I guess previously the teachers felt pretty neglected, since the improvements have taken place though, we have had teachers sign up for another year.

The teacher motivation is high now, we are given good support, there is a strong professional team, the teachers work hard planning and delivering their lessons. Of course problems still occur, but where don't they? We don't always find solution to all the problems, but we do reach a compromise.

I personally don't have much time for sites lke these, as I prefer to focus my energy on good teaching, the fact is you generally only find disparaging comments about schools here. Comments from teachers who are happy generally don't exist, because they have nothing to complain about and get on with enjoying their work and life here.

I can vouch for both myself and the staff here that it's an interesting place to work, we work hard and are free to develop lessons, not to just stick with the book, after all a fun lesson is fun and educational for everyone. We enjoy a healthy social life together and at present we are enjoying the wold cup

[Salam]

Well I can safely say that wasn't me as I never followed up on the position after getting such a strong impression from the teachers.

I'm very happy to hear that things have changed and as I said at the beginning, I can only give the experience that I had. I have not worked for the school. Good to know things are on the improve there Gusti.

[Demonicat]

I recently started with EF Tebet (in the Swara group) and I've seen nothing but good things. Furthermore, most of the people here have been here for awhile, implying a lower staff turn-over. The thing that many don't like is that you are expected to work around a 40 hour week (only 17-23 teaching), but you'd be hard pressed to find a western full time job asking for less.

[Nilats]

Most of these employs depend upon your experience. If you have taught EFL before, then you will probably find the job easy. Most of the schools have excellent resources and the facilities are par for course. Compared with Eastern Europe, it is almost luxurious. A lot of the problems you find on these message boards are people whom have forgotten they are no longer working in the USA, UK, or EU. AND, have a pathetic disposition to teaching English. The staff is the staff. They won't bother you if you leave them alone. If something is bothering you, one, you should go home, two suck it up like the rest of us and move on.
I work for the EF group. I find it the easiest job i have had in the EFL business across four other nations around the world. The staff is pleasant and helpful. The other teachers are other people.

[TEAM_PAPUA]

[happy_me]

hummm.... EF, have herd more about them over the last 5 years than any school in indo but all i really know, a teacher 2 years ago was hit by her boss (a frind of mine) and they have more teacher-wanted ads than Sampoerna has smoking ads.... makes one wonder....

[adrian de la touche]

a word of warning..
when dealing with the toad gusti be aware that the swara group are advertising constantly for teachers because they are in the creek and they are without paddles[ certainly in bogor ].
now is the time to get these koret fellows to change their contracts.
you have bargaining power. ef bogor will have 4 native speakers and 7 non natives, this is from the group whose brochure gives reason no. 5 out of 8 that you should choose ef as the tantalising fact that all teachers are native speakers. it has been like this for a wee while and parents are starting to take note....much longer and doubtless the coffers will begin to sound hollower.
if offered a contract pay particular attention to how many saturdays they want you to work, how many hours they can ask you to work, and the fact that they can move you to any of their schools if needs be.also check out the reasons they give for being able to instantly dismiss you if they should so desire...
living in bogor working 6 days a week for not much money is not really a selling point when it comes to enticing employees; remember this and make the toads change..
a luta continua