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pauleslteacher1
Joined: 17 Mar 2007
Posts: 108
Location: Indonesia
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 Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2007 9:53 am Post subject: So Many Complaints......... Anything Good? |
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I have been teaching in Indonesia for slmost 10 years. It ihas been a very rewarding experience and alot of fun too. Sure, I have been at a couple of bad schools but overall teaching here has been excellent.
Okay.. .I read this forum on a regular basis, basically to see what's happening and if there are any positive things I can get. But the majority of the stories are negative, depreesing and "out in left field"....
It seems that there are alot of unhappy teachers around that should be looking for other occupations.... I mean if you "land" in a lousy school (of which there are many) you work your year and then look for something else. That's it...Move on.... lick your wounds and then either find a better school or get the hell out of here. Don't whine about it....
There are also the complaints about the salary paid....Fo me you can make a really good living teaching English if you have half a brain.
As I say to my students.... In this world there are leaders and followers.. Leaders don't whine.. they move on.....
Anything good to contribute would be a nice change..
Cheers!
Paul |
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gugelhupf
Joined: 24 Jan 2004
Posts: 575
Location: Jabotabek
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| Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2007 10:49 am Post subject: Re: So Many Complaints......... Anything Good? |
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| pauleslteacher1 wrote: |
There are also the complaints about the salary paid....
Paul |
I can't say I've come across many such complaints here. People usually know what the salary is when they take the job on so to complain about it later seems a little odd.
Most complaints I've seen posted ihere involve poor housing or working conditions, or sharp practices.
Call me old-fashioned but if a school is offering poor conditions I'd like to hear about it so that I won't fall into the same trap. Similarly, I'd like to know people's tips about good employers but of course staff turnover at such schools is much lower so you get less comments. |
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TEAM_PAPUA
Joined: 24 May 2004
Posts: 1679
Location: HOLE
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| Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2007 1:59 pm Post subject: * |
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| As I say to my students.... In this world there are leaders and followers.. Leaders don't whine.. they move on..... |
...and leaders don't generally teach ESL 
It took you 10 years to write one post, and that's the best you can come up with?
Only joking - pleased to see you're having fun.
T_P |
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princesss
Joined: 28 Mar 2007
Posts: 152
Location: japan/indo/aust
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| Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 5:05 am Post subject: |
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The industry isn't as bad in Indonesia as it is in China and some other places. I know many teachers who've worked in China say that they had to fight to get their salary every month. So I'd say it depends on where you are coming from and what you're comparing it to. In Indonesia most schools seem to pay on time. They mightn't pay enough and they might make a lot of unreasonable demands but at least you get paid for them. That's the positive. Also the lifestyle is very good in many ways in Indonesia and the cost of living is very low in international terms so the money does go far.
If you said that most Indonesian businesses were efficiently run you would have to be a very kind of very patient person. You will have a better time in Indonesia if you don't expect things to happen right away.
Having said that, a lot of schools are better or worse than others. I think it usually comes down to the management. Go with your intuition. If you feel the school is trying to hide something from you, they probably are. If they open and upfront about answering all your questions, that's an excellent sign. Remember, they are putting on their best face when they first meet you. If you have concerns then, it will probably get worse later. |
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pauleslteacher1
Joined: 17 Mar 2007
Posts: 108
Location: Indonesia
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| Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 4:04 am Post subject: |
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I have just spent the last 30 minutes reading the newest "horror stories" on this forum. It seems that alot of teachers just accept what a school does rather than complaining to the management as a group, (individually never works) or moving on after their contract is over.
EF, EF, EF I mean why do teachers continue working there knowing it is so bad.. are they desperate to teach or what???
There are good schools out there and fortunately I have landed in one....
Great students, nice staff, excellent benefits and paid on time! What more could one ask for? lol.... |
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ezekiel
Joined: 24 Oct 2005
Posts: 79
Location: Indonesia
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| Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 7:30 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| People usually know what the salary is when they take the job on so to complain about it later seems a little odd. |
I think any complaints come from inexperienced newcomers to a country who, granted, do know what the salary is but perhaps don't know what it can buy, have an over-inflated idea of the standard of living or simply are silly enough to want to live in the manner they were accustomed to back home.
P.S. if prices in Medan keep rising as they have I'll be complaining before long..I'll have to economize..take a becak to work, or worse, buy a Kijang...aaaarrrggghh  |
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tanyakenapa
Joined: 06 Feb 2007
Posts: 180
Location: Batavia
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| Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 9:35 am Post subject: |
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I have no complaints.. Ive teached in Jakarta now for almost 3 years.
I have no real complaints about the workplace, or its staff. Although one or two people do get on my nerves...but I just smile and dont let it bother me too much.
If there are any "downsides" to it, I just remind myself... aaahh the joys of living in Indonesia. But I still love Indonesia and always will.
I actually find it easier to get along better with the Indonesian staff at the office.
Dont worry the Indonesian staff complain alot about the expat staff there, its not just the other way around. Sometimes I just have to keep my mouth shut really, as not to cause any problems, or give info to "the other side" so to speak  hehehehe...
I have no problems with the DOS. I think he's very fair to all staff, actually I wish I could have more conversations with him, but I just feel like its not my place.... such a shame really.
With the work itself. Hell yeah I get bored with it sometimes. But I love teaching the kids. I love it, when they ACTUALLY MAKE an effort to learn and when finally they can do something themselves after many failed attempts its great to see. Then I feel like I've actually done my job properly
But I guess this is from someone who's wanted to be a teacher as for long as I can remember.... A teacher in Indonesia that is.
Im happy with the way everything is for me right now... so why change it... ;p |
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xsbir
Joined: 09 Oct 2006
Posts: 81
Location: The Big Durian
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| Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 4:52 am Post subject: |
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| tanyakenapa wrote: |
I have no complaints.. Ive teached in Jakarta now for almost 3 years.
Im happy with the way everything is for me right now... so why change it... ;p |
I can't complain either, Tanya, but I wish "teach" were a regular verb  , and I wish teaching paid as much as regular expat jobs. When I started 10 years ago in a private language school in Jakarta as a new teacher I made more in hard currency than I do now. So not much progress.
But it's a nice, easy stress free job in a language centre, isn't it? Some places even have nice compact shifts and no split shifts. So, I'm with you, no or few complaints. |
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pauleslteacher1
Joined: 17 Mar 2007
Posts: 108
Location: Indonesia
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| Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 3:04 pm Post subject: |
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I am very happy working as an English teacher in Indonesia and plan to do it for a long time....
I have "paid my dues" by working in language schools for over 6 years, which added to my experience and helped me get a teaching position in a really good "national plus school". I prefer these schools because you are actually still teaching Indonesians as opposed to expat kids.
I know other western people working here and sure they are makiing more money than me but their stress levels are alot higher with longer working hours. I wouldn't trade my job with them as the satisfaction I get from helping my students learn a new language in order to get a better life, far outweighs the "big money" they are making.
Every day I look forward to teaching my students, who for the most part are great and very interested in learning English.
My school gives me a nice house, an excellent salary, lots of holidays, support and other good benefits..
Life is great....! |
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ezekiel
Joined: 24 Oct 2005
Posts: 79
Location: Indonesia
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| Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 3:36 am Post subject: |
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| tanyakenapa wrote: Ive teached in Jakarta now for almost 3 years. I'm happy with the way everything is for me right now... so why change it... ;p |
Oh, dear. 
I plan to be a teacher teacher and when I have teached my teachees teaching I, too, hope to have teached many a teacher. |
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tanyakenapa
Joined: 06 Feb 2007
Posts: 180
Location: Batavia
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| Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 2:49 pm Post subject: |
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he he he he 
look at the time!! it was nearly 5am (trying to find an excuse)
We all make mistakes sometimes!! |
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adrian de la touche
Joined: 03 May 2006
Posts: 19
Location: far beyond
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| Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 10:22 pm Post subject: |
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despite working for ef for three years, we;mypartner and i, had a fantastic time. some things are poop,ok,but its just work man, dont take it to heart , many things are so much better. stand up for yourself,dont take any schlop from the school and go where ever you want.....
life really is sickeningly sweet |
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rayman
Joined: 24 May 2003
Posts: 427
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| Posted: Sat May 05, 2007 12:07 pm Post subject: |
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I prefer these schools because you are actually still teaching Indonesians as opposed to expat kids.
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Pauleslteacher - I'm curious as to what you have against the expat kids? I find on the whole the expat kids have a lot more personality and are much more engaging. You also don't have the behaviour problems with expat kids as you would with those in the west. |
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pauleslteacher1
Joined: 17 Mar 2007
Posts: 108
Location: Indonesia
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| Posted: Sat May 05, 2007 1:35 pm Post subject: |
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Hi Rayman... Actually I have nothing "against" expat kids.. And you are right it is alot easier to teach expat kids, but for me I came to Indonesia to help people learn English in order to get a better life.
I also personally like the challenge and get enormous satisfaction in seeing my students develop their English abilities.
To each his own.......as they say.. |
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rayman
Joined: 24 May 2003
Posts: 427
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| Posted: Sun May 06, 2007 1:43 pm Post subject: |
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| Yup, fair enough. I respect your reasoning. |
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