Job Discussion Forums

[ghost]

I have had an offer from an Agency by the name of Intract, in Jakarta.

I am currently working in Korea, netting almost $3000 U.S. per month (on top of free accommodation), and realize I would probably have a serious pay cut in Indonesia, but I have 'no life' in Korea. That is to say, the country is ok, but it is not a place where you form attachments with the people. It is all about money in Korea - nothing more, nothing less. The quality of life in Korea leaves much to be desired.

My present dilemma in life is to decide what is more important - money or 'quality of life?' I am fascinated by Indonesia, and the multiple cultures and differences in that vast archipelago. The same could not be said about Korea, where I find that most people are astonishingly similar and predictable, and I don't mean that in a negative way.

I feel like a faceless robot in Korea, and realize that Korea needs English teachers, not because they have any affinity for us or western culture, but basically for pragmatic reasons, including better job and university study prospects.

The job is at a National school in Medan. Here are some of the details.

Objectives:
Have an excellent job as English teachers in formal schools and earn a decent income SERVING GOD THROUGH TEACHING ENGLISH

1. as well.
2. Get a cross cultural experience with the students, school staff and the local people.
3. Learn bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian language)

Requirements:
1. He/she must have a strong dedication and high values toward education.
2. He/she must come from one of the English speaking countries: England, America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand.
3. He/she must be creative, patient, caring, willing to adjust with new culture, language, etc.
4. He/she must have a proper certificate, according to the subjects he/she teaches. such as TESOL, Social Studies, Psychology.
5. For Kindergarten (ages 3-5) and Elementary Schools (ages 6-11), we prefer female teachers.
6. He/she must be willing to work for 1 school year �> July until June the following year, or the year after that.
7. He/she must go through INTRACT�s recruitment procedure.
8. He/she must follow the teacher�s training programs at INTRACT.
9. He/she should come to Indonesia one month before school begin to learn Indonesian language

Program Description:
INTRA-SCHOOL PROGRAM
1. Teaching English within school hours (07.00 � 15.00, Monday � Friday, 07.00-13.00 on Saturday)
2. English is compulsory for all students.
3. A teacher teaches based on the school�s curriculum.
4. The number of attendants in a class is around 30-40 students.
5. The teaching time is 45 minutes per session. Each class gets 1 � 2 sessions a day.


TEACHER�S FUNCTION
The function of a native speaker teacher in her/his class is teaching the subjects according to the objectives of the curriculum.

FACILITIES AND RENUMERATION FOR FULL TIME NATIVE SPEAKERS:

1. One year contract of 40 working hours (maximum 25 hours teaching and 15 hours office work) per week in all locations assigned by INTRACT, with a fixed income of Rp 10,000,000 (ten million rupiahs), paid 12 (twelve) times in a year.
2. KITAS, Visa and Working Permit.
3. Accommodation:
a. Housing & standard equipment = 3 people in 1 house. The house is in a housing complex. It has 2-3 bedrooms (each person has 1 room), 1 (Indonesian) bathroom, a living room, a kitchen. We can help find a maid to do the laundry and cooking. Electricity and phone bills and the salary of the maid are the responsibilities of the teachers.
4. Teacher�s training and teaching materials (compulsory)
5. A car and a driver to take the teachers to school or a fully paid transport expense by taxi if a car is not available.

Thanks for any feedback on this position.

Ghost in Korea

[laughing_magpie06]

These schools are also very christian and will not get 5 minutes into a job interview without pushing god fearing rhetoric down your throat. If you are inclined this way it could be the place for you. If you are not and can 'wing it' during prayer sessions thats ok too but if you are like me and think that religion is a personal matter and school is a place for education you may find yourself reaching for the bucket.

[ezekiel]

Very quick one..I work in Medan and have never heard of either of the organisations, the school or the recruitment agency, you mentioned in your post...however, the salary is alright, although you could possibly expect more from a Nat + school here and definatey more in Jakarta...also sounds particularly strict...most experienced teachers would not feel comfortable with being trained how to teach again..also what is their reason for teaching you Bahasa Indonesia for a month?

[ReveurGAM]

Hi Ghost,

I did work for Intract in Jakarta about 3 years ago. They were founded by a Christian group (I forget which sect) and the lady I was interacting with, Kristina, was very nice and helpful.

I will say that the materials they provided me with were substandard and communication wasn't always what it should have been.

However, they paid me promptly and paid my taxi fares from Bekasi into Jakarta and back. I was already working at another school so this was extra work, so there was nothing about the visa, work permit and whatnot.

I'm considering going back to working with them here in Semarang since they have a branch here, too, and need help. I had a friend who worked for them until he moved back to the U.S.

I wouldn't say they are the ideal employer, but good enough based on what I know.

I noticed that the list neglected to mention the taxes. There is a $100/mo. foreigner tax here, so you should make sure they are also going to pay for all taxes. They should also pay for ALL expenses related to getting the visa and work permit, since you'll have to leave the country to get the process going.

Don't worry about the Christian aspect. They never shoved it down my throat, even though the work I did for them was at a Christian grade school (Jubilee in Sunter, Jakarta).

I would say the requirement of learning Indonesian would be a great benefit, even if you have to come to Indonesia ahead of time - assuming they're paying you!

The class sizes suck, though, and the contact hours are a bit longer than one might expect. You should try to renegotiate the salary.

I don't know the Medan schools, except for SIS and I'll tell you to say NO if it's SIS they want you to work for! They ARE an outsourcing company, after all, so it's possible!

I suspect there are details you left out of your post. Anything else?

Glenn

PS: If you want, I'll ask my friend if you can email him with questions, since he did work for them and got his documents through them.

[ghost]

What are the vacation times for foreign teachers who teach in National Plus schools in Indonesia?

I notice most of the schools start their foreign teachers mid July each year, so was wondering when the vacation time starts and ends and how many weeks/months per year is typical?

Thanks for the feedback.

Ghost

[ghost]

That 10 million rupiah is about $1000 U.S. per month. How far does that go in Indonesia, and would you be able to save some on that salary, provided housing was taken care of by your school?

Thanks for any feedback.

Ghost

[laughing_magpie06]

10 million is ok as long as you live a pretty conservative lifestyle and don't wish to party too much. It is more than adequate for rent, food and transport etc. Even for a few beers in Jaksa but if you live a nightclub and girlie bar lifestyle it will fritter away very quickly.

[ghost]

[ReveurGAM]

[ReveurGAM]

[sidjameson]

Yes but the point is that youre not any happier because you are not living on $3000 a month. You are living on $1300 a month.

Many people, myself included, make the mistake of thinking that the country they're in isn't up to much, but truth be told it's often that their lifestyle is the thing that's lacking and the main reason is that they are saving a dispraportionate amount of their income.

I suspect that happiness is how you live not where you live.

Mind you saying that I constantly consider giving up my $5000 a month salary in Japan (where I save 3.5k) to go to Indo and earn a $1000.

But remember, that's future happiness your storing up. Well at least future pleasure and that's a close second. Hmmm or is it?

[ps2_machine]

I hope you like Indonesia more than Korea. As for me, I like Korea more than Indonesia. Activities included skiing in winter, mountain climbing, online gaming. In Jakarta, all I could do is shop for really cheap PS2 games and clothes and other things, and almost nothing else. I found Lombok and Jogja to be great though. I don't know about your experience in tropical countries, but the temperature will not change and I hope you do not get sick of it. Anyway, that was me. Good luck.

[rayman]

sidjameson - $5000 month. Correct me if I'm wrong, but with the current weak yen that would be around 600 000 Yen/month? That sounds like pretty good coin for an ESL teacher. Is that a university position?


Ghost, $1300/month with rent excluded would allow for a comfortable lifestyle. As an example I budget for that much and support a family, eat at restaurants 7 times a week, visit the movies twice a month, go to a bar/club once a week and still have sufficient funds left over for clothes, DVD's, holidays etc.

As for National Plus holidays, many schools have the same holidays as International schools. That equates to about 12-13 weeks a year.

[rayman]

Sorry, I should've added - if you want to live comfortably AND save, you really need to be earning about $1300

[sidjameson]

Yes, it's a uni position. Too good to leave if the truth be known. But Indonesia is a bit like that first girlfriend, you know, a bit of a runaround, not exactly classy, some may even say skanky, but for whatever reason the one that stays in your heart.