Job Discussion Forums

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

I am not in Indonesia yet, but hoping to come soon.

As a certified teacher with a B.Ed. and an M.A. I have seen positions which interest me ranging from about $1000 to $1400 at National Plus schools. I have been told salaries of $2000 or more are available at International schools in Indonesia, but have not come across those yet.

At some of the E.F. schools, the salary might be as low as $500 per month.

Ghost in Korea (Higher salary by 3 compared with Indonesia, but quality of life not as high)

sidjameson · Joined: 11 Jan 2004 Posts: 629 Location: osaka

I think Ghost needs to give up his attachment to his current world and move on to the next.

I don't know what you are hoping for from your posts but it seems obvious that you are just wanting that final push to leave the financial comfort of Korea and jump into the fiscal abyss that is Indonesia. Smile

To be honest the only person that has enough information to give you any meaningful advice is you. Are you in a position at your age where it is not a foolish thing to give up your better savings potential? Tempered with the ever true maxim that life is indeed short.

One thing you should know though is that whatever country you research, the better paying jobs are found once you are there and not usually over the internet.

Good luck with your decision.

Chancellor · Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 4:00 pm Post subject: Re: deal is this

eddie honda · Joined: 18 Feb 2005 Posts: 59

national + should get you at least 20 million. with MA and a teaching qual u can get this if not more. some language schools pay 14 mil. you need to be in country to get hired for most good jobs tho. i know less qualified people on 25+

ezekiel · Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Posts: 79 Location: Indonesia

You've been talking and asking about it for a while now I believe, ghost..GO ON, DO IT!

DO-IT! DO-IT! DO-IT! Laughing

wailing_imam · Joined: 31 Mar 2006 Posts: 580 Location: Malaya

That's the third time I have heard Ghost mention how much he gets paid in Korea. Rolling Eyes

ezekiel · Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Posts: 79 Location: Indonesia

It's not making me jealous, I still love it here! Very Happy

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

It is a dilemma for most teachers, to decide whether to earn more money in a 'low quality of life' situation, or less money with higher quality of life perks - and those perks are different for people, depending on their interests.

Most people in Korea confess that the money and benefits (decent salary and free housing and potential to save substantial sums of money) are the drawing cards to the country. Without those things no one would come to Korea.

In Indonesia, from the looks of things, many teachers stay for years, and that is a good sign, because it indicates that despite relatively low salaries, the way of life and people in Indonesia make up for the lack of monetary rewards.

The plan is to do a 10-14 day vacation in Indonesia and take it from there.

Ghost in Korea

treacle · Joined: 18 Jun 2007 Posts: 36 Location: the hills

or is it because the salaries are so low in Indonesia that teachers CANNOT afford to save and return to their native countries without reporting to social services on the way from the airport to the dosshouse?

looks pretty desperate to me.

sidjameson · Joined: 11 Jan 2004 Posts: 629 Location: osaka

There is also the fact that many of the guys that do choose to stay here for years really don't have much else going for them other than their white skin.

Ghost if your net asset value, but you can include any future inheritance in that, is below US200K then at your stage in life (mid 50's I presume) I would think long and hard before coming to Indonesia.

To be honest I would make that 400k. Though it would be less, maybe even to a few 10k if you have any pension to look forward to.

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

sidjameson · Joined: 11 Jan 2004 Posts: 629 Location: osaka

Ghost most posters on Daves are in their 20's or 30's so of course they wouldn't have much in the way of savings.

But even then I would have to say that many (most?) of them will inherit a house or at least a part share. For many that would be more than 200k. 200k and even a UK state pension is enough not to fear old age.

Your point about 55 being a ludicrous cut of point is exactly why a TEFL teacher does need such assets. I wouldn't want to be 60 and penniless. Especially if I don't have any thing coming my way from other means.

But then again it doesn't take much. A $1000 a month would still give you a nice enough life in many poorer countries. And probably it's enough to attract a women 25 years your junior too if that's what you're into.

malu · Joined: 22 Apr 2007 Posts: 1344 Location: Sunny Java

eclectic · Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 1122

now THATS real talkin. 25 years my younger. yessirreee........

treacle · Joined: 18 Jun 2007 Posts: 36 Location: the hills

Why on earth shoud I wait for a handout Sid? Why should any of us tick along in the hope that inheritance will see us right for the golden years. it's our job to push the envelope now, look after ourselves and keep things right without relying on others, right?

That's the problem with so many ESL teachers, they are escaping responsibilities and drifting, no wonder so many of the posts on this site are negative - ESL teachers are not the happiest professionals in the world are they?

Poor salaries, culture shock, abuse from employers and low self esteem - all the trappings of working in this field.

It seems only the lucky, motivated ones make something for themselves overseas by getting out of the monotony of teaching at anything below International School level. I'd love to know what some of these 40 plus teachers at EF schools do when the realisation that 900 dollars a month and no contributions to a state pension back home kicks in.

Sad really.