Job Discussion Forums

musicmunky · Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Posts: 34

hey guys...I was wondering if anyone could give me any feedback about working for EF in Jakarta. I have been thinking about it, and would love some feedback. I know they have quite a few schools there, but I would love to hear from anyone with experience working for them? I'm just indecisive...whether to go to Indonesia or Thailand. I know the money won't be great in either...so I am not in it for the money. Just want to start teaching abroad. What is Jakarta like to live in (is it as polluted and intense and people say)? Thanks guys

laughing_magpie06 · Joined: 14 Sep 2006 Posts: 282

I wouldn't recommend it unless you have a personal reason to want to come here as I did. I am going home in three weeks and don't regret anything as I have a lovely wife and son now. But if only for work, I wouldn't bother.
EF is an entry level school and you will find no reward either financially or experience wise. Most are dishonest but shop around. Pondok Indah, Depok and Kelapa Gading are the only branches with any good feedback.

Sailing Through Life · Joined: 20 Mar 2008 Posts: 4 Location: Vancouver, Canada

Is Jakarta as dusty and (not such a great place to live) as the rumours have it?

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

Yes and no. Jakarta aint pretty but it has a heart and a soul. Much depends on your income (and outgoings). If you can afford to live in a nice pad and have plenty of disposable income then Jkt cn be a fun place to live. If you are on an EF salary living in a crappy shared house in a scruffy neighbourhoodthen Jkt probably seems like a smallish piece of Hell that has come up to the surface.

eddie honda · Joined: 18 Feb 2005 Posts: 59

Disclaimer:

*views posted on dave's esl cafe board may be more negative than those of actual residents*

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

So... tell us your opinions Mr Honda.

Ghost_Rider · Joined: 13 Jan 2008 Posts: 10

EF Swara is a terrible school to sign-up with. They will try to sign teachers to temporary contracts which are not legal in Indonesia.

tukangojek · Joined: 24 Nov 2007 Posts: 17 Location: bogor

HI GHOST.... I AM WITH YOU. SIMILAR THING HAPPENDED TO MY FRIENDS WHO TAUGHT AT THIS GROUP. GO AHEAD AND BRING THEM TO COURT ..... ALL THE BEST !!

Atoms for Peace · Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 135 Location: NKRI

laughing_magpie06 · Joined: 14 Sep 2006 Posts: 282

That last comment by atoms pretty well sums it up. Sad but true..

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

There are a zillion articles on this forum on EF, and I suggest budding new teachers go through the archives and read them.

Re the pollution: It is a very dirty city and is one of the world's most polluted places. Visibility is similar to the TV news you see around the big Chinese cities - 1km if you're lucky.

There's plenty of things to do there, but remember, this is a huge metropolis with a population close to 20 million. It is crowded!

Ghost_Rider · Joined: 13 Jan 2008 Posts: 10

laughing_magpie06 · Joined: 14 Sep 2006 Posts: 282

Ghost rider, which one did you work in? I was at EF Meruya in West Jakarta and Cibubur and both were terrible. Meruya was by far the worst though.

canbe · Joined: 19 Nov 2007 Posts: 3

I have just read the post about EF, and I don't really understand some of the writers. I have been working for EF Swara group for more than two years now and I can't complain about treatment here. Yes, it's not that well paid but it's enough to live normally, the houses are not bad either. And Siska is the nicest person/center manager I ever worked for. I know few people who worked here and didn't like it. But mostly that was THEIR problem.

Llamalicious · Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 11:53 am Post subject: Re: EF Jakarta