Job Discussion Forums

[LittleLisa1]

Hi Father Mackenzie,

Thank you for your message. I have tried to email you, but for some reason the email is not delivering, and I can't pm you as I am a new member. So I'm afraid I am going to overwhelm you with questions here.

I appreciate any advice and help I can get. Also, the more I learn about Indonesia, the more excited I get. One thing I'm concerned about is the trip to Singapore. I'm a little bit concerned about the money side of things, as I have only just got back from India, so money is going to be very tight until I get paid my first months wages. Also, would I go to Singapore alone? Or do they send a few new teachers at a time? Also when would my first set of wages come in, does it take a couple of months to process? The schools you mentioned, are they in very urban locations, or is there some peace and quiet? I really like the city and all the fun that comes with it, but sometimes I like to be in rural locations too, so are these easy to get to? Also, what is the teachers accommodation like? And how many other teachers would I be living with? One of my major concerns is the age of my students. I have only just qualified as a TESOL teacher, and during my teaching practices I only taught 10/11 year olds. My trainers assured me that this wasn't a problem, but I want to get someone else's opinion. Do you see this as a problem?
Sorry for bombarding you with questions, and thank you for your help.

Lisa

[Tommybhoy]

If you are short of money don't take your TEFL. I know that some teachers at EF SWARA didn't have any qualifications. Please remember that you are going to work 2/3 of all Saturdays in the year, so trying to get out to a semi-decent beach in Java is nigh-on impossible.

[LittleLisa1]

I've already taken my TEFL, but thanks for the advice.

[Tommybhoy]

A bit late...sorry about that. You will be teaching from 3-year-old kids to 40+ Business English students. I can promise you that the 10/11-year-olds are the hardest!!! With regards to rural settings, forget it. Jakarta is a horrible urban jungle. I don't want to gloss anything over, your experience isn't likely to be very good. However, this is your first teaching job so you have to start somewhere.

[LittleLisa1]

Yeah, i'm aware of how urban etc Jakarta is, and I actually don't mind that. I have just spent 4 weeks in Kolkata India, and loved it. I was just wondering if there is a chance of escaping occasionally, perhaps on my time off? If not, that's not a problem....it's only a year, and all a learning curve. I still don't know what school i'm going to be at yet.
Thanks for your reply. And you have made me very happy with the age range!! I can't wait to teach such a wide range of ages!!

[Tommybhoy]

It's actually quite like Kolkatta. You will get a couple of good holidays in the year where you can get out of JKT and have fun (use www.airasia.com). Though Swara are very strict about extra days off (they made you feel bad for getting ill...that sort of thing). You might have to do the visa run to Singapore on your own, though you might meet another teacher from another school on the flight going to see the same dodgy geezer outside McDonalds. You get back very late from Singapore and Swara make you work the next day...which in all the teachers' opinion is a horrible thing to do (maybe they have changed this).

[Oreally]

Tommybhoy Is correct. Swara sees the visa run as a one day thing. Not only is it tiring, but there is no wiggle room if something goes wrong . Several other employers will (1) give the process more than a day and (2) provide you with a budget for accommodation and 2 or 3 meals. Our friends at Swara don�t even give you a Rotiboy (SNIFF) .

Also, make sure that NO MONEY COMES OUT OF YOUR POCKET for this trip or any kind of visa trip. Swara have been known to use the ignorance, trust and naivety of new teachers to convince them that funding there own visa run is �Normal� and � Standard in language schools�.

On getting out of town�. The Busway goes to Kampung Rambutan. You can escape to Pangandaran or Palabuhanratu.

[LittleLisa1]

Thanks for all of your advive, but as I said it's all a learning curve!! I will look into the places you suggested visiting though.

[Rozabeez]

I'm so relieved to see this thread, I have a job interview with this company soon and would really love to work/live in Indonesia, but googling seemed to only find outdated threads with terrible experiences with EF Swara!

All I can add question wise is whether anyone has any interview tips?

I haven't done any TEFL work before and I'm both nervous and excited about it!

[joe29]

Hi Rozabeez,

Interviews are always a little worrying but you don't need to be nervous. You should expect a few questions about dealing with some classroom situations and a few questions about living and working in Jakarta. Maybe there will be some questions about yourself. I was in the same situation several years ago and, of course, I was a bit nervous but the interview was friendly and not having had any previous teaching experience wasn't a problem when it came to the interview. Very soon after the interview I received a job offer and more than 3 years later I can say that it was probably the start of the best thing I've done. Just be yourself and think of why you're doing the interview and where it could get you.

Good luck and I hope you'll get to Jakarta soon.

[Rozabeez]

Thanks! I got the job and will be starting in Bogor in July. Very nervous and excited, wow!

[Ozindo]

Well done!
I hope you find your Indonesian experience positive and memorable. I believe if you come with an open mind, a sense of adventure and a desire to learn, it will be. It doesn't hurt to bring your sense of humour, of course. If I can help in any way, please let me know.

[Rozabeez]

Thanks! I have to say, the lovely posts from the people on here are very helpful, easing any worries so far!

[Oreally]

[joe29]

Good for you. Bogor is a lovely town with a lot of great scenery nearby and there are nice people in the school. Have a great time.