Job Discussion Forums

Elicit · Joined: 12 May 2010 Posts: 244

Hi, I have recently completed a CELTA and am in the process of studying for a BA in a relevant subject with the Open University.

I have spent a considerable amount of time researching the English First chain of schools both here on the forum and on the internet in general.

I am in the process of applying to various franchises within the group. As much as EF have received a bashing here the one thing that entices me is the fact that it has been said that they can provide a solid, reliable start to teaching in Indonesia and the EFL industry in general.

It has been mentioned in several threads that avoiding the Swara franchise would be a good idea. However, having applied at several franchises including Swara they seem to be offering the best re-numeration package. According to the information I have received from them this is currently 8,500,000 Rupiah and 7,500,000 Rupiah for Bogor respectively.

Other franchises in the group including Jakarta East and Central offer considerably less. The lowest I've encountered is approximately 6,500,000 Rupiah from Jakarta East. There is housing provided with Jakarta East though.

Money is not a major factor in my motivation to teach with English First or in the industry in general but I don't want to have to pay to teach!
I have quite basic needs. I'm happy to eat local food and am not a big drinker. My only vice is membership to a local fitness club. Are the quoted above salaries enough to maintain a reasonable lifestyle in Indonesia whilst saving a few pennies each month?

I understand that everybody has to start somewhere and do not expect the highest paid position in Indonesia. But I also would prefer not to subsidise my salary with my savings.

It is stipulated that these salaries are non-negotiable. Is this absolutely true?

Professional development is very important to me. Is one franchise better than others concerning this? They all have stated they are but...are they really?

I have spent time in shared accommodation in previous non-related employment. It can be fun at times. However when relocating to Indonesia I will be continuing study towards my degree p/t. Would the EF shared accommodation be conducive to this? My initial thoughts are no.

Any information would be greatfully received. Thanks.

extradross · Joined: 23 Apr 2010 Posts: 81

You may enjoy, you'll get good experience but you won't be saving any-even a few 'pennies'! Why else are Swara providing 'subs' to the teachers in the middle of every month?

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

Go to the International Jobs Board on this website and scroll down to find an ad by EF Palembang posted a little while ago. They were offering Rp7m - which goes a lot further in Palembang than Swara's Rp7.5m goes in Bogor - AND it was Monday to Friday only. I understand the place is well run and established.

travelNteach · Joined: 14 Jul 2009 Posts: 222

professional development?????????? i guess that depends on your defination of professsional development, the quailifications of the DOS, and your own experience and qualifications.

i think if u are someone that has never taught before, u might find the "teaching workshops" provided by the DOS to be helpful if he was suitably qualified. If you have some experience and certs, u might know more than your DOS.

if u have your CELTA, try for a language school a little higher up the ladder. other schools offer some forms of professional development as well. if u truly interested in professional development, try distance education to get your Bed or PGCE or IB qualification.

aku_tonpa · Joined: 03 May 2004 Posts: 63

I think it's a good point. I saw little professional development at EF. That was seven years ago and things might have changed. What is considered as professional development?

Chris Patton · Joined: 19 Sep 2006 Posts: 15 Location: Bumi Serpong Damai

Hopefully I can give a bit of insight into a couple of the OP's questions as they relate to BSD.

First of all, fitness clubs. I've just double checked with a member of our staff who is at Gold's Gym in Gading Serpong. After paying an inital registration fee in the 150,000 range she pays an average of about 350,000 per month. We also have an outlet called Celebrity Fitness a little bit closer to us in BSD. I'm told that it has a similar pricing policy, maybe just a bit more expensive.
If you found yourself living in the EF BSD teacher's house, you would find that you had subsidised access to our neighbourhood fitness centre and pool. It's small, but most people seem to like it. I can't say exactly how much it costs because it varies. We get x-number of free cards, and then at the end of the month the charges over and above that are divided equally among the users. There may be other EF's who have this little benefit, but I don't know which ones so I wouldn't care to guess.

In terms of living in teacher housing, you may have a point about it not always being conducive for study. Every group of teachers is different, of course, and I have seen very quiet houses followed by absolutely riotous ones. In either case, it's important to note that you do not have to stay in EF housing. You can choose to live elsewhere and be responsible for your own living expenses. Some teachers here in the past have chosen to do that and have been very happy.

I agree with others on this thread in that you should try and find out as much as possible about any employer before agreeing to a contract.

Please feel free to PM me if you want some more detailed information about BSD.

Chris Patton
DoS
EF BSD-Tangerang

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

Chris, Could you tell me why the greater Jakarta area EF schools will not publish what their salary range is on any advertisement? It is always left to job applicants to post the offers that they have received on forums like this.

Earlier in this thread I recommended EF Palembang because they are wholly up-front about such things.

aeh · Joined: 28 Apr 2010 Posts: 23

I can probably offer some ideas on EF Swara too. Worked there for 2 years, going back for another. Saying that though, if someone isn't too keen on or bothered about working in Jakarta, EF Palembang would be a good way to go. Have chatted to the DOS and some teachers there and it seems like a really good place and the money would definitely go further there.

Elicit · Joined: 12 May 2010 Posts: 244

Thanks for the heads-up malu. Their advert asks for a degree and I will be completing mine as I teach. It does sound like a good school and location though. I'll consider sending a covering letter and CV anyway. After all you must speculate to accumulate.

I should have specified what professional development means to me as it's an extremely large topic. Considering I have a little pre-CELTA experience and only recently completed the CELTA itself, I guess this classifies me as a post-CELTA newbie. Considering this, professional development means to me...

- an experienced and helpful DOS and a senior teacher to mentor.
- regular teacher workshops regarding methodology and developments.
- observed lessons with constructive feedback.
- an opportunity to learn other skills such as business English teaching and exam preparation.
- the opportunity to teach at all ages and levels.

amongst others.

Is this something that English First can provide?

Thanks Chris for the local information on BSD-Tangerang. I will pm you over the next few days when I have a little more time.

If I receive an offer from EF East Jakarta and Bekasi can anybody enlighten me on the reputation of the franchise, teacher development opportunities and salary? The salary is stated in my first post. Is the cost of living lower than other parts of the city and so in-line with other EF schools? Or is it just a poor salary?

I am fairly good with managing my income and primarily will be in Indonesia to teach and study, not party. Any idea of local accommodation costs? As Chris stated and I feared, that the provided housing may not be suitable considering my study commitments.

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

travelNteach · Joined: 14 Jul 2009 Posts: 222

Ask the DOS for his/her qualifications. IMHO, if they dont have a masters in either educaton or TESL, then they arent qualified to be professional devolpers/teacher trainers. Can a DOS or senior teacher wtih several years of experience help u to become a better teacher? absolutely. Can the teach and explain various theories and methodoligies, developing curruculum, construting relevant and valid test material, etc.....probably not. so if u are looking to be an adequet language mill teacher, yes, a good dos and senior teacher can help u with this. if u are looking to be a true educator, better u get proper training at a qualified university with a degree in education and/or linguistics if that is what you want to teach.[/quote]

Tommybhoy · Joined: 02 Dec 2008 Posts: 12

Will you be working Saturdays? Swara will certainly make you.

extradross · Joined: 23 Apr 2010 Posts: 81

BSD Serpong is an agreeable enough place to live without any real nightlife though which isn't a problem for some. Bare in mind though if you do fancy a few jars in Jakarta at the weekend you're looking at 250 thou [maybe a little more?] to get there and back in a taxi. Go to, for example 'The Sportsman's Bar' in Blok M, a moderately priced place and you're going to spend 200 thou on few beers + a bit of western grub. That's roughly 2 mil per month for that one saturday night 'on the town' every week and as anyone here knows, a pretty moderate night out it would be! But you'll probably be needing it, at the end of your six day working week....

Kanga · Joined: 07 Apr 2010 Posts: 7 Location: Indonesia

8,500,000 won't subsidize a Western lifestyle that includes regular visits to kemang & Blok M bars and eateries, but it's more than enough for a comfortable local middle class lifestyle with some left over. Indonesia is a country with some extraordinary holiday destinations that you'd be able to afford on 8,500,000 with 4 weeks annual leave + public hols.
As for Palembang, been there a few times visiting my wife's side of the family. 'Quiet' would be the kindest adjective that springs to my mind as a descriptor...

Ozindo · Joined: 06 Apr 2009 Posts: 40 Location: Indonesia

The starting salaries you mention are - as Kanga points out - enough to live a comfortable lifestyle by local standards, but won't support the kind of lifestyle that some teachers enjoy in their home countries.
If you're coming here to find a foothold in the EFL world while completing your degree, then the Jakarta-Bogor area might just suit you.
Everyone's different, and my advice is to do your research carefully (you seem to be doing that). If you get as far as a contract being sent to you for consideration, check it out carefully. Some places do work Saturdays, but it should state that in the contract - then you can make your mind up whether that suits you.
Palembang would not be my choice of destination, but - like I said - everyone's different.
Good luck in your quest.
I'm happy to answer any queries you may have - on the open forum or by PM.