Job Discussion Forums

[sass]

I'm only new here and am continuing my research for working in Indonesia. Having a soft spot for Bali I thought that would be a nice place to start my journey however, I've found it difficult to find any info on working - teaching english here.

Can anyone offer any tips/pointers/info etc on this ?

Much appreciated.

Sass

[SirZephyr]

If you get a pet dog while you are there, get a sniffer dog whose expertise is explosives.

[sass]

yes, yes, that is a very predictable response, thanks for that.

But seriously...

If there is fear about going there there should be more work, right? Apart from the economy suffering from no tourists yes but there must be some people not dependent on a tourist income that can afford to put their kids in english school...

Again, right?




The dog would probably end up as dog satay anyway...

[ls650]

It'll be tough to find work there. When I was in Indo a couple of years ago, there were few teaching jobs for foreigners in Bali - and the few jobs that did exist were clung to tightly by the ex-pats lucky enough to get them.

[Gordon]

Lots of ads for volunteer teaching in Bali, that won't help you much though. They probably figure it is such a nice place, they don't need to pay you.

[gugelhupf]

[gugelhupf]

[sass]

Okay, interesting feedback. It's given me more to consider.

How convenient is it exactly - and affordable, to fly off to Bali from other areas say from Java to Bali for the weekend? Great if it's fairly cheap and easy but I get the impression that it's just not that affordable on RP6,000 000 month. And this seems to be around the wage for ESL teacher with no degree.

[TEAM_PAPUA]

[sass]

Yeah I'll take the bait...

Well Team_Papau, I have done a fair amount of reading through the archives over the last week to avoid going over old ground in consideration of boring anyone, sorry if I missed the mark here.

Feel free to correct me or give any pointers. I'm new and hungry for information.

[rayman]

From Jakarta - Bali you're looking at around Rp500 000 each way for a decent deal.

Honestly, I don't see the attraction of living/working in Bali. I would have to be paid a lot more than I am now to move there from Jakarta. Forever being treated like a tourist 'just off the boat' could become a bit tiresome after a while. A good holiday destination doesn't always make for a good home, in my opinion.

[sass]

Thanks, I appreciate your perspective.

I am considering other options (Bali is soo lovely though!). Because I don't have degee there are alot of countries that, as a first stop are not an option for me. So I've narrowed it down to Indonesia; China doesn't appeal at this stage.

So again, the average wage is RP6,000,000 in Indonesia?

[TEAM_PAPUA]

ESL 'Teacher' (?) How can anyone without qualifications or experience claim to be a teacher or have the nerve to walk into a classroom and pretend to be? In my opinion 6million is too much for these so-called 'teachers'. Real, experienced & qualified local teachers are paid a third of that and they know more about the subject matter and how to present it than these backpackers will ever know.

Nothing personal, but it is no wonder that salaries and standards are low in Indonesia when the market is saturated with backpackers & McEnglish franchises willing to employ them.

Six million - I wouldn't get out of bed for that

[sass]

Well for me it's an absolute blessing. I did not have the opportunity to stay at home with my parents and go to uni like many of my peers. I left home early and have only just got my life on some sort of track now in my 30's.

Having said that, I consider myself to be well-read and educated - if informally, with much to offer the human race.

Seeing that you wouldn't get out of bed for less makes me pleased you are doing well TP. I feel warm and fuzzy all over for you.

[TEAM_PAPUA]

It's never too late to return to education - that's what I did

Anyway, good luck in your job hunt. I doubt you'll have much luck finding a decent job in Bali - too much competition ( I also hear conditions are bad because of the popularity of working there ).

With no education/experience McEnglish may be your only way in; that is at least one way to get the experience needed & some questionable level of training...it is the road most traveled here in Indonesia.

If you are really interested in spending time in Bali I'd try for a position in Surabaya. I believe the Mcschools there have a better reputation than those in JKT. There are better schools in the city, but again competition is high for the better paying jobs.

In fact, you don't need to have much intellect/education/experience to teach here as most of the students are of the 'super-rich brain-dead' variety

note:

salaries vary greatly from city to city due to 'living costs' - this applies to local living costs as the price of anything 'western' and any type of consumer product costs approx. the same throughout Indonesia. So, schools in smaller cities want to pay 2-5 million per month less because the price of fried rice is 4000rp rather than 6000rp - yet, clothes, food (in stores) a motorcycle, bicycle, camera, books, dvd, petrol, shoes, toiletries, cosmetics etc etc cost exactly the same as in Jakarta.

EF advertises a 'rupiah based salary which affords a decent standard of living'. Yes, if you are a local. However, it is still possible to have some treats/fun if you limit yourself.

Anyway, again good luck and I hope you'll let us know where you end up.