Job Discussion Forums

SandyG20 · Joined: 12 Sep 2007 Posts: 208

I have been offered a job in Indonesia - the pay is 530 USD a month - plus housing - it states it is an International School - this pay seems low to me - but I am not that familiar with Indonesia payscales. I suppose I could negotiate as well. I do have a bachelor in education and state side experience in teaching. While I understand the cost of living is low - that pay seems barely liveable - at least to save a bit and have money for airfare.

Madame J · Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 10:28 pm Post subject:

I earned about that much when I was living in Indo, but I was working for a language mill. International schools seem to pay 15 million-ish, in general.

travelNteach · Joined: 14 Jul 2009 Posts: 222

that is a terrible salary, even lowly ef in jakarta, sby, bandung and many other smaller cities pays more than that. hell international schools pay their non-native speakers (ex. filipino) staff more than that per month. beware, lots of nationaal plus and even a few language schools are adding "international" to their names in order to try and boost their reputations to the unsuspecting client.

u can do much better.

Bule_Gila · Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 2:35 am Post subject:

That salary sucks dude! The average pay scale in Indonesia varies, depending on location, but you should be making at least 8 to 10 million Rupiahs per month, even more if you get lucky.

rayman · Joined: 24 May 2003 Posts: 427

That's horrid, even for a non qualified teacher. With a BEd you should be looking for upwards of US$2000/month

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

Don't touch it with a long pole. At my school (which isn't even an international school) we pay local teachers more than that, let alone a qualified expat.

Tricia2010 · Joined: 19 Oct 2010 Posts: 5 Location: Canada

What school are you at? I am planning on teaching in 2011 and would love some honest feedback - good areas, schools and things to stay away from-

consider · Joined: 14 Oct 2010 Posts: 7

contact me if you have questions

Madame J · Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 9:13 pm Post subject:

EF is illegal? How so? I worked for an EF until September this year, and generally speaking had a very positive experience. Some of the EFs are appallingly run, but as it's a franchise you can't expect the quality to be identical everywhere. Most people I met who were unhappy at EF felt the way they did because they'd never taught kids before and didn't realise how difficult it is.

Claiming that Indonesia is "not an easy country to live in" is a little subjective. Could you give examples? I would certainly agree that many aspects of Indonesian life frustrate and depress on a regular basis, but then there are also aspects of it that are completely wonderful. In some ways less developed countries are a great deal easier to live in as people tend not to have the same silly inhibitions that many do in the west.

I met many ESL teachers who took their work extremely seriously whilst I was there. There were also lots who boozed and shagged their way around the country. Surely they exist in every country in which entry level work is possible?

consider · Joined: 14 Oct 2010 Posts: 7

not meaning to upset others i can only offer my advice

phis · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 250

Wow! What a diatribe!! ... and you left two years ago? You must have had a much worst time of it than all the rest of us who have managed to tough it out. We, the 'long-timers' are aware of the shortcomings of Indonesia and the system, but love the place enough to work through the problems, and ultimately have a good time here.

... maybe it's all the alcohol you mention .... and all of us being 'social rejects from other countries' that helps us on our merry way ... (for anyone who has not read all the posts on this thread... that is a direct quote from ****** not from me!).

Personally, I find having a sense of humour works much better than the alcohol... but there you go... each to his/her own..... Laughing

phis · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 250

Okaaay!.... so the person who did make the comments I mentioned above has been 'considerate' enough to edit his/her post and cut the offensive remarks... so end of topic ....!

Errr... not quite... I want to reiterate that Indonesia is well worth the effort that you will have to put in, if you want to 'survive' here. However, you do have to have the ability to see the funny side of things... even though at times you will be quite literally pulling your hair out in frustration!

You have to do a brutal bit of self analysis before you come here.... If you feel that you can't do without the creature comforts of home, and if you do have the tendency to 'brood' about things that have gone wrong years after the event... then Indonesia is not the place for you.

If you do have a sense of adventure (and can ultimately see the humour in situations!), then you will be in for one hell of a roller coaster ride... but will have some great stories to tell for years to come. This will apply not only to your work situation, but also to your personal life as well.

My current drama: a freshly painted front of house (which gives the impression of a well maintained 'posh' house!!)... but 'Niagara Falls' in the kitchen and one back bedroom whenever we have a storm (which is almost every day at the moment). Seeing me and the maid scurrying around in the middle of the night bailing out water, is a sight to behold!!!!

I promise that I am not laughing then... but in the future... what a story! Am waiting for the house owner to send along a 'tukang'... but that could be today... or 'whenever'...!

travelNteach · Joined: 14 Jul 2009 Posts: 222

i didnt find his comments offensive and didnt come away with the opinion that he was knocking indonesia or its citizens, but rather ranting against his school, which is an all too common gripe here. but perhaps i am off base as it was a little difficult to discern with the lack of full stops. i thought is was hugely entertaining.

and if u dont have a tax payer id card and proper working visas, then u are working illegally whether for ef or another school. and i do know one ef that regularly sends it teachers running to the nearest mall every time immigration shows up. they have teachers working there on tourist visas and business visas. they have also gotten in trouble for having teachers working at branches in jkt area when they were given work visas for their branch in bogor. all part of the charm of indonesia i suppose.

travelNteach · Joined: 14 Jul 2009 Posts: 222

phis great assessment of life in indonesia and the personality needed to thrive here.

great story. any chance u could record yourself next time and post it on utube? the whole world needs to see that one. awesome

phis · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 250

Record myself running around semi-nude (or nude if the maid is not here) in the middle of the night... trying hopelessly to minimise the damage?

This is not a pretty sight!... nor one that should be inflicted on the world as a whole. Especially as the language tends to be somewhat 'blue'!!.... And anyway, who would hold the camera?