Job Discussion Forums

scooby doo · Joined: 30 Oct 2009 Posts: 48

I'll tell you who is joking. If a particular applicant has no relevant experience, an online 20-hour tefl course, an unrelated degree, an unrealistic sense of entitlement, and no understanding of the job of teaching English, then why is Rp6-7 million undeserved?

There are experienced, dedicated and long term career efl teachers in Indonesia commanding 10 mil (or above) at quality organizations such as TBI and Kelt-Surabaya. What do you suggest employers offer those with lesser qualifications who are poorly equipped to do the job? 9 million, 8 million? In my opinion there is a substantial qualitative difference between these types of teachers. Therefore, there should logically be a difference in remuneration as well.

I wholeheartedly support ALL the fresh graduates escaping economic downturn, retired folks wanting to travel the world, disillusioned adventurous souls wanting a job change. This industry is ideal for such people and more power to everyone because of it. But, be realistic, can such teachers expect a salary that is only slightly lower than those with far more experience....

Tudor and lipsonto, no disrespect intended as I don't know what your quals are. Btw local minimum wage is approx Rp1 mill a month so earning over 6 times the average minimum wage is nothing to be ashamed of in this context.

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

Tudor · Joined: 21 Aug 2009 Posts: 339

No, I aren't joking but I thought they were when they told me the salary. I told the interviewer that the salary was a major sticking point and he said, "That's what all new starters get, regardless of qualifications or experience". Needless to say, I didn't accept their offer...I kept looking and have since landed a position paying more than double that amount.

Scooby, I fully agree with you...if somebody doesn't have any relevant experience or qualifications then realistically they shouldn't expect to earn any more than this. Having said that, you're not going to starve on that salary but you probably won't be enjoying the exotic lifestyle that EF like to promote e.g. travelling around Indonesia in your time off, returning home with $$$$ in the bank etc

lipsonto · Joined: 31 Oct 2006 Posts: 8

Thanks Tudor for the reply. I think I may re-consider my move to Indonesia for the time being and save some money in a different country first. I know that I'll get slated for saying this but working for �2.77 per hour is a bit too low for my liking. 40 hours per week for 6,750,000 per month.....maybe it will be best to come over and look for a job in person..once I have the funds to support myself.

lipsonto · Joined: 31 Oct 2006 Posts: 8

BTW I have more than 6 years of teaching experience in 4 different Asian countries. Also, have a TEFL cert. and degree so may try applying to other schools in Indonesia once I get there...or may just go back to Korea or Taiwan........

rayman · Joined: 24 May 2003 Posts: 427

With your qualifications lipsonto there's no reason why you couldn't aim for Rp12-20 million/month at other language institutes and national plus schools.

Out of interest, does anyone know what TBI in Kuningan pay nowadays? A friend is interested in applying but my salary figures are a few years out of date.

Cheers

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

I have worked in the Nat Plus sector for some years now and I am obviously out of touch with salaries on offer at language schools. The latter actually seem to have decreased over the past five years!

I might add that you'd have to pay me loads of money to live in Bekasi (twin towns Port au Prince and Chernobyl). Looks like Swara is not the bottom end of the market any more...

Tudor · Joined: 21 Aug 2009 Posts: 339

Rayman

TBI Kuningan pay 14 million, TBI Kelapa Gading pay 12 and TBI Bekasi pay 10...don't know about the other branches.

Incidentally, I'm not "knocking" EF - I thought their facilities were quite impressive - I simply wasn't prepared to work for that wage, although it appears there's plenty of folk who will and fair play to them.

rayman · Joined: 24 May 2003 Posts: 427

Thanks Tudor. I'm baffled by the salary variance between the branches. A schmick kost can be had in Kuningan for 3 million/month. That must assume a similar one in Bekasi costs negative 1 million. I would've thought they'd need to offer more for someone to opt for Bekasi over Kuningan....

Tudor · Joined: 21 Aug 2009 Posts: 339

The TBI branches in Kelapa Gading and Bekasi are franchises, therefore they each offer their own T&Cs, much like the various EF franchises.

As well as Kuningan, TBI also operate two other branches in Jakarta, one on Surdiman and the other at Fatmawati. I believe these are staffed mainly by local teachers who I imagine will have a totally different wage structure to that of the native-speaking teachers. Kuningan is a mixture of both but the local teachers are part-time whilst the native speakers are full-time.

TBI also operate three other schools, two in Bandung and one in Malang...I've no idea what these pay nor any of the other TBI franchises.

Madame J · Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 5:41 am Post subject:

father Mackenzie · Joined: 10 Oct 2008 Posts: 105 Location: Jakarta Barat

I am sure you could but I am also sure you would not like it at all.

markustm · Joined: 15 Mar 2010 Posts: 95

Actually a friend of mine rented a pavilion in Cenkerang for 300.000rp a month. I admit the area was out of the way, and a bit rough. But you can rent cheaply in many areas of Jakarta.

I rented a two bedroomed apartament in West Jakarta for 800.000 rp a month. It was safe, central and had security. I had to buy furniture, but adding that to the cost of the rent, it was still very low. Studios were around 5 jt a year.

Another friend rents a very compact, new house on a real estate in Bekasi for 8 jt a year. Again unfurnished, it has a garden, a couple of bedrooms, and good security- although you do need your own transport.

Rents can be low in Jakarta, and in Indonesia. Its just a question of looking around, and opting out for living either close to the center or in a far flung suburb.

father Mackenzie · Joined: 10 Oct 2008 Posts: 105 Location: Jakarta Barat

Yes Markustm is correct, out of the city it does get cheaper. In Cengkareng, 2 bedroom houses go from 14jt a year, apartments at Taman Surya from 7 million a year and its not the worst area I have seen. I know many teachers in that area that have moved out of teachers housing to their own places and are finding it easy.
I was offered a house in Meruya near Puri Indah for 16 million a year. The apartments at Mediterania in Tanung Duren are available from 18 million without AC and from 19 with if you haggle. All of these are unfurnished.