Job Discussion Forums

[gugelhupf]

Someone has posted his experiences on the Job Info Journal page but this subject is worth repeating here.

Since last April (as far as I can make out) the immigration authorities have stipulated that native speaker ESL teachers must be 26 or over in order to get a C visa approved. In time I suspect they will adopt exactly the same criteria as Malaysia already has done - ie over 25 with degree and CELTA/TESOL mandatory.

Being Indonesia, of course, most things are possible given enough greasing of palms and, yes, it is possible to get documentation approved for someone under 26 - at a price. However, if you are an applicant under the age limit don't count on a potential employer being willing to do this as many probably won't want the extra expense and hassle.

In addition, I think I would feel less than comfortable if I knew I was working here on documents that were obtained as a result of creative accounting as this would leave the employer and employee open to further hassle/extortion at a later date were there to be a sweep of the premises by immigration or education ministry gestapo.

[Winmarr]

Blimey, it'd be just like Indonesia to take another regressive step. Perhaps they haven't realised that people aren't exactly flooding into the country to work or travel these days. Jeepers creepers.

[Link H]

Indonesian is an easy language to learn, with little grammar. It's mostly vocabulary.

But even after you learn it, there are times when you are not sure what people are saying. Sentences can be somewhat vague. At least in conversational Indonesian. I think Indonesians pick up the exact meaning of vague statements quicker than I do.

[Winmarr]

Wrong thread, Link H?! Actually there's a reasonable amount of grammar in the written form...