Job Discussion Forums

[matador]

Just wondering...EF English First always mention 'EF English First has 160 language schools in 15 different countries'. Okay; do you know of anyone who has worked in one of their schools and who has asked for and got a transfer onto countries other than China and Indonesia...?

[Chester]

ask the tape worm-dude.
seems he worked in them in djarkarta.
now is in the land of the tequila.
and says he knows evrything about almost nothing.
must be canadian, aye

[ls650]

Actually, I know almost nothing about everything.
Yes, I worked for an EF in Jakarta for a year. It was okay. I now teach in Mexico (and vastly prefer it here).
If you have more questions, feel free to PM me.

[guruengerish]

Even if you did transfer between countries, I doubt that there would be any financial advantage.

EF in Indonesia do not recognise service with other EF schools. If you finish up with EF in one city and move, or in the case of Jakarta, just cross the city, you go back to square 1, and start with a beginner's salary.

I'd love to be proved wrong, but that's what the situation seems to be.

If they should ever find it hard to get qualified teachers, such as Imigrasi insisting on the existing rule that all teachers shall hold degrees, them maybe salaries might get a bit more competitive.

I understand that TBI have been insisting on the degree rule for a year or so now. (I know that's off-topic, but I thought I'd throw it in anyway!)

[opo]

To reply to the Guru it's not compleatly true that you will start at beginners salary. I worked at an EF and saw many people come and go. You will be paid more if you have experience but not necessarily the same amount. Most often less but sometimes more. Also the wages at different EF's really range around the country. If you work in Yogya you will earn about four million a month but the cost of living is really really cheap, if you work at EF Bandung, where I did, you will make about 6.5 mill, ig you work in EF Jakarta you will start somewhere around 8 mill. I strongly recommend EF Bandung the Dos there is great and just a surfer that stayed. If you need more info email me [email protected]

[Winmarr]

What opo said. I reckon EF Bandung is a fair bit more flexible that way than a lot of other branches (from what I've read on here anyway). They do actually want to attract and retain good teachers, so I think would recognise past teaching at other EF schools.

[Chester]

do you realize that ex-pats in Indonesia in other professions earn 10 times that.
you think that's ok?

[Winmarr]

It's a bit harder to get jobs in those other professions though, isn't it? Supply and demand.....

[opo]

To chester---> English teachers make allot more than your average Indonesian and foriegners have a lavish lifstyle here atleast compared to your average living in first world countries. In Canada I could never afford a maid 3 times a week and in Bandung that's about average. Teachers in Indo live like there making $60 G's comparebly.

[phis]

So, Chester! What do you do? And why? If you are so envious of people in those other professions, why not go for it and try your luck?

Even knowing what you say is true, I am happy where I am. Yes, my salary is p*** poor compared to western standards. But it is high compared to AVERAGE Indonesian standards, and I do, indeed, have a lifestyle I could never afford back in England, even earning five times what I do here.

Also, I don't have to 'waste' any of my money on things like rent, electricity, gas, telephone, etc. My god, they even buy the water for me. And I also get a free flight home every year. Like a free holiday, isn't it? Is your western employer going to pay for any of that?

And yes, I know that the expats in other professions get all that + salaries ten times higher. They just happen to be high paying professions, and the salaries back home between them and the teaching profession is just as significantly higher.

So, as I said initially, if your not happy, go for it! There's nothing stopping you!

[guruengerish]

Couldn't resist putting my nose into this.

Expats working for large companies certainly do get paid heaps more than expat teachers, and yes, they get huge houses and full-time maids and a driver and a car and all sorts of other perks. Possibly they're doing this to save a lot of money.

Ever heard of an English teacher saving money? I left the country having used some of my Aussie savings to pay for trips away, so I for one did not save a cent. However, I enjoyed living in a village, meeting the people, having dinners out with the students, learning the language and above all, enjoying the wonderful food. It's very difficult to find a good nasi gudeg in Oz!

So you have a choice. Get a contract with a big company, live like a king and save money - but, have you met the people at village level, joined in their funnny games on August 17th and still keep in touch with your old neighbours?

It's the people who make the country so interesting, not the flashy buildings or super highways in the big cities, and teaching the ordinary people a foreign language is an excellent way of meeting folk.

[Chester]

50% of indonesians live below the poverty line. you say it is refereshing that a teacher earns more than them?
al of my wife's family - a cop, an accountant, an airline employee, a florist, a manager - they all earn more than me. when i teach that is.
my other occupation pays better.

[phis]

Who said it was 'refreshing' that teachers' salaries were more than than the 'average' Indonesian salary?

I don't believe that your first post was about how little most Indonesian workers earn in relation to foreign teachers' salaries. It was about the difference between teachers' salaries and other expat occupations. You really do seem to have problems sticking to the point. Have you ever heard of 'logical argument'?

If you are already getting paid more for your 'other occupation', then why are you getting upset about 'teachers' salaries'?

I believe your original comments were about how much more other professions got paid in relation to teaching. If this isn't a problem for you, then why are you raising the issue at all?

[El Llama]

[Cardinal Synn]