Job Discussion Forums

[moot point]

I'm curious about working in the ESOL department in one of Indonesia's international schools. I've recently been helping a Japanese colleague of mine enrol her daughter in the program at JIS.

Any idea what it takes to obtain employment with these schools?

And are ESOL teachers terms of employment the same as classroom teachers?

[rayman]

Expectations on qualifications and experience can vary greatly between international schools. Schools the like of JIS and BIS would normally require you to have a B.A. of Education or equivalent + a MA (TESOL) or equivalent + experience teaching at Elementary or Secondary school level in your home country. These two schools also do the great majority of their hiring overseas. The other International Schools in Jakarta set the bar on qualifications relatively lower and are more likely to hire locally than the BIG 2. Yet, I doubt you would be considered without a BA + CELTA and ESL Teaching experience

[rayman]

As far as terms of employment for ESL teachers being the same as regular class teachers, it really depends. If the ESL teacher is also a qualified primary or secondary teacher and they have a full time workload, then conditions would be the same. If, on the other hand, they only have ESL certification and/or a lighter workload, then pay adjustments would be made accordingly.

[moot point]

Thanks a lot for your replies. I am sorry I missed your original reply about a month back.

It's something for me to keep in mind for the future. I currently hold an MA (TESOL) and have several years teaching in primary/secondary schools to EFL-learners.

What I'm missing is the teacher's qualification. I'm considering pursuing yet another Master's enabling to obtain teacher quals. but just wanted to see what my chances would be without them.

It seems it might be better in the long run to obtain the additional teaching qualifications, I guess, even though it will be a considerable investment of time and money.

[wannaBguru]

MA tesol would get u a job at the korean and japanese schools. pay is only about 2000 us dollars without other benefits. ghandi school would probably hire too, but they only pay about 1500 to 1800 but they encourage their teachers to do privates after school. i think the majority of other schools would also definately be interested. Anybody know if JIS and BIS have ESOL dept. or do they just have regular English teachers for native speaker students?

[rayman]

As said above, you'd been in quite good standing for many of the international schools with the qualifications you currently have. You could always try to get into one of these schools first, then undertake a Grad Dip Ed through distance learning.

[moot point]

Thanks again for your insightful responses.

[rayman]

$2000 a month is do-able with a family of four. But you wouldn't expect to have much left over at the end of each month. 6 months ago $2000 equated to Rp20 million. Now it's only Rp17.4 million. You could live a comfortable life on this. Particularly considering your children's education is likely to be free. To start saving you'd really need to be on $2500 and up. Working at international schools you'll find it easy to pick up extra tutoring work from cashed up parents. You could add an extra Rp2 million a month through these methods if you're inclined. With a GradDipEd it would normally bump your pay up another 10-20%

[Chester]

Moot point
gee man, you want to take your kids to jakarta?
in god's name why?
even middle-upper class indo kids live in a bubble.
but if you want them to hate you and resent you for the rest of their lives, go for it.

[moot point]

Thanks, Chester. It's definitely something to consider.

Are any other readers of this post in a similar situation with children in Jakarta? I'd like to hear your feelings and/or experiences of raising kids in Jakarta.

[sidjameson]

Moot, my friend just took his young kids back to Australia from Japan. They are so much happier there. They have space, they dont feel like freaks, they have clean air. Jakarta I think must be even harder for young kids. WHere are they going to kick a football around with their mates? Can you see them going for long walks with their gang? I too think that you have to think long and hard about whether this is the best thing for them.

[ls650]

I have to agree with 'Chester'. Jakarta is such a hectic, polluted place, I wouldn't subject my children to being there.

I think if I were offered a job in a more pleasant, clean location Indonesia could be a great experience for them, but I wouldn't take kids to Jakarta. Most Indonesians who can afford it try to get their kids OUT of Jakarta as much as possible!

[gugelhupf]

Kids of senior high school age - maybe. Younger kids - NEVER.

A life of peering through the tinted car windows at the world outside as they are driven from gated housing complex to shopping mall. At school they read story books about children going fishing or cycling in the countryside, and they wonder what those things must be like. They learn that it's OK to leave a mess for someone else to clear up because there is always someone else to do that. Their idea of the great outdoors is Dunia Fantasi at Ancol.

Life here as an adult (who has already benefitted from a great childhood) suits me very well. I am happy here. Would I be a happy person today if I had had the kind of childhood just described? I wonder...

[moot point]

Thanks, guys, for bringing me back to reality.

I guess going to Oz for another post-grad. would be better after all, even if it ends up costing me an arm, leg, and a 30-year mortgage.

[GuruStip]

BIS also have an ESL department - they advertised a couple of months back.
It's true about the Jakarta childhood - they really are poor little rich kids. Going to have to make some big decisions when the Stiplette comes along, trying to balance the income with the quality of life for a weeun.