Job Discussion Forums

jbannister · Joined: 24 Mar 2009 Posts: 5 Location: Boulder, Colorado

Hello,
I'm looking for my first TEFL job. In 1997 I rec'd my B.A. in English and I recently rec'd my TEFL cert w/120 hours instruction & 18 hours classroom time w/feedback.
I spoke with someone in Palembang about a job...does anyone have any feedback they'd like to share about that city?
Thanks!
Jen
Boulder, CO

Vertumnus · Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 142 Location: Indonesia

All I can tell you is that it is rather a concrete jungle, and it's trademark food, pempek (empek-empek), is pretty yummy - if you get the variety that's not fishy tasting! Smile

How's Boulder? I love that place!

-D

missjo · Joined: 23 Dec 2008 Posts: 15 Location: Jkt

Ah The Bang... lived and worked there for 4.5 years. Great food, great weather, greater people, funny old city.

Population around 1.5 million, about 10 foreigners living there. If you want to live in an "Indonesian" city rather than a huge international city, then it's a good choice. Be prepared to involve yourself with local friends if you're going to get the most out of the place. Don't expect anything to work the way it should. Power cuts and water shortages are routine but the locals make up for the practical difficulties. Everyone from beggars and becak drivers to mega rich palm oil barons treated me with the greatest kindness and respect.

Feel quite homesick.. Smile

jbannister · Joined: 24 Mar 2009 Posts: 5 Location: Boulder, Colorado

Thanks for responding, I appreciate it. It helps so much. I am still looking for a job in Indonesia, (I am finally free to focus on it). Jakarta is too big for me, but I'm open to just about anywhere else. I was thinking Sumatra, however, it seems like most of the jobs are on Java.
I was happy that I have an interview later tonight (MST....in the early afternoon Indonesian time) with EF in Sidoarjo (owned by Eduka Group); until I did further research on the little boiling volcanic ash flow. I am not sure what to think of the situation, it looks like an unimaginable tragedy from the media I've seen on the web.
So, not feeling very enthuiastic about putting myself near a vat of boiling ash and wafts of volcanic gases. A choice I'm sure the displaced Indonesians would like to have had. But, it's hard to tell how close the flow site is from the city of Sidoarjo. Can anyone tell me?
The other location in question is Jember. I think it might be too remote for me, but, I can't find much information about it.
Also, the EF thing is a dilemma. Since I'm new, I think I'll ask around about the particular group/school if I get an offer and go from there. I can tolerate a moderate amount of monkey business in return for the first year of experience I so want to have.
Thanks and I hope you are well.

Paul - I am really sorry to have not been paying closer attention to the information you generously provided in your message. I was multi-tasking to the nth degree at work. Still no excuse. Thank you for helping, and again, my apologies.

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

willcu303 · Joined: 12 May 2009 Posts: 1

Hi Jen. Like you I have recently completed my certification (ironically with other CU grads in the course) and Indonesia is my top choice for work. I haven't decided on where yet, but will not be able to begin work until early 2010.

I spent some time in Jakarta and Surabaya and the later city is a likely place that I will end up working. In the short time I was in the country, I became enamored with the place, including the madness of Jakarta.

My resume is submitted at a few schools, EF being one choice but not my first. I was wondering if EF responded to your application submission and mentioned that Indonesia requires one year of ESL teaching abroad due to immigration law? This was the first I'd heard of this. I have a BA and MA with over a year of teaching (non-english) experience. I contacted a school director in Surabaya whom I know and she said it's not necessary. She is very cautious about these things.

Best of luck in your search! Hello to Boulder for me, I lived there a couple years.

jbannister · Joined: 24 Mar 2009 Posts: 5 Location: Boulder, Colorado

Nope, the woman I spoke with made no mention of a previous year's ESL work requirement. I have a second interview, but I really hope I can find something else...
If I get into CU's MFA program, I plan to come back and go in the fall of 2010...or, postpone 'til 2011 if possible, once I'm out teaching, I may not want to come back, or so I hear : )
Does anyone have any suggestions for schools in the Surabaya area, or any thoughts on other worthwhile places to spend a year or more of one's life in Indonesia?
Again, many thanks.