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doodle
Joined: 09 Feb 2009 Posts: 3 Location: nyc
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Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 3:45 am Post subject: Ready to leap! |
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Hi all! I am a newbie here and have been reading through this site with much fascination. While in school I have always considered going abroad but never had the guts to do it. So here I am a few years later ready to take that risk. I know that I want to be a teacher someday but I would like to take a few years off before I pursue my grad degree.
I want to teach in Indonesia because I am an Indonesian American, born and raised in NYC. I think that this might be a good opportunity for me to not only learn about my roots, but also develop as a teacher.
But, I don't even know where to start. I can't go anytime soon because I need to save up some money first. I am looking into leaving towards the end of the year. Also, I am not sure which courses I should take so I can become certified. I know several people suggest taking the certification courses in the country you want to teach, but I don't feel comfortable going all the way across the world without something guaranteed.
Please help! I will be grateful for any advice you guys can share. Thank you in advance. |
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Vertumnus
Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 142 Location: Indonesia
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Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2009 10:16 am Post subject: Re: Ready to leap! |
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First, you didn't mention your degree. What is it?
Second, it's admirable that you want to learn about your roots. Have you consulted your Indonesian (grand)parent to get an idea first? Have you read any books?
I would suggest that you get certified by some sort of English-related program. This could be TESOL, CELTA, teaching English or something else related, such as IELTS, TOEIC, or TOEFL. You can check with local universities' ESL/EFL/ESOL programs to find out about which certifications are especially useful overseas. Also, you can peruse job boards (like this one, JobsDB.com, Jobstreet.com, Monster, etc.) to see what employers are asking for/expecting/begging for. There is, to my knowledge, no requirement that you have to take the course in the country you want to teach in.
Finally, there are no guarantees. I came here with a job promise but, when I arrived, my job (and the company) had disappeared. That said, it was extremely easy to find a job and, if you are qualified with the proper education/experience, you can get into just about anywhere.
Keep in mind that the interviewing process here isn't much more scientific than it is in the US. In fact, it's very socially oriented. They want to hire people they think will get along well with the team. "Team" is more important than "I" here, so you'll need to come across as a cooperative, easy-to-work-with person.
-D |
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doodle
Joined: 09 Feb 2009 Posts: 3 Location: nyc
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Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2009 3:24 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for your input Vertumnus.
I do in fact have a degree. A BA in English Literature and a minor in history.
As far as knowing about Indonesia, I know a bit about it. I am not very familiar with the culture/traditions. I understand Indonesian and can kinda speak it as well. Nothing too great though. I don't know any of the slang terminologies or different dialects each island speaks.
I've only been to Indonesia twice, for only several weeks, so I would really like to spend some time there and just see what it's like.
If I want to leave in December or January 2010, when do you suppose I should start this process? |
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missjo
Joined: 23 Dec 2008 Posts: 15 Location: Jkt
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Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 7:14 am Post subject: |
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For the last year or so it's been taking my school around 2 months to get a proper work visa issued for the ex-pat teachers and that's after considerable bribes have been paid!
Some places will ask you to enter on a tourist visa and then go to Singapore to collect the full visa once the paperwork has been completed. DON"T accept this situation if they expect you to work straight away. If you are caught working on a tourist visa the deportation stamp goes in your passport and the employer may just get his/her knuckles wrapped.
So if you're planning to leave around Dec/Jan you need to have accepted a job by around October. Hope that helps.
As for the negative posts on this forum, it doesn't take many minutes of research to spot the 'usual suspects'.
Good Luck! |
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Revenant Mod Team


Joined: 28 Jul 2005 Posts: 1109
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Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 6:12 pm Post subject: |
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Posts not relevant to the topic have been removed.
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tanyakenapa
Joined: 06 Feb 2007 Posts: 180 Location: Batavia
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Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 2:45 am Post subject: |
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You can come here and sign a contract while they do the KITAS processing, especially if its during the school holiday period Because you wont need to be in the office anyway during that time... so u cant get into trouble
I came in on a tourist visa during the school's term break, it took them two weeks only to get things organised then I was plane to Singapore for the KITAS... .simple... then renewing the KITAS the following 3 years, I havent needed to fly to Singapore at all, they can do it from Jakarta. |
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malu
Joined: 22 Apr 2007 Posts: 1344 Location: Sunny Java
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Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 3:03 am Post subject: |
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tanyakenapa wrote: |
, I havent needed to fly to Singapore at all, they can do it from Jakarta. |
I was surprised to discover that this is, in fact, true. If you look in your blue book from Imigrasi there are pages to record 'Perpanjangan' or extensions. I have no idea why my previous employer found it necesary to issue an EPO and have me fly out each year.
There again, this is my first employer that has done everything by the book - I came in on a C visa, was registered for tax, and I keep all the documents myself. |
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Vertumnus
Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 142 Location: Indonesia
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Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 7:02 am Post subject: Timing |
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doodle wrote: |
Thanks for your input Vertumnus.
I do in fact have a degree. A BA in English Literature and a minor in history.
As far as knowing about Indonesia, I know a bit about it. I am not very familiar with the culture/traditions. I understand Indonesian and can kinda speak it as well. Nothing too great though. I don't know any of the slang terminologies or different dialects each island speaks.
I've only been to Indonesia twice, for only several weeks, so I would really like to spend some time there and just see what it's like.
If I want to leave in December or January 2010, when do you suppose I should start this process? |
I don't pretend to have all the answers, but I'm here to help (and be helped, when needed).
Your degree will open the doors of even national plus & international schools, especially in secondary, since literature is a required topic at that level in many schools. It'll also get you into language courses and other jobs in English, as well. I've known more than one lit major who landed a teaching job with no ed. major and no experience.
I'd suggest learning some from your family. What ethnic background are you from? First and foremost, this isn't the US, and you're bound to have culture-shock. Keep a very open mind and try not to be too direct with people, although in some provinces the people are direct (such as the Batak of Sumatra), areas dominated by the Javanese (and Balinese) tend to not like conflict, confrontation or directness. Diplomacy is a big thing for the Javanese, and fitting in. I would have to write a book to explain all that I know about the cultures here, and I don't know much about most ethnic groups, so it'd be a very incomplete book...
Indonesia can be a joy or a terrible experience - much of it depends on you.
When to start? That depends on which process you mean.
Start looking at least 3 months before you want to be there, preferably targeting July or January, since that's when semesters usually start, unless you are going after language schools - and they take people all year long.
6 months will give you more time and allow you to be more choosy about what you accept. Don't accept anything you wouldn't accept back home.
It's possible to look last minute and find a job, but it's always hit-or-miss, and you may just be replacing someone who ran away (because they were miserable - and so shall you be). You can come here and look, but you'll need a bankroll to make sure you don't get into financial straits.
Under ideal conditions, sign a contract 3 months prior to work, and the documents to get your work & living permits very shortly after that. This means you'll enter the country with a work visa and won't have any trouble with immigration. Make sure they give you a return ticket home if you come in on anything else.
-D |
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doodle
Joined: 09 Feb 2009 Posts: 3 Location: nyc
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Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 2:11 am Post subject: |
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Funny you mention that Vertumnus. I am actually Half Manadonese and Half Javanese. Growing up it was always fun to see the different ways my parents and relatives would handle situations. Also, I have batak friends and you are definitely spot on in the way they behave. I have been exposed to the cultural differences between each island. Many of my friends are also first generation Indonesian-Americans and though we know a bit about our ethnicity, it would be safe to say we're more American, or New Yorkers rather, than anything.
I am not terribly afraid of adjusting to Indonesian life, but I am worried about getting swindled due to the corrupt nature of things there. How can I be certain upon going there that the school really does exist? Also, which certification would be most beneficial to teach there? When is peak hiring season?
I suppose if I must, I can move in with relatives and get certified while living in Indonesia, but I would rather have that be my last option.
I guess I am just looking for some advice on what to do. I am quite confused about this whole process but really excited at the same time.
Thanks again for the help! |
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Vertumnus
Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 142 Location: Indonesia
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Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 11:18 am Post subject: What to do |
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doodle wrote: |
Funny you mention that Vertumnus. I am actually Half Manadonese and Half Javanese. Growing up it was always fun to see the different ways my parents and relatives would handle situations. Also, I have batak friends and you are definitely spot on in the way they behave. I have been exposed to the cultural differences between each island. Many of my friends are also first generation Indonesian-Americans and though we know a bit about our ethnicity, it would be safe to say we're more American, or New Yorkers rather, than anything.
I am not terribly afraid of adjusting to Indonesian life, but I am worried about getting swindled due to the corrupt nature of things there. How can I be certain upon going there that the school really does exist? Also, which certification would be most beneficial to teach there? When is peak hiring season?
I suppose if I must, I can move in with relatives and get certified while living in Indonesia, but I would rather have that be my last option.
I guess I am just looking for some advice on what to do. I am quite confused about this whole process but really excited at the same time.
Thanks again for the help! |
What I say isn't the do all or be all of answers, ok?
If you know how to haggle, and you can bluff your way around pompous government officials (mostly Javanese), you'll be fine.
If the school is advertising, it probably exists. If you want, put a message up asking people here and on other forums like www.livinginindonesiaforums.com (sic?) and ask. I have heard many stories about shady schools, and almost none about phantom schools.
Peak hiring is 3-4 months before January and July, but you can find jobs any time of year due to attrition and language courses (albeit not the pick of the litter).
If you have a bachelor's (preferably education or lit), that's really helpful. CELTA, TESOL or other English teaching certification is a definite plus, but not required unless you want to get into the best places. A master's or PhD will open all the other doors...
I hope the others can chip in their knowledge about certs and degrees...
-D |
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raven_sable
Joined: 06 Feb 2009 Posts: 8
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Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 6:50 am Post subject: |
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Firstly take a TESL course, it is the most internationally respected - if you want to go elsewhere after Indonesia then it's your best choice. Do not come here and take a course, do it in the USA.
After that you should get a job relatively easily. It would be a good way to get experience for teaching, just be careful where you go when you come here. See misojos post, but the regular offenders are usualy the same four or five people being negative. I am putting this in black and white because I am sick of reading the same thing.
One other thing, some places may be a little reluctant about hiring you because, for good or ill, a lot of emphasis is put on skin color here. A lot of people will expect to see a white native teaching their child English, not someone of any other ethnicity. I don't agree with the situation but it does exist unfortunately. |
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Atoms for Peace
Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 135 Location: NKRI
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Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 3:04 am Post subject: |
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raven_sable wrote: |
Firstly take a TESL course, it is the most internationally respected - if you want to go elsewhere after Indonesia then it's your best choice. Do not come here and take a course, do it in the USA. |
TESL is a generic expression, not the name of a course. You can take recognized courses here in Indonesia. TBI offers the Cambridge ESOl CELTA in Jakarta, while IALF runs the Trinity. |
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