Job Discussion Forums

[alc]

Can anyone recommend language schools in Jakarta that pay at least 11 to 12 million Rp. a month?

I have one year of teaching experience (Cambridge YLE and KET courses), a university degree (B.S.), and a CELTA. I'm planning on applying to several TBI locations and the Wall Street Institute. Are there any other language centers that offer the previously mentioned level of pay for someone with my qualifications?

Thanks!

[alc]

I'm going to re-phrase my question to see if I can get some responses.

What can someone with my level of qualifications (native speaker, CELTA, B.S., 1 year teaching experience) expect for a monthly salary from language schools in the Jakarta area?

Thanks!

[aku_tonpa]

These schools MIGHT offer the kind of salary you are interested in; International House, Direct English, English Education Center. Also KELT in Surabaya.

[teacherINDO]

From my knowledge, schools like Wall Street Institute in Jakarta offer a gross salary in the 15 million rupiah range, before taxes of course. Hope that helps!

[bluetortilla]

Ah, but what about this new English related BA requirement obstacle?

[Durian Tango]

The rule is you have to have an English-related BA or higher degree to work legally in Indonesia at an ESL school. Some schools are sticking strictly (or quite strictly to this) and others are finding their way around the regulation though I won't speculate on how they are doing it. I believe the ones you mentioned, TBI and Wall Street Institute are a couple of the schools that are trying to stick to the regulations - they also tend to pay higher than many of the other schools.

You may just have to shop yourself around and see who is ready to take you on, even without the English degree. You might double check with them HOW exactly they intend to hire you legally if you don't have the correct degree as you wouldn't want to endanger yourself.

Good luck!

[bluetortilla]

I've been teaching English for 20 years. What percent of EFL teachers have an English related BA anyway? That many that the schools can fill the positions?

[Durian Tango]

You might be surprised how many people out there have a degree related to English (or degree in TEFL, writing etc.). That being said, I'm sure it's more challenging for schools to get teachers now. Though of course, it's not the schools' fault this is happening, it's the government's misguided attempt to bolster the level of ESL instruction.

I think what we'll see in Indonesia is a lot more English degree holding ESL teachers who have lesser quality TEFL certification.

I still wish the media would pick up on this story and share the plight of ESL schools in Indonesia. I think most schools are ready to limit their hiring to only BA/BS holding teachers now, but the English specific restriction I'm sure must be creating a real challenge for schools and ultimately, reducing the quality of ESL instruction as schools are now forced to hire candidates from a much smaller pool than before.

That's my two cents.

[bluetortilla]

Exactly what I figured!

Indonesia is the only place (not to mention the least likely) I've heard of doing this. My BA is in Political Science. Can that stretched to 'English related?' Tee hee

[Atoms for Peace]

[bluetortilla]

[Durian Tango]

[quote] In the midst of the increasing anti-foreigner sentiment in Indonesia now, who cares how badly language schools are hit, as long as foreigners suffer? Even if it means the end of any decent teaching here (because let's face it, if you have an English degree, why would you teach in Indonesia given the poor pay and societal hostility), that's no problem as long as it gets the bules out...[/quote]

I'm afraid I don't agree with this comment. Do you have any specific examples of 'anti-foreigner sentiment' and have any examples of them trying to 'get the bules out'? I have been here for 5+ years now have seen very little evidence of either one of these. In fact, for most bules, Indonesia remains a fairly paradisical place (otherwise there wouldn't be so many of us here!). This is still a country where a guy who is nobody back home can live like a king and where foreigners are given fairly little hassle in the big scheme of things. I live right downtown in the thick of a kampung and have no complaints.

Personally I love this country and the people and I feel I've been treated fairly my whole time here. Personal experiences may vary, but overall, my colleagues and friends would share a similar sentiment.

I think we have to be careful about letting a few isolated incidences in the news speak for the general public as a whole. As we all know, the news in Indonesia is sensationalized for total shock effect so as to sell more papers and glue people to their TVs.

[teacherINDO]

All of you make some interesting comments. However, I'd like to set the record straight about a few things. I taught at WSI Indonesia for two years, and I have to say it's one of, if not the best, places to teach at. Whatever new regulations are there, the new teachers I worked with were all really professional and accomplished (many had Master's degrees and CELTAs too). It's also the best place in terms of people and environment I've ever worked at--the decor is better than most corporate offices. If someone had an English-related degree and a TEFL, I'd urge them to come here.

I'm not sure what societal hostility a previous poster was talking about. Life as a WSI teacher is pretty much like a celebrity's (in a good way). All the students respected us in my time there, including some pretty famous artists, businesspeople, and government officials (and cool university students and yuppies too). I was treated like a rockstar almost everywhere I went. I can't remember any type of disparaging treatment.

Also, my salary was pretty high, and with the dollar falling, I was making over $1800 USD a month (damn good). Add a month's bonus to that for finishing my contract plus a $100 USD raise when working my second year, and it's very good money (I lived really well here, nice apartment with a pool, etc.).

So I have to agree with Durian Tango's assessment. Really wonderful country, everyone is very friendly, and you would be much more respected and admired here than you would be as a teacher back in the U.S. or Britain, that's for sure.

[bluetortilla]

I'm most definitely enamored. Consider me on my way to Sumatra!

Indonesia has a bad rep as somehow being 'dangerous.' I don't believe it. In fact, it seems to enjoy a more stable community/social network than other countries. And it's gorgeous (well, not talking about urban centers here).

Indonesia has seen a lot of political violence and instability, that's for sure. There have been terrible tragedies. And it's not immune to mob violence occasionally either. But I believe, though I've never been there, that it must be a magical place and I really want to go.

I hope the volcano situation gets better rather than worse.

[Durian Tango]

[quote="bluetortilla"]
Indonesia has seen a lot of political violence and instability, that's for sure. There have been terrible tragedies. And it's not immune to mob violence occasionally either. But I believe, though I've never been there, that it must be a magical place and I really want to go.

I hope the volcano situation gets better rather than worse.[/quote]

Right you are Blue Tortilla - Indonesia certainly has seen it's share of troubles and in fact another teacher I was talking to the other day said he wanted to be ready to flee the country at any moment in case of unrest and he referred to the riots of 1998. But really, that was 13 years ago and we haven't seen anything like that since then, so people need to let go of the past a little and live in the present - which as I mentioned before, is pretty damn good in my humble opinion.

About the volcanos - personally, as an intrepid hiker, I LIKE the the fact that volcanos here are so active - it makes them a lot more interesting to hike around on and of course gives us spectacular places like Krakatau, Rinjani and Kawah Ijen which are awesome places to visit and explore. This being said, I can hardly blame others for be a bit wary of the mountains which, on occasion, can act up and blow some smoke. Luckily, the majority of towns and citys that most expats live in are not even close to being in danger of suffering from an exploding volcano (though those in Yogya certainly got a front row seat recently).