Job Discussion Forums

[Uncle Gweilo]

By way of introduction: I have a basic TESOL Certificate, done through Teach International here in Australia which was a series of half-days of class instruction and the rest as online content. This was done in 2003 and I have little to no classroom experience to add to my r�sum� since then. This, I fully understand, will give me little in the way of bargaining power in negotiating a halfway decent contract with a decent school. I am also 51 years old but want to make a clean break from my current employment and get into a field I think suits my talents and is the real reason I'm on this earth- to teach.

Another site I subscribe to has had several ads in recent months for teachers from English First in Jakarta. Their ad lists "Competitive salary allowing for a comfortable lifestyle and holidays within Indonesia" with share accommodation provided.

I've heard and read some less-than-complimentary reviews about some EF franchises- principally in parts of China- which sees teachers more as revenue raisers for the franchisees rather than as providers of quality English instruction for the students, and the working conditions being markedly different from those stated in the "want" ad.

So, basically, has anyone on here had any direct experience with EF Jakarta? Are the people running the show basically honest to deal with as employers and do they provide adequate levels of training, support and encouragement for new teachers? I hear EF's salary level is below many others- of the order of 5 to 7 juta (that's million rupiah per month). This will be okay if the rent is free or a minimal deduction from the salary. I'm not afraid of hard work and long hours, so long as there is no rampant abuse of the "privilege". I need the experience and am prepared for a little "short term pain for long term gain".

My other concern is Jakarta. Even the tourist guide books list Jakarta as almost a place to avoid due to the chronic congestion, pollution and so on. If the accommodation is close to the school I suppose that'd be okay, but I think I'd prefer somewhere a little less hectic, such as Surabaya.

Saya hanya berbahasa Indonesia sedikit sedikit saja. I studied it for two years in high school over 35 years ago, but will probably pick it up fairly quickly if/when I move there. So long as everyone I meet is not only concerned with using me to practise their bahasa Inggeris!

I'm also taking my annual leave in Indonesia in April. If I respond to EF's ad, I will state that and ask if I can visit one of their schools for a face-to-face meet up with the emlpoyer and a couple of the teachers.

Thanking you in advance for reading this and for any information you can provide.

Garry a.k.a. Uncle Gweilo.


p.s. If anyone can suggest another employer and/or location within Indonesia that provides a similar salary and accommodation package, please feel free to mention it.