Indonesia

Indonesia has the fourth highest population in the world which means there are always plenty of job opportunities for English language teachers. The largest job markets are found in the cities on the main island of Java, particularly the capital city, Jakarta. Although you will also find jobs available on many of the country’s other islands including the popular tourist haven of Bali.

How to Find a TEFL Job in Indonesia

It is possible to secure a teaching position in Indonesia from outside of the country as many employers advertise their vacant positions online. However, if you are looking for work without being in the country it is important that you thoroughly research any employers you come across as working conditions do vary considerably from one school to another. It is also quite common for teaching jobs to come with accommodation included as a part of the teaching contract in Indonesia. It is certainly advisable to inspect any accommodation you are offered before agreeing to the job as the standard of accommodation is not always that high. Ideally you should look for jobs which offer a housing allowance so you are free to choose your own accommodation.

Questions to Ask Employers

If you are offered a teaching position that you are interested in, you should make sure that you are clear on a few important issues before you accept the job or sign a contract. Firstly, you should make sure that you have precise details regarding your pay scale, the amount of hours you will be expected to work, as well as any benefits you are entitled to such as travel expenses, health care or housing support. It is also a good idea to know what equipment and materials you will have access to when planning and carrying out your lessons. Finally, you should also enquire about the need for work permits or visas and whether the employer will help with the organisation and expense of any official paperwork you may require.

Job Expectations in Indonesia

To qualify for a work permit in Indonesia you will require an internationally recognised TEFL certificate, while some teaching positions also require you to have a university degree. However, you will generally find that the English language industry in Indonesia is very flexible and often all you will require is a good sense of humour and a positive attitude.

Teacher’s salaries are generally not as good as in some other countries in the region, however, the cost of living is relatively low so you should earn enough to live a comfortable lifestyle. If you do find that you require a little extra spending money then you should be able to increase your income by offering your services as a private English tutor in your spare time.