Cheers, you've been a big help

Teaching in Indonesia is good! The weather is the only real killer, being hot all the time sometimes the classes get really hot and the aircon isn't powerful enough. Most of the kids speak English and are not troublesome although they are pretty much all sent here by parents and they have nannies to care for them so they have the rich kid persona 'If I don't like it I won't do it'. Teaching hours are pretty stable at this EF I have 22.40 teaching hours per week. The resources are a plenty too. Internet speed is quite good so using youtube in lessons is available!

Thanks for the info. What do you think on a personal note about teaching in Indonesia, teaching hours, childrens attitute etc

Hi Nessgell, you will find that not all schools require CELTA, I have just the i-to-i 120hr TEFL and I got a placement but having looked at other positions around indonesia the only school I have come across who will ONLY accept people with CELTA is Wall Street, they are a very good school and pay very well so if you are thinking of making a career then get a CELTA and apply to them, but if you don't want to spend $2000 on a CELTA then you can find work in Indonesia no problem. Try EF as your first port of call, they usually have vacancies and the process is very easy. Fly here on tourist visa, get papers arranged, fly to singapore for your visa (1 day) come back and start teaching. Any other questions let me know!

Hi Robert, I've just signed up to this site and come across your blog. I am currently working in EF Yiwu in China but origionally was looking at Indonesia and found many of the schools required CELTA which I don't have. I would love to work in Indonesia at some point along with a few other places. What qualifications did you need to get the position there? I finish my year here in July 2010 and deciding that China is really not for me am looking at Cambodia, Indonesia or South America as my next stop. Would be gratefull for your input.

 Thanks, Ness

I have been here for 8 months now and and I have only worked a few Saturdays, That was doing E+ which is a homework club where we help with their school homework, that was 2hrs only between 10-12. Some of the other schools in the group do have to work more Saturdays. If you can find out from Gusti which school you will be placed that would be good, you might get placed here as we need a few more teachers!

Things to bring is a hard one, everything is pretty much easily available except some certain brands of food etc, if your not a really huge person then clothes shouldn't be a problem to buy, you can get big sizes but it narrows your choice a little, trust me I know! haha

I basically brought with me clothes, laptop, camera and some teaching materials (stupid, I should have printed them here after travelling!) Like I said everything you need is available easily!

I'll be working with EF Swara as well. I applied through i-to-i. I got an email this week explaining what will happen in the first month, contracts and inductions etc. Its starting to become more real. How is the work load, having to work mostly 6 days a week? one final question is there anything you recommed I should bring because it is not available over there or would make life easier.

:) Thank you.

Hi Shan, Thanks for the comment, Yes I am working for EF. Swara Group to be exact, did you get a placement through EF?

When I first got here it was fine, get picked up from the airport and driven to my apartment I share with the other teachers. You can always find something to do here, not always on your doorstep but travel is really cheap e.g. 30-45 min taxi around $10, the main focal point here is malls, thats where people hang out!

Indonesian is a very easy language to pick up as there is only 1 tense and no gender, our school and most schools will probably provide at least an hour of Indonesian lessons per week but you can always ask your colleagues if they want help with their English in Exchange for Indonesian lessons. Just be prepared to act silly if you don't know the word and you end up describing it to someone! The people are friendly and love it when you try to speak their language!

If you have any more questions let me know!

Hi Robert. Its finally nice to know someone who is working in Indonesia. I'll be arriving in February to teach in Jakarta. How was it when you first arrived? How is Jakarta is there a lot to keep you entertained? Your Indonesian seems very good is it easy to pick up? I am very excited although scared at the same time. Are you working with EF?

:)