So it’s the first day of the launch for i-to-i’s teacher forum ‘Chalkboard’ and this will be my third post. But it will be my first post relating to up-to date information, my previous two posts were an introduction, please read if you haven’t done already and a post about something that happened two weeks ago. Now we’re up-to date let’s begin, as my old teacher at infant school used to say ‘are you sitting comfortably? ....’
Today has been an interesting day although fraught with disaster. This morning my girlfriend came to visit and as I went for a shower I fell over hit my head on the side of a bath-type water holder and my hand on the floor, I’m ok kind of, just have a cut at the top of my nose and my middle two knuckles have been swollen all day! Next when I was at school I was neglected to be told that out iLab (computer room) was not working whilst they did some maintenance to the internet, thus my 40 min planned lesson had to be stretched into the whole 80 min, with some extra games thrown into the pot for good measure, once you have been teaching for a few months you get to know what the kids like to play and in situations such as this you are able to quickly think of an activity to get them engaged. What I will say is contrary to my DOS (Director of Studies aka Manager) is that the activities/games you play do not always have to be fully educational, I find that playing simple games such as bomber-ball, a game where a soft ball is thrown around (usually at) students until a timer runs out then BOOM the person holding the ball is out, can tire out the students enough so they are not bouncing off the walls in the classroom and also makes them feel like they are not in school, where they have likely been for the previous part of the day.
But as 7:20 came my final class (3 x 80min) was over and I was able to come home to rest my hand, right now I am writing this post on the terrace/porch of my bedroom with a nice cold beer, The brand is Bintang which means Star and it costs about $1.90 for a 750ml bottle, The only sound is the hum of the air conditioner and the occasional tutututut of the bats.
I live just 10 minute walk from the school in a secure complex with security guards and a checkpost. I don’t want you to think its all military/prison style as its not, It is common for all areas including the malls to have this type of security and it works better than always relying on the police, prevention is better than the cure, right?
So now I am just going to finish my beer then watch a DVD, whilst I upload some pictures to Chalkboard.
If you have any questions or comments please let me know I would love to hear your feedback, just leave a comment or send me a message and I will get straight back to you!
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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?
:)
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