i-to-i TEFL COUNTRY GUIDES: INDONESIA
Ranked as the world’s largest archipelago with over 17,000 islands, Indonesia is sprawled across the Indian Ocean like pieces of an unfinished jigsaw. It’s ripe for exploration with only a handful of its islands, including Sumatra, Java and Bali, significantly populated. The key to its position as one of South-East Asia’s most diverse countries lies with the multitude of settlers, explorers and traders who’ve flocked here for centuries.
Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam have all reigned supreme in Indonesia at one time or another, while both European and Japanese colonists have laid claim to the land. This has culminated in a fantastic mix of cultures and beliefs, with over 500 languages and dialects scattered across its pristine shores.
TEFL in Indonesia (Contracts, Salary, Work)
- Demand for Teachers
- Main TEFL Regions
- Busiest TEFL Periods
- Contract Lengths
- Types of Teaching
- Accommodation
- Flight Reimbursement
- Currency
- Salary
- Taxes
- Cost of Living
- Potential to Save Money
- How Much TEFL Training is Recommended?
- Common teaching conditions
Finding Work
Work Visas
Why choose Indonesia?
Be Aware
Before you go
A Few Fun Facts
TEFL in Indonesia (Contracts, Salary, Work)
Demand for teachers
HighWith tourism such an important industry, the ability to speak English is a valuable skill. North American and British teachers are in high demand, while recruitment from Australia and New Zealand is increasing.
Main TEFL regions
Jakarta, Bandung, Medan, Bogor and Surabaya; with many schools also on Sulawesi and Bali.Opportunities arise in both urban and rural areas.
Busiest TEFL periods
Year round, although demand peaks at the start of the academic year in September/OctoberContract lengths
Can vary: usually 6-18 monthsTypes of teaching
- Private Language Schools: General English, Business English
- State Primary & Secondary Schools: General English, English for Younger Learners
Accommodation
Schools usually include air-conditioned, bills-inclusive accommodation free-of-charge, or provide a housing allowance. Outside the biggest cities, you may have to arrange your own accommodation after the first month is provided free, though sometimes you will be given an interest-free loan to help you get on your feet.Flight reimbursement
Typically on completion of your 12-month contractCurrency
Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)Symbol: Rp
Salary
Can vary, but generally US$800-$1200 per month, relative to your qualifications and experience.Taxes
Income tax will vary from 5-25% depending on how much you earn. In practice, your overall income will be taxed at around 10%, which will be arranged by your employer.Cost of living
As a teacher, you will earn up to ten times the local salary and live a comfortable lifestyle. If you’re willing to forego expensive restaurants, you’ll find the delicious local food very cheap. Getting around won’t break the bank either, with long-distance bus journeys often costing less than a dollar.Potential to save money
Given the high salaries and low cost of living, it’s possible to save on as little as 7,000,000 (US$750) rupiah per year. But if you work outside the big cities and party less, you can save more!How much TEFL training is recommended?
Having any recognized TEFL qualification gives you an excellent chance of getting a pre-arranged job in the big cities. Although the better your qualifications, the higher your earning potential will be.Common teaching conditions
You will work for around 25 hours, spread over a 5-day working week, although this can vary. Lessons are usually between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m., with occasional early mornings and weekends.Finding Work
How do I find work?
The easiest way is to become TEFL-qualified and get a secured placement at a respectable school through i-to-i. Many private schools also advertise overseas and recruit internationally, so check adverts in your newspaper’s educational supplement.Can I find work while in-country?
You’re increasingly likely to get hired on-the-spot because schools won’t have to pay for your airfare, but make sure you have a recognized qualification to have the best chance of success. Whilst in-country it’s also easier to negotiate shorter contracts since you’re immediately available for work.What is the usual hiring process?
Once you’ve responded to an advert, you will either be interviewed in person or over the phone.Work Visas
Is a work visa required to find paid work in Indonesia?
A work permit is necessary, and will be arranged by the language school on your behalf. If you plan to find work independently, you can arrive on a tourist visa (which is valid for 2 months and re-issuable), and arrange a work permit whilst in-country.Work Visa requirements:
- English speaker from the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or the UK
- TEFL Qualification
- Definite job offer
Why Choose Indonesia?
- Beautiful country with plenty to see and do
- Cheap to travel around
- Friendly, hospitable people
- Low cost of living and relatively high salaries
- High demand for teachers but lenient visa requirements
Be Aware…
It is possible to sneakily bypass visa requirements by teaching English in return for living with families in more remote areas. But Indonesia’s work permit regulations are strict, and doing so could see you deported and barred from the country for life.
Before you go
Read this…
This Earth of Mankind by Pramoedya Ananta Toer– first in the author’s controversial series about a Javanese intellectual and his difficulties with colonial rule.Watch this…
Arisan! – funny, witty drama about the lives of a group of thirtysomething JakartansA Few Fun Facts
- Indonesia is the fourth most populous country in the world, with 221 million people
- It has over 300 separate ethnic groups
- It is made up of over 17,000 islands
- It has fascinating wildlife, with a lizard that grows to over 3m-long and a Mouse Deer that stands only 13 inches high!
