How to Begin Teaching in Indonesia

Originally Known as the Spice Islands

There is a large demand for EFL in Indonesia and students are eager to learn.

Indonesia has the fourth-largest population in the world, with approximately 238 million people and 17, 508 islands, of which 6,000 are inhabited. Some of the well-known islands are Bali, Sumatra and Java. Indonesia also boasts over 500 languages and dialects. Sitting on the equator, the weather is extremely hot and Indonesia experiences summer while Western Europe is in winter. This country, originally known as the Spice Islands due to past trade with India, China, Europe and the Middle East, produces home-grown cloves and nutmeg. These and other spices are found in the local cuisine. Dishes to liven your palate are the famous Satay Sambal, Nasi Goreng (Balinese Rice) and Gado Gado (vegetables in a thick peanut sauce). Travel opportunities are also extensive here. It is possible to visit the Gili Islands and swim with the turtles, or see the orang-utans of Sumatra, or soak up the beauty of Bali. The vastness of this country means that it brings with it a variety of choices for where to work as an English teacher.

Teaching Opportunities

There is a large demand for EFL in Indonesia and students are eager to learn. Teaching opportunities are varied, depending on where you want to teach. Jakarta and Bandung are hubs for work due to the fact that this region is home to the oil industry and Jakarta is the capital city. Another reason is that over 60% of the population live on the island of Java, where Jakarta is situated. Here you will find private language schools and state possibilities, as well as business English opportunities. If the busy traffic of Jakarta is not for you, and you are looking for a more stunning, beach-style existence then Bali, with its strong tourist industry, is also a major source for teaching opportunities. During the peak tourist season, however, you can be mistaken as a tourist, which may become annoying.

Most good jobs require a 120-hour TEFL certificate and a degree, and offer contracts of 20-25 hours of teaching a week. Many of these jobs also come with benefits such as your flight to the country accommodation, health insurance and visa assistance. In recent years, there have been a few problems concerning visas in Indonesia. In order to leave Indonesia, you need an exit visa, which can only be obtained after written permission has been given by the work visa sponsor. In some cases, where people have worked for some private schools and the conditions have not been good they have found it difficult to gain an exit visa, leaving them stranded in the country. Before accepting a position in Indonesia, it is important to research the company that you wish to work for thoroughly through online forums.

Teaching Requirements

Degree Requirement	Typical Contract Length	Peak Hiring Seasons	Visa Info	Typical Students	Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency	Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency

Not required

12 months

All year round

Work visa in advance

Business professionals, children

6,000,000 - 9,000,000 IDR (350 - 500 GBP)

10,000,000 - 13,500,000 IDR (550 - 750 GBP)

Degree Requirement

Not required

Typical Contract Length

12 months

Peak Hiring Seasons

All year round

Visa Info

Work visa in advance

Typical Students

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency

6,000,000 - 9,000,000 IDR (350 - 500 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency

10,000,000 - 13,500,000 IDR (550 - 750 GBP)

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