Indonesia

Brimming with dramatic landscapes, vibrant traditions, tantalizing gastronomy, bustling cities, and plenty of pristine beaches, the Republic of Indonesia overflows with seemingly endless opportunities for adventure and delight. An archipelago of over 17,000 islands scattered across the equator between Southeast Asia and Australia, Indonesia is the world’s largest island country by area and home to more than 270.6 million people, 800+ languages, and countless plant and animal species. Over half of the country’s population resides in Java, the world’s most densely populated island that also contains Indonesia’s sprawling capital city and fifteen impressive active volcanoes. Indonesia’s tourism slogan, “Wonderful Indonesia,” neatly encapsulates the archipelago’s magical allure — with its wide offering of intoxicating sites, colorful scenery, and breathtaking wildlife, this Southeast Asian country is sure to leave you feeling full of wonder and awe. History Throughout the vast expanse of Indonesian history, one motif has remained constant: the importance of the sea. Thanks to the country’s prominent location between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, Indonesia has played host to a number of foreign powers and civilizations throughout the years, and as a result, modern-day Indonesian identity is shaped by a multitude of diverse cultural narratives and traditions. It was the sea that first connected Indonesia with the Indian kingdoms and China in ancient history, thus propelling the s…

Each country has its own requirements and qualifications when it comes to teaching. Some require a bachelor’s degree in any field. In others, you’ll qualify with only a high school diploma and your TEFL certificate. Some countries have strict visa requirements that may disqualify you based on your citizenship or criminal background. Let’s take a look at the qualifications needed for teaching English in Indonesia. Education You will need to possess a bachelor’s degree in any subject in order to teach in Indonesia. Citizenship While there are no specific citizenship requirements to obtain a visa to teach English in Indonesia, the vast majority of Indonesian schools and employers will prefer to hire English teachers from countries where English is the primary language — especially the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. English Fluency For the most part, you will need to be a native English speaker in order to find a job teaching English in Indonesia. A teaching license or additional qualifications will help expand your opportunities if your first language is not English. Background Check A clean criminal record check is not necessary to teach in Indonesia, though some international schools might require teaching candidates to submit a clean criminal record check during the hiring process. TEFL Certificate A TEFL certificate is highly advantageous for all positions and may be required by individual schools. Age Ageism d…

Indonesia presents a strong market for English teachers. The country is home to more than 700 regional languages, while Bahasa Indonesia serves as the national language. The English language grew increasingly popular in the 1990s when an influx of pop culture and films from the United States and the United Kingdom swept through the country. Today, many Indonesians seek out English language learning opportunities for academic purposes, to advance their career goals, and to communicate with English-speaking business partners. You’ll be able to find positions instructing learners of all ages throughout Indonesia, though more densely-populated cities like Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Bandung, and Surabaya hold the most opportunity and biggest markets for prospective ESL teachers. While there are teaching opportunities on the island of Bali, the teaching market is extremely competitive there due to the high tourist density. The majority of foreign English instructors in Indonesia teach at private language schools and/or work online or in person as private tutors. Qualified English instructors can apply to teach English with the government-run Peace Corps program, and instructors bearing a teaching license or master’s degree will also be able to secure positions in international schools. Each of these job types comes with its own specific set of advantages, so you’ll want to understand the basic differences between them before you begin applying. Private Language Schools Private language s…

Now that you’ve acquainted yourself with some of the most popular job types in Indonesia, it’s time to start the application process. There are several steps to take to start the application process for Indonesia. Heads up! The timelines for your job application process and for gathering documents for your limited stay visa will overlap. You’ll want to be working on both processes at roughly the same time. Be sure to check out our Teaching in Indonesia Timeline , as well as the Applying for the Visa section for more information and to make sure you are staying on track with your documents while applying for teaching positions. Because public schools are operated with external standards and requirements, we can advise you on your resume and cover letter, as we would with any other positions, but we cannot advise on applications, or review statements of purpose for content. Step 1: Prepare Your Initial Application Materials Resume & Cover Letter Resume & Cover Letter Your resume and cover letter are the keys to connecting with recruiters and beginning the application process. International employers look for specific elements in a resume that may differ from what you’re used to seeing domestically. To take a deeper dive into international resumes and cover letters, visit the Prepare and Apply section of the Alumni Corner! Once you’ve updated your resume and cover letter to meet the recommended international standards, you may submit your drafts to your Student Affairs Advisor …

Congratulations on your job offer(s)! If you’ve been offered a position from a school in Indonesia and you’ve followed our previous advice, you’re already off to a great start. But what’s next? Determining whether or not the offer is right for you. To help make this decision, follow the recommendations below by reviewing the basics. Whether you have one offer or several, the key elements you’ll want to take note of are: salary, working hours, vacation days, sick days, housing, airfare, insurance, and bonuses. Let’s take a closer look at what to expect with each of these elements. Salary The average starting salary for a first-year English teacher in Indonesia is 9,300,000 to 14,700,000 IDR per month. Anything significantly lower or higher should make you ask a few questions. If the reason for the pay difference is obvious, like you’ll be in a rural location with a low cost of living or working longer than average hours, you may find that you’re okay with it. But don’t accept a contract that is paying you less for doing the same amount of work the average English teacher does, or one that doesn’t fit into your work-life-travel balance. Working Hours Teaching English in Indonesia can be a part-time or full-time gig. However, there’s more than just the total number of working hours per week (typically 25 to 40 hours) to consider. Will you have to work in the morning for a few hours and then come back for more in the evening? Does your school require that you show up an hour befo…

The word “visa” tends to provoke daunting images of endless red tape and paperwork but we’re here to ease your anxiety and hopefully have you zipping through this process like a pro. While the visa process in Indonesia can be involved at times, the good news is that the procedures are handled in large part by your employer. Just take it from ITA graduate Courtney D. , who taught in Bandung and says, “Fortunately, I wasn’t much involved in the visa process since the company took care of the arrangements. All that was expected of me, once documentation and flight info was provided, was to reach a governmental office in Singapore and hand over the [visa] documents with payment. Having a work visa provided was one selling point when job searching.” Below, we’ll outline the most common visa routes for foreign English teachers in Indonesia, and then dive into a deeper look at the required documents for a work permit there. As is always the case with any of the visa advice we provide, please be sure to cross-check this information with your local Indonesian embassy or consulate to ensure you are getting the most up-to-date, accurate, and personalized instruction there is! Visa Types Temporary Stay Visa (VITAS) What is it? A VITAS, which stands for Visa Izin Tinggal Terbatas, is a single-entry visa issued to foreigners traveling to Indonesia for purposes related to work, investment, research, family unification, performance, sport, social activities, and other such motives. Upon ente…

In the days, weeks, and months leading up to your move abroad, it’s more important than ever to stay organized and ask yourself: What are the logistics I have to consider and the loose ends I have to tie up in order to thrive in my new home? Do I have to worry about taxes? What about health insurance? And what the heck do I do about a cell phone? Fear not, TEFL teacher. In this section, you’ll find the tips, resources, and wisdom to tackle these questions and more! Review the Basics Health Insurance Although in a perfect world an apple a day would keep the doctor away, in reality, even teachers get sick. Cue health insurance. Regardless of the country you end up in, you should always inquire about health insurance before accepting a position. If health insurance is indeed provided by your employer, it’s imperative that the relevant details are outlined clearly in any contract you sign. You’ll likely receive health insurance in Indonesia if you are formally employed by an Indonesian company and working full time. In some cases, you may be required to pay into your health insurance as part of a 50-50 contribution plan with your employer. The costs will typically be deducted from your paycheck each month. Check out the Accepting the Right Offer section to learn more! If health insurance is not included in your contract or if you want to supplement your school’s health insurance plan with a more comprehensive private insurance option, you will need to do your own research in orde…

You have finally made it to the end of the Indonesia section, no small feat! Here is all of that wonderful information from the previous section laid out step-by-step and month-by-month before your intended departure date for Indonesia. This timeline is not only for the planners and checklist lovers (although you will love this too!). It is strongly encouraged for anyone planning a move to Indonesia to help keep you on track and organized as you make your way through the process. Positions in Indonesia can be found year-round, except for during Islamic holidays when many schools and businesses tend to close. Take your desired start date and subtract from there. While it may be possible to move some parts of the process along quicker, follow these timelines as closely as possible. Finding a Job in Advance 4-5 months before departure: Begin your research and complete job search documents ___ List out your preferences and priorities ___ Chat with ITA alumni and read about alumni experiences ___ Watch a Student Affairs webinar ___ Reach out to your Student Affairs Advisor ___ Read about Indonesian culture ___ Ensure your passport is valid for the required amount of time depending on your planned length of stay in Indonesia or order a new passport ___ Finalize your international resume and cover letter ___ Obtain copies of your degree(s) and TEFL certificate 2-3 months before departure: Find a job and begin temporary stay visa (VITAS) process ___ Use the Indonesia School Finder , …

There is so much to see in Bali. The island itself has numerous beaches, diving/snorkeling opportunities, rice fields, and waterfalls. Indonesia is comprised of thousands of islands, which are incredible to explore as well. With a short plane ride or a fast boat, you can venture out to see many of the beautiful islands. For vacation time, teachers get all of March and April off of work. We get one week at the end of October for semester break and there are numerous four day weekends that one can travel to nearby cities. Nikki N. Bali, Indonesia I taught in Bandung, Indonesia because the company I chose to work for had a newly opened center and it was a city not many foreigners go. Tourist famous places like Bali enticed me, but I knew that going to a less traveled place would provide a more enriching experience. It taught me to open up and put trust in the kindness of others. In other words, I took the path less traveled and I think it had a bigger impact. Courtney D. Bandung, Indonesia Indonesia has something to offer everyone. The Indonesians are some of the most friendly people I have ever come across..The food is amazing, if you get to Indonesia try rendang, it is boiled beef in some kind of sauce that will blow your mind. Make sure to ask for a perkedel with it. Because there are over 17,000 Islands in Indonesia your travel options are never limited. Take a boat over to the thousand islands for the day, or fly to Bali for the weekend! Jessica L. Jakarta, Indonesia