Overview
Indonesia is actually a group of more than 17,000 islands. It is culturally diverse and has a fantastic ecological variety. It is an excellent place to live and work, home to the Komodo dragons; the crystal clear waters off Lombok island offer some fine surfing conditions. You can also explore the ninth-century Buddhist temple in Borobudur, which is architecturally significant. It is little wonder Indonesia attracts a large number of people, and currently, the population stands at around 238 million. Both locals and visitors alike are warm and friendly and welcome new people with open arms. Those looking to teach English in Indonesia will have a fantastic experience, and the salary, which of course does depend on the location of the job, your qualifications, and the type of position, is likely to be in the range of €590-€1000/$600-$1,100 giving you plenty to live and explore the area with.
You will find that the young people in Indonesia are engaged and eager to learn better English skills. They love hearing tales from other countries about life and pop culture. Some of the larger cities are busy, Jakarta has a lot of traffic, and it’s always on the go, but if you want somewhere slightly quieter, Bali makes an incredible location, especially for those who love seafood. Sumatra is famous for its orangutang population, but no matter where you choose to base yourself, there are plenty of opportunities for English teachers in Indonesia.
In this guide, you will find everything you need to know about applying to be an English teacher in Indonesia. We look at the types of jobs on offer, how much you are likely to get paid, the qualifications you need and where to find and apply for jobs. We also look at the local culture and living as a local in the area, including the cost of living.
Types of teaching jobs
This means that the most likely opportunities for work as an English teacher in Indonesia will be found in private schools. The good news is private schools offer good remuneration packages for their teachers, and English is taught from kindergarten right up to year 12. Therefore, a high proportion of the jobs will be found in the preschool and kindergarten arena. If you enjoy working with younger children, this could be an ideal place for you to seek work as an English teacher in Indonesia.
The other alternative for finding English teaching options in Indonesia is to look at language schools and extracurricular programs. Language schools are usually found in the larger cities, and here you will find a wide range of students, even adults looking to improve their English skills. Some of them operate on a typical school day, whereas others cater to evening and weekend learners giving you the option to create an English teaching schedule for yourself that works best.
Living costs
Compared to life in the US or UK, the cost of living as an English teacher in Indonesia is quite cheap. Of course, your spending habits determine how much money you have left, but some average costs are shown below.
In order to provide the most accurate cost of living figures, we use numbeo.com, the world’s largest cost of living database, updated regularly.
Key facts
Jakarta, Bali, Bandung and Surabaya
is between €520-€950 a month.
TEFL qualification requirements: At least a 120-hour TEFL qualification
Most jobs require a Bachelor’s Degree
The school year starts in mid-July and ends in mid-June. Students get holidays in December and for the Muslim Eid Holiday, which changes yearly. Most programs hire teachers year-round.
International Schools, Private Schools, Language Centres, Private Tutors, Volunteering
Maximum 65
is required for the higher-paid roles.
Key Points
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English teachers in Indonesia tend to earn around €590-€1000 per month.
Compared to life in the US or UK, the cost of living as an English teacher in Indonesia is relatively cheap.
No, you will not be able to find work as an English teacher in Indonesia without a degree, you will also need to have your TEFL certification, and 120 hours is recommended.