This came as a real shock to me, but today, a guy who I know, who I'm beginning to become friends with, has guaranteed he can get me a job teaching English in Indonesia. He lived there for five years,teaching English at a university himself, and said if I really want it, he could get me something very easily. I told him I would have a think about it and let him know later. The thing is, he speaks fluent Indonesian, whereas I can only speak English. I know there are some guys on TF who have experience of teaching English in Asia, so I'm just wondering if there is any advice you could offer me if I do decide to accept the offer. I am a shy person, and I don't have a university education at the moment. How do I go about teaching my language, when I can't speak theirs? I'm not totally sure if I will go for it or not, but I can't deny the offer is tempting, if it really materialises. I'm not interested in this for the long term, but it would be an experience in a part of the world I want to be in.

There's a good site that deals with this called ajarn.com.

Your questions are valid..........however anyone that can simple speak the English as our 1st language,I do wonder about Asian countries hiring anyone as an English teacher, and what they consider their standards for such a job? I do have the greatest respect for any teacher anywhere, and I can be sure they're all underpaid for their time and dedication for others...........but I do think certain standards need to be in place for the job, whether or no they exist or not? For just a simple person, to go for an experience, adventure, and to go to a foreign place to do this on a whim.....I wonder?

Afook - I understand what you mean, and to be honest, I agree with you. I have no experience whatsoever, and as I said, although my education is alright, I didn't go to university, although I do plan to in the future. I have no idea if I would perform well, and again, I can't speak Indonesian. I wouldn't be teaching at a university level or anything, but more at a high school level. It's not something I want to do forever, but the offer is just so tempting, and I would take it seriously while doing it.

I live in Indonesia and yes we do have many expat English teachers here. Most of them teach in international high school, Local High school or English Course. About Indonesian language actually it's not that difficult if you really want to try and work hard on it, i think if you live here for about 6 months - 1 year you will understand the language but you have to practice it everyday *grin*

Alex - I don't know about the qualifications required in Indonesia, but in general for someone to teach in a uni or government school, they need to have a uni degree. Also many countries are getting tough on people who are not qualified and are trying to weed them out by initiating visa requirements that will prevent them for staying a long period of time. Thailand is one of them - believe me I know, as I work in the government sector as well as have a small sideline regarding teacher placement.

Other countries besides Thailand where you generally need a degree include Vietnam, Japan, Korea (Vacanti373 - please confirm), Malaysia, and Singapore. However in China, Cambodia, and Lao PDR, you might be able to find work degreeless, but don't expect to make a lot of $$. It would be more of a case of having a cultural experience. Out of the 3, China because of its size would have more job opportunities.

Also Wildman's comments about his experience are very valid and recommendable (I agree), and pink_lemonade's comments about Indonesian lingo is true. It's a very easy language to learn and some people say possibly one of the easiest in the world

Hope this helps.

Anything else just ask.

English teaching is one of those professions that doesn't get a lot of credo, mostly because schools don't set standards. If you teach, I'm sure your students will love you, and the ones who are self-motivated will learn regardless of what you do. But in terms of class management, materials development, curriculum design and just knowing the intricacies of English, a university degree won't help you unless it's in education with a specialty in TESOL.

Having said that, until standards change, why not take the chance. If you fall on your face at first, well, join the ranks of everybody else, present company included, who went through that when they first worked in Asia. As long as you're willing to then get back up and learn what you need, it will be a fantastic experience, guaranteed.

As for knowing the language, the research on this matter is clear: Teachers who are fluent in their students' L1 are more successful. But that doesn't mean you CAN'T be successful without it. You just have to work harder, that's all. Good luck, man!

Well a university degree won't help you much as the others have said unless its in English or education. But there is so much more to teaching english than just being a native speaker. If your really interested to do it then I suggest taking some TEFL course first to learn a bit and get a little experience teaching first.

i think u better try for once...u don't have to speak their language to be able to teach English in that country.. i am sure u will learn some of it day by day.. Good Luck Alex!

At the very least get a TEFL Certificate somewhere and see what you think..........

Most countries in Asia want the minimum Of a BA Degree.

Many now want a Bach of Ed or Masters of Ed.

Your friend said he can get you a job teaching, but you didn't mention if it was at a University.

I doublt it.

As inamorato said, you can tough your way through it, but it is hard if you haven't received any ESL training or watched a variety of teachers in the classroom to see the spectrum of techniques.

I was really terrible the first year, but got better as I moved from school to school, and got more training from each in their methods.

I did more than 6 years in Korea, and one year at an international school in BKK.

I now am in Jakarta, Indonesia, and it is terrible here.

Very dirty, very polluted, and a 24 hour traffic jam.

(And I live in the oldest, richest area of Jakarta.

Luckily I am another rich private school, and get double the salary of a regular foreign teacher, but it JUST ISN'T WORTH IT.

I went to a travel agent today, preparing to come back to BKK.

My advice to you is work in one of the top 3 paying countries for ESL on the planet.

Korea, Taiwan, or Japan.

Very hard to save big $$$ in Japan.

I hear Taiwan is good.

And Korea is VERY good financially, when you make contacts, and teach corporations on the side of your regular job.

the only thing that you need a degree for most likely will be the visa requirements. The schools that I have taught at in Thailand, speaking Thai was completely unnecessary, the staff wants you to speak English anyway. If it is a big school, you will likely have a native assistant.

Not wanting to do it for the long term is normal, very few people teach for years and years and years in Asia. I did a TEFL course (an online one) which isn't really regarded as anything important from a hiring perspective, but it did help me a great deal in learning teaching techniques for classes filled with kids whose language you don't speak.

It is worth a look. check the visa requirements with your friend first.

-RILINJuH!

In summation, and my opinion, get some ESL experience, or ask if the school gives you training.

Stay out of Jakarta.

hypermanic has been a long time /friend/business partner/associate of mine in recruiting.

I have one company handling Korea.

He has one company handling Bangkok.

His advice on teaching is worth listening to, and so is anamorato's.(and the other also.)

Gve us more details, school name, contract hours, rate of pay, what age group, ....better yet, get a copy of the contract and mail it to me, and I will look it over for you.

Best of luck.

Some interresting theories to read below and I wouldn't worry too much about not speaking their language as the objective is more to get them to speak the language so much as to learn the mechanics of English I presume, but being shy might be quite a challenge some days. Start seaching for as many classroom language games you can find and then prepare to learn to swim in the deep end.

Good luck, you'll either love it or hate it but what the hell at your age you'll probably enjoy the challenge.

http://www.minedu.govt.nz/index.cfm?layout=document&documentid=9712&indexid=5875&indexparentid=5871&goto=00-05

Alex, I forgot to mention that in Thailand now because of the fake degree market from the University of Khao San Road, the Min. of Ed is requesting for a letter of verification from the uni you graduate from stating that you actually studied there. Also the Immigration Bureau want a police clearance from your home country showing that you haven't been a bad boy/girl.

The U. of KSR pumps out degrees and transcripts for approx. THB 2,500. They look good as I've seen a couple, BUT the MoE know what to look for and can spot a fake.

As for other countries, weeeellllllll . . . . you take the risk but things are clamping down in Asia. I recall a story that someone (I think Vacanti373) told me where about 3 years ago in Korea the Immigration went into schools, asked to see documents, and those who didn't have the right ones or fakes were taken back to their apartments to collect their belongings, and shipped off to the airport back to their home countries where the authorities were waiting at the other end to arrest them for falsifying documents. If I recall about 3,000 bods were deported.

Also as Vacanti373 said, you can send him or myself or both of us a copy of the contract if you can get one.

As for a TEFL course, this can be helpful but for most countries you still need a degree unless you go to one of the 3 countries I mentioned in my previous entry to this journal.

Anything else you want to please ask.

Don't bother its crap........ best bit of advise you will ever get........ unless your a Pedo that is!

ghee:

There are lots of jobs in Thailand you can get without a degree,(ilegal of course) but they only pay from 20-35,000 baht a month.

AlexK1986:

By the way, you are only 20, so that likely means no BA degree.

I just read somewhere that Indonesia MIGHT accept a TEFL..but I cannot confirm that.

But the only schools that will hire you are the bad ones. Overworked and underpaid.

You will be lucky if you earn $700 per month. (Is that around 350 brit pounds?)

I say go for it can get tefl certification to be ready for the class and have a resource for lesson plans and the such there is a school in thailand with 2 branchs check out www.teflcorp.com

Alex,

If this is your passion and you think that you can give something to others, go for it.........if you don't need any degree and don't need much money.go to Thailand...you can always live with Ghee, if things don't work out...he just bought a new condo!

I dont think it should be a problem. Its about how you can communicate to your students through body languages and stuffs. I know some guys who have been teaching English and living in Thailand for few years and they still cant speak our language!

Just get your sexy ass here alright?