Why is there a demand for English teachers? Indonesia is a fascinating country and most visitors, whether short-term or long, agree that the Indonesian people are fantastic. Travel is cheap and unrestricted, and excursions are very rewarding in terms of scenery and culture. Internal flights are also within the range of most teachers. The pleasant city of Bandung might prove an attractive alternative to Jakarta and offers a good lifestyle to teachers, with a good mixture of rural and city life.

How do I go about getting a job? The best jobs tend to crop up in the oil company cities as that industry is still stable. The so-called ‘native speaker schools’ with multiple branches in Jakarta and the other cities continue to deliver English courses to the millions of Indonesians who still want to learn the language. There are several large organisations that recruit for various schools in Indonesia. You could also try contacting the British Council Offices in Jakarta and Surabaya. EF English First is the largest chain in Indonesia, with around 35 different institutes dotted across the archipelago. A number of Global English graduates have gone to work for this organisation in Indonesia.

Do I need to learn/speak the language? It is not essential to speak the language.

Where do EFL teachers live? The cost of living is low and accommodation is relatively cheap (although you may be required to leave a hefty deposit), so it is not surprising that most teachers appear to live very well by local standards, eating out most nights as well as being able to save some money. Some offer free accommodation alongside the salary, which permits a comfortable lifestyle.

What is the food like? Most meals are built around a cone-shaped pile of the long-grain, highly polished rice that Indonesians prefer. A meal may include a soup, salad, and another main dish. Whatever the meal, it is accompanied by at least one, and often several sambals, spice relishes that are mixed with the food. A light meal might consist of rice, some dried fish and a chile sambal.

What will I do in the evenings, on days off or on my holidays? Paddle in a dugout canoe through Ujong Kulon National Park at the extreme South Western tip of Java in search of the elusive Java rhino. Indonesia's coastline is reputed to contain 15% of the world's coral reefs. Bunaken National Park and Lembeh Strait, both in North Sulawesi, are magnificent. Jungle trek through the Indonesian rainforest - Irian Jaya, Kalimantan and Sumatra offer the most remote and untouched terrain. Take a boat to Komodo and Rinca islands in search of the world's largest lizard, the Komodo Dragon. Take a tour up the great Mahakam River in Kalimantan.

How much does it cost to travel from the UK? Flights start at around £400.

When is the best time to travel for English teaching jobs? The next best time to look for work in private schools is October. Contracts tend to start in July or October.

Paid Teaching Placements:

See our Indonesia paid teaching placement here>