Expat teacher to work in Indonesia with a spouse sponsored kitap

[wnaofindonesia]

Hello saudara-saudara. I found this forum by chance. All is good here. Expats friendly and helpful. I have a question keeping my mind busy for the last few days. I have a spouse sponsored KITAP here in Indonesia. I am a certified English teacher, a graduate of English language and literature BA, and been teaching for 22 years. I am not a native speaker of English but can speak nearly with little or no accent and fluently. Can anyone tell me how the law works in Indonesia about recruiting expats as English teachers? I also prepare professional lesson materials for English classes. Can a company recruit me for that instead of a position of an English teacher ? Or should you have any other suggestions, please share with me. As I've run out of my savings and need to work to support my family asap, I desperately need your advice.

Thank you in advance friends.

 

[Helpful Herbert]

I think there are 2 questions here. 1) can you work (getting a work permit) while being on a spouse kitap. The answer is yes. 2) can you, as a non-native English speaker work as an English teacher, or something else within education. As an English teacher probably not, I think they only give work permits if you are a passport-holder of the "big 5" English countries. Although I don't see why you couldn't be employed in an administrative role in a school, there are many Filipinos in that position.

 

[fastpitch17]

I think there are 2 questions here. 1) can you work (getting a work permit) while being on a spouse kitap. The answer is yes. 2) can you, as a non-native English speaker work as an English teacher, or something else within education. As an English teacher probably not, I think they only give work permits if you are a passport-holder of the "big 5" English countries. Although I don't see why you couldn't be employed in an administrative role in a school, there are many Filipinos in that position.

There are quite a few Filipino English Teachers in private and national plus schools.

 

[Helpful Herbert]

There are quite a few Filipino English Teachers in private and national plus schools.

Actually yes that's true, coming to think of it. Indians as well.

 

[ilovered]

As an official English teacher no. Because the govt thinks only those comes from the 5 that are considered native speakers.
However, there are positions as traveling teachers or getting yourself hired through agencies instead of directly from the school. So your position is as a part time or freelance teacher. There is a catch there, though. Like, you must not work there M-F, Instead only 2 or 3 days a week. Yeah, the pay is not as good as if you're hired directly from the school , but at least there is something.

My husband used to work as an online English course teacher, too. But I heard they let go hundreds of people after my hubby finished his contract there. Oh well.

Anyway, try it.

 

[wnaofindonesia]

Isn't that a waste of good potential of many qualified teachers? In my country I used to work as an ESL lecturer/prof. for 17 years and in a state university. And my take on that is that it's nothing but wasting the potential of qualified teachers forcing them to sell bakso instead of educating the new generation as the law only permits them to work in "informal sector" so as "to be able to care adequately for their families"... I am still young, I have the potential and energy but the law is sanctioning me to sell bakso on the street instead of teaching. I never underestimate selling bakso. I respect street vending at utmost but the thing is all of one's education seem to mean nothing here just because you were not born in one of those listed countries. Knowing that even Britain itself hires and allows a work permit for expats as non native English speakers, on British soils in a British company... Heartbreaking... I've lost my faith in Indonesia.

 

[ilovered]

Isn't that a waste of good potential of many qualified teachers? In my country I used to work as an ESL lecturer/prof. for 17 years and in a state university. And my take on that is that it's nothing but wasting the potential of qualified teachers forcing them to sell bakso instead of educating the new generation as the law only permits them to work in "informal sector" so as "to be able to care adequately for their families"... I am still young, I have the potential and energy but the law is sanctioning me to sell bakso on the street instead of teaching. I never underestimate selling bakso. I respect street vending at utmost but the thing is all of one's education seem to mean nothing here just because you were not born in one of those listed countries. Knowing that even Britain itself hires and allows a work permit for expats as non native English speakers, on British soils in a British company... Heartbreaking... I've lost my faith in Indonesia.

I'm sorry that you feel this way.

However, instead of being a teacher, if you are that qualified, why don't you try applying as a lecturer. I graduated from a local university majoring English teaching. Some of my classmates are now lecturers in different universities and teachers across the country.
Unfortunately, i dont know you well enough to introduce you to any of them. If you have papers published in your name, that will help your credentials tremendously.

Another option: China. Have you looked into that option? We did. Unfortunately, my husband never finished his study and eventhough he is a very good teacher but the papers are required for him to get work permit in China.

 

[pantaiema]

There is a job ad here, you might want to contact them.

SMA IGCSE/a level teacher - SMP Native conversation

Job Title: SMA IGCSE/a level teacher - SMP Native conversation (Cambridge curriculum) Job Location: Narada School. Perum Kosambi Baru, Blok A Ext. 1 Cengkareng Jakarta Barat - 11750 Job Description/Responsibilities: Teaching as required and performing all the usual duties including lesson...

www.expatindo.org

Another possibility is trying online teaching using various teaching platforms. It will take time to get customers, but that is one possibility.

As another person has mentioned, instead of working as an English teacher, have you tried applying as a lecturer/professor in colleges or universities, especially private universities with business schools and/or MBA programs? In Indonesia they call it S2 in MM, Magister Manajemen. It could also be pre-university lecturer. Teaching at an MBA program typically offers better pay as the tuition fee for MBA/MM programs is significantly higher than other postgraduate programs.

As a lecturer there will be fewer restrictions compared to an english teacher. You are employed as a lecturer, not as an english teacher, even if you are teaching Business English or becoming a tutor in English writing skills, helping students formulate essays, reports, etc.

Although I do not personally know or have any connection with them, I have read a few stories of foreign lecturers / professors teaching different subjects at different universities on a contract basis. They typical prefer foreign lecturers / professors with good qualifications as it will improve their international profiles.

I am not quite sure whether you have listed all of qualifications. To become a lecturer in Indonesia, the minimum level of academic qualification is a Master's degree.

If you want to search it use the search words, Magister Manajemen, MM, MBA, Business School, etc

These are just a few examples:
IPMI International Business School

IPMI

ipmi.ac.id

International Business School Surabaya

Indonesian European University

ieu.ac.id

BINUS Business School (BBS)

BINUS Business School – BINUS UNIVERSITY

 

[Samoerai]

As another person have said. Instead of working as an English teacher, have you tried applying as a lecturer / professor in colleges, universities, especially privates universities which have business schools and/or MBA program. In Indonesia they call it S2 in MM, Magister Manajemen. It could also be pre-university lecturer. Teaching at an MBA program you will typical have a better pay as typically the tuition fee for MBA / MM program is significantly higher than other post graduate programs.

As a lecturer there will be less restriction compared to an english teacher. You are employed as a lecturer, not as an english teacher even in fact you are just teaching Business English, become a tutor in english writing skills, helping students in formulating essays, reports, etc

Although I do not personally know or have any connection with them, but I have read a few stories foreign lecturers / professors are teaching different subjects at different universities on contract basis. They typical like foreign lecturers / professors with good qualifications as it will improve their profiles.

I am not quite sure whether you have listed all of qualifications. To become a lecturer in Indonesia the minimum level of academic qualification is a Master's degree.

If you want to search it use the search words, Magister Manajemen, MM, MBA, Business School, etc

These are just a few examples:

IPMI International Business School

IPMI

ipmi.ac.id

International Business School Surabaya

Indonesian European University

ieu.ac.id

BINUS Business School (BBS)

BINUS Business School – BINUS UNIVERSITY

I checked one of your links.
Here is a job opportunity:

Life at BINUS – Academic

Associate Lecturer Specialist – S3 Job Requirements: Min. Doctoral Degrre in the relevant field of knowledge Preferably have JJA minimum Lektor or teaching experience/research experience minimum 3 years Have passion in education Good communication and team work Job Descriptions: Produce high...

www.binus.edu

 

[pantaiema]

I checked one of your links.
Here is a job opportunity:

Life at BINUS – Academic

Associate Lecturer Specialist – S3 Job Requirements: Min. Doctoral Degrre in the relevant field of knowledge Preferably have JJA minimum Lektor or teaching experience/research experience minimum 3 years Have passion in education Good communication and team work Job Descriptions: Produce high...

www.binus.edu

BINUS is a more exclusive and quite high-ranked among private universities in Indonesia. No wonder they set up PhD (S3) as a minimum level of qualification.

In other universities the requirement might be lower. Also keep in mind that the advertisement is also intended for local people.

AFAIK They will typically prefer a foreign lecturer / professor as this will improve their international profiles, as long as they think they could obtain a work permit for you. So other universities might accept a Master's Degree with an international teaching / research experience.

 

[serious_fun]

I also prepare professional lesson materials for English classes.

One would hope so.

 

[wnaofindonesia]

It's been quite a while since I last logged in to the forum for many reasons. Thank you all for all the invaluable help and advice.

Isn't it so unfortunate and also unfair? You do have your university degree like everybody else for 4 years, plus you have your experience for 20 years professionally. Another expat with a BA or BS can work with KITAP legally on a vacant position on condition that they meet the necessary requirements but you cannot find any job and all your education goes down the drain and all you can do is sell bakso to provide for your family. Technically, due to this unreasonable native speaker regulation, on paper, I am as good as someone who has no educational and professional background.

Any ideas about what a non-native professional English teacher (expat on spouse kitap) can do? Maybe I should start another post on "expatindo" to find more people like me - non-native English teacher expats on kitas/kitap. Any ideas other than university job vacancies will be greatly appreciated.

 

[wnaofindonesia]

As an official English teacher no. Because the govt thinks only those comes from the 5 that are considered native speakers.
However, there are positions as traveling teachers or getting yourself hired through agencies instead of directly from the school. So your position is as a part time or freelance teacher. There is a catch there, though. Like, you must not work there M-F, Instead only 2 or 3 days a week. Yeah, the pay is not as good as if you're hired directly from the school , but at least there is something.

My husband used to work as an online English course teacher, too. But I heard they let go hundreds of people after my hubby finished his contract there. Oh well.

Anyway, try it.

Could you kindly elaborate it ilovered ? I appreciate your support. You can DM me fpr details if you wish to share.

 

[Samoerai]

Job opportunity for you non-native foreign English teacher wanted.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02AnEmFkCicSdbyz5jcyRZDc7MwDngxmTfEdNYt3kuGLGaTLU3iuYDtjkG9kQS6EDXl&id=100063776836279&mibextid=2JQ9oc

 

[ilovered]

Could you kindly elaborate it ilovered ? I appreciate your support. You can DM me fpr details if you wish to share.

you can only get a work permit stating that you are an english teacher if you're from the 5 (UK. USA, Canada, Australia, and 1 more that I forgot)
However, if you are already on spouse-sponsored KITAS or KITAP, there are agents and companies out there who search for foreign teachers to teach English for schools that does not use international curriculum like IB or CAmbridge or Oxford that are willing to pay for foreign teachers but not be bothered to get the permit and visa done.
The trick is however, getting the good agent. We had experienced several of them and each had their good and bad points. We just bear it patiently until the contract is done and if we are happy with the agent, we sign for another year. If not, then at least, we honoured the contract.

 

[MamangDudul]

It's been quite a while since I last logged in to the forum for many reasons. Thank you all for all the invaluable help and advice.

Isn't it so unfortunate and also unfair? You do have your university degree like everybody else for 4 years, plus you have your experience for 20 years professionally. Another expat with a BA or BS can work with KITAP legally on a vacant position on condition that they meet the necessary requirements but you cannot find any job and all your education goes down the drain and all you can do is sell bakso to provide for your family. Technically, due to this unreasonable native speaker regulation, on paper, I am as good as someone who has no educational and professional background.

Any ideas about what a non-native professional English teacher (expat on spouse kitap) can do? Maybe I should start another post on "expatindo" to find more people like me - non-native English teacher expats on kitas/kitap. Any ideas other than university job vacancies will be greatly appreciated.

Sorry that I can't help you with a job or anything like that. I hope you will find something that fits your skills.

Overall in a lot of countries we have laws and situations that don't make much sense. Indonesia has always been rather difficult for foreigners when it comes to getting a job. As long as you don't have any skills or qualifications that no Indonesian citizen has, it is pretty difficult to get a job. It's like with your selling Bakso example. Even with that, the best you could reach is probably helping your wife cooking Bakso, and not being the boss, when we look solely at the laws. Anyway I don't wanna lean too far out of the window and a lot of people here, who know it better than me, already suggested some things that might fit for you.
As you see, even when you theoretically and practically meet the qualifications, there might still be some stones in your way. Like coming from the "wrong" country.

Again, I hope you'll find something and it seems like your motives go beyond earning money, which I like. The job situation for foreigners here is often quite difficult, if you wanna stay within legal ways (which is highly recommend of course), but not hopeless. I think for a person with your qualifications there might be some options.

Edit:

That being said I think Indonesia should seek and accept any highly qualified help they can get in the education sector. We always hear about all the bad examples and things that go wrong. Let me say, there are a lot of great and engaged, enthusiastic Indonesian teachers. BUT they often still don't have the level of many professional teachers from the west. At least not yet.
And Iam sure they could easily test if the qualifications of a person like you are on the same level as of a native speaker. Anyway..sorry for all the talk, it's not much use anyway

 

[Helpful Herbert]

you can only get a work permit stating that you are an english teacher if you're from the 5 (UK. USA, Canada, Australia, and 1 more that I forgot)
However, if you are already on spouse-sponsored KITAS or KITAP, there are agents and companies out there who search for foreign teachers to teach English for schools that does not use international curriculum like IB or CAmbridge or Oxford that are willing to pay for foreign teachers but not be bothered to get the permit and visa done.
The trick is however, getting the good agent. We had experienced several of them and each had their good and bad points. We just bear it patiently until the contract is done and if we are happy with the agent, we sign for another year. If not, then at least, we honoured the contract.

I think the fifth might be Ireland. I was wondering though, how come some of the English teachers in my kids' school are Filipinos? I mean they must have visas, but maybe they are put down for a different subject?

 

[pantaiema]

It seems there is quite a bit of disagreement about who foreigners are allowed to teach English in Indonesia.

Many TEFL sites (not just a few) mention six countries: the United Kingdom, the United States, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.

For instance, consider the following website:

Requirements for Teaching English in Indonesia

Want to teach English in Indonesia, but not sure if you meet the requirements for the legal work visa? This post covers everything you need to know & more

www.english1.com

The sources like this might be outdated or, worse, inaccurate. Does anyone know where we can find the most reliable source directly linked to regulations and laws from the Indonesian government about teaching English at school, TEFL in Indonesia ?

 

[Helpful Herbert]

Basing it on passports makes no sense. Imagine if a dual UK/Indo citizen chooses the UK passport at 21, then he can teach English. If he chooses Indonesian then he can't

 

[pantaiema]

Basing it on passports makes no sense. Imagine if a dual UK/Indo citizen chooses the UK passport at 21, then he can teach English. If he chooses Indonesian then he can't

I agree; it does not make sense. That is inaccuracy in wordings by naming the passports. I believe that most of the other sites mention the requirement to be a native speaker of English and then list the countries. If my memory serves I have seen many of other sites include South Africa.