Types of English Teaching Jobs in Indonesia
From EF Education First in Jakarta to small language schools in Ubud, international schools in South Jakarta to NGO community programmes in Flores — Indonesia’s teaching market is more varied than almost any country in this guide. Here’s how each sector works.
Language schools & ELT centres
Private language schools and English Language Teaching centres are the most numerous English teaching employer in Indonesia and the most accessible entry point for new foreign teachers. EF Education First — the world’s largest private language education company, with a major Indonesian operation — is the single biggest employer of foreign English teachers in the country. EF Indonesia offers comprehensive teacher packages including KITAS sponsorship, housing or housing allowance, health insurance, airfare reimbursement, Bahasa Indonesia lessons, and — notably — sometimes sponsored TEFL certification for teachers who don’t already have it.
Other major chains: The British Institute (TBI — well-established; good reputation; multiple locations across Java and Bali), Wall Street English Indonesia, ILP (International Language Programs), and ELS Language Centre. Hundreds of independent single-location language schools operate throughout every Indonesian city.
Schedule and workload
Language centres typically operate afternoon and evening schedules — classes run 2pm–9pm most days, with some morning adult and corporate classes. Weekend teaching (Saturday at minimum) is standard. Typical teaching load: 20–25 hours per week. This leaves weekday mornings free for exploration and travel. Not for teachers who need standard Monday–Friday daytime schedules.
EF's teacher package
EF Education First Indonesia is widely recommended for first-time teachers in Indonesia because of the institutional support structure: a community of international teachers, structured professional development, HR support for the KITAS process, and in some cases TEFL sponsorship. Salary IDR 12–15M/month plus housing allowance. Positions primarily in Jakarta. Apply through ESLstarter or directly through EF’s website.
International schools
Indonesia’s international school sector is concentrated in Jakarta (the largest market) and Bali, with growing presence in Surabaya, Bandung, and Yogyakarta. Major institutions: Jakarta International School (JIS — one of Southeast Asia’s most prestigious; American curriculum; highly selective; excellent compensation), British International School Jakarta (BISJ), Bali International School (BIS — established 1985; oldest international school in Bali), Global Jaya International School, and many more.
International school salaries of IDR 32–40M/month ($2,000–$2,500) are Indonesia’s highest for English teachers. The total package typically includes: housing or substantial housing allowance; return international flights; comprehensive health insurance; professional development funding; tuition benefits for teacher dependants. Requirements: formal teaching licence (PGCE, QTS, or national certification), subject/education degree, and 2–5+ years’ classroom experience. Applications through TES, Search Associates, and ISS 12–18 months ahead.
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Kindergartens & preschools
Teaching English to children aged 18 months–6 years is one of the most common foreign teacher positions in Indonesia, particularly in Jakarta and Bali. Wealthy Indonesian families invest heavily in English immersion for young children — the belief that early English exposure creates lifelong language advantage is deeply held in Indonesia’s professional class. These schools are expensive to attend and very competitive for places.
For foreign teachers: kindergarten positions typically include an Indonesian teaching assistant, small class sizes (8–20 children), structured curriculum materials, and a warm, playful teaching environment. The energy required is high — young learners demand more physical presence, creativity, and classroom management flexibility than adult learners. Teachers who enjoy working with young children and can bring enthusiasm, songs, games, and movement into their teaching consistently find these among Indonesia’s most rewarding positions. Salary IDR 10–20M; top preschools in Jakarta’s south require teaching licence and pay at the higher end.
Corporate English training
Indonesia’s economic growth — banking, natural resources (mining, oil and gas), manufacturing, technology, logistics — creates a robust corporate English market concentrated in Jakarta and Surabaya. Companies invest in Business English training for employees at all levels: from entry-level staff needing functional English for international correspondence to senior executives preparing for boardroom presentations with global partners.
Corporate English positions are accessed through language centre corporate divisions (EF Corporate Solutions, TBI Corporate, and others) or through specialist corporate training firms like CELS Indonesia. Rates of IDR 300,000–500,000+/hour ($19–$31+) are significantly higher than classroom teaching rates. Requirements: strong communication skills, business context awareness, TEFL, and often actual business experience or sector knowledge. Best for teachers who have professional backgrounds in finance, engineering, logistics, or management.
NGOs & community English programmes
Indonesia’s NGO and community education sector offers some of this build’s most meaningful teaching experiences — and some of its most financially modest. Numerous Indonesian and international NGOs operate English education programmes in underserved communities: rural Java, Lombok, Flores, Sulawesi, Kalimantan, and Papua. These positions typically offer IDR 8–12.8M/month ($500–$800) but may include housing, meals, and deep community integration that salaried positions cannot provide.
Teachers who choose NGO positions in Indonesia consistently describe them as transformative in ways that city school positions are not: the relationships with community members, the visibility of your impact, the access to Indonesia beyond the tourist and expat layers, and the personal growth of navigating genuinely unfamiliar cultural territory without a large expat support network. Not suitable for teachers prioritising financial outcomes — very suitable for teachers prioritising depth of experience.
All Indonesia job types compared
| Position | IDR/month | USD | Schedule | Licence needed | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Language centre (EF etc.) | IDR 12–24M | $750–$1,500 | Afternoons/evenings | Not needed | Entry; teacher support; structured |
| Kindergarten/preschool | IDR 10–20M | $625–$1,250 | Morning school hours | Preferred at top | Young learner; energetic teachers |
| Private/National Plus school | IDR 12–20M | $750–$1,250 | School days | Preferred | K-12 curriculum; structured |
| International school | IDR 32–40M+ | $2,000–$2,500+ | School days; M–F | Required | Max income; career; expat families |
| University | IDR 15–25M | $938–$1,563 | Flexible; light hours | Master’s preferred | Academic; research; more free time |
| Corporate English | IDR 300–500K/hr | $19–$31/hr | Business hours | Business exp. instead | Business background; Jakarta/Surabaya |
| NGO/community | IDR 8–12.8M + benefits | $500–$800 | Varies | Not required | Impact; immersion; outer islands |
Does EF Education First really sponsor TEFL certification?
Yes — EF Indonesia (operating as “English First” or “EF”) has been documented by ESLstarter and other platforms as occasionally offering TEFL sponsorship as part of its teacher recruitment package. This is not universal across all EF Indonesia positions — it depends on the specific recruitment cycle and the candidate’s profile. The package described includes a 120-hour TEFL Certificate course (value approximately $500 USD) sponsored by the employer. If you don’t yet have TEFL certification and EF Indonesia is your target, check current recruitment through ESLstarter or EF’s own career pages to confirm whether this benefit is currently being offered.
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