Teach English in INDONESIA

Why Teach English in Indonesia?

With world-class surfing and diving, a large number of cultural, historical, and archaeological attractions, and an enormous range of accommodations, this is one of the world’s most popular island destinations and one which consistently wins travel awards
Get TEFL Accredited in Bali, the famed Island of the Gods, with its varied landscape of hills and mountains, rugged coastlines and sandy beaches, lush rice terraces, and barren volcanic hillsides all providing a picturesque backdrop to its colorful, deeply spiritual, and unique culture stakes a serious claim to be paradise on earth.
English Teachers in Indonesia earn generous salaries of $1200 – $2000 USD* per month (17.9 – 29 million Rupiah) and live comfortably because of the low cost of living. * USD amounts may fluctuate due to exchange rate volatility.
Our teach English in Indonesia program offers teaching travelers the opportunity to save money and then travel extensively around Indonesia and its neighboring countries.
Salaries are based largely on experience in the following way:
- Teachers with any degree, qualification and experience: $1200-$2500 USD* (Realisic expectation in current climate for degree holder in any field would be 1500USD*)
- Teachers with an education degree and experience: $1800-$2800 USD* (realistic expectation would be 2000 USD* as a maximum in the current climate)
- *USD amounts may fluctuate due to exchange rate volatility.
Saving potential depends strongly on your lifestyle and placement location, but on average the living expenses generally range from $700 – $800 USD
With up to 28 days paid leave per year, teachers have the opportunity to balance their work lifestyle and have enough time (and money) to enjoy the opportunities to travel and relax in picturesque paradise.
Our teach English in Indonesia Placements are for 1 year and can be renewed if you’d like to stay and continue to teach English in Indonesia for more than a year.
Bali is by the far the most popular destination in Indonesia and as a result, 80% of their economy rests on tourism. This in turn, means that giving Balinese students the opportunity to learn English from a native speaker has a powerful impact on their future- meaning that your job as an English teacher is deeply rewarding and impactful.
Bali is known for tourist hotspots that cater to surfer dudes, budget-backpackers as well as high end luxury travellers. But there is a side to Bali that many do not experience- and the road less travelled is often the most beautiful.

Stroll along lush green terraced rice fields and learn about traditional Balinese irrigation systems.

Watch a spectacular sunrise on Mount Batur with 360 degree views of beautiful Bali

Visit the Tanah Lot temple in Bali, an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to the gods of the sea.

A teacher with his class in Indonesia

Experience incredible sunsets at the Lawn in Canggu Bali

Visit one of only 7 pink Beaches on the planet in the beautiful Komodo Islands

Visit the Pura Tirta Empul Temple in Bali.

The hands-on approach of our TESOL will allow you to be the best teacher you can be- confident and prepared to take on your very own class!

Sunrise view from the top of Mount Batur, a dormant volcano – an activity which can be arranged, and an incredible experience.

The monkey forest in Ubud which is also part of the orientation activities in Ubud.

View from the Uluwatu temple (which is one of the orientation activities)

The ridge walk between the rice paddies in Ubud which you can do whilst on the orientation in Ubud.

Full-service Placement Process

It can be scary and intimidating traveling to a foreign country and the complex documentation and requirements can be overwhelming and confusing.

We know. We’ve all taught abroad before.

That’s why we don’t just find you an overseas teaching placement, we support you throughout our entire teach abroad experience!

Here’s how we help

Everything explained clearly. We’ll walk you through each step and make sure you’re prepared.
We help you plan. From what to pack to what documents to gather when.
Internationally Accredited TEFL/TESOL Certification. Your TEFL certificate indicates that it includes observed practical lesson – this is the preferred requirement for schools worldwide, and they are now reluctant to accept online courses or the shorter 60-hr courses.
Cultural Orientation. A cultural tour to either Ubud, Uluwatu or Lempuyang, lunch at a local Warung (Indonesian style restaurant), cultural awareness sessions and Instagram tagging and prizes to get to know the area.
Guidance and Support throughout. We’re on hand to guide you through each step and ease you into your new and exciting teaching and traveling experience.
Job Placement Assistance. We assist you with placement in carefully selected and reputable schools in Indonesia.
24/7 support. Once you arrive in Indonesia we’ve got your back in an emergency or to answer any questions.

With TravelBud, you’ll always be talking to someone who has taught abroad before, so you’ll get informed, first-hand advice to guide and prepare you for your experience.

Do I Qualify To Teach English in Indonesia?

You don’t need to have any teaching experience to teach English in Indonesia, although there are higher earning potentials for those that do.

You do need:

A passport from the UK, USA, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa
A Bachelor’s degree in any field
Between the ages of 20 – 59 years old
No criminal record

How long is the teaching contract for?

Teaching contracts are 12 month contracts.
You also have the option to renew if you’re not ready to leave after your first contract (we won’t blame you!)

What if I don’t have a TEFL/TESOL certificate?

We highly recommend the140 hour in-class TESOL course with us in Bali.

* There is a TEFL extension program for those with an existing Online TEFL with a separate application process.

Read about our TEFL/TESOL courses below to learn more.

If you’re unsure about any of your qualifications, chat to us!

We’ll answer all your questions and do our best to accommodate you.

In-class TEFL/TESOL Accreditation Course in Bali

Many TEFL/TESOL courses are not accredited and do not provide adequate preparation for teaching, while others are accredited but aren’t tailored to the actual country you’ll be teaching in.

That’s why we require completing our 140-hour in-class TEFL/TESOL in Bali. It will give you the best possible preparation, both for the classroom and for a successful immersion into day-to-day life and culture and ensures that your students get the best education.

Meet fellow teacher travelers and forge new friendships while participating in exciting cultural activities and excursions.

Our 140-hour Teach English in Indonesia TESOL course will ensure that teachers are properly prepared for teaching English prior to being placed.

TEFL/TESOL Accreditation offers both practical training and classroom sessions to equip you with the knowledge and skills required to teach English to non-native speakers.

You’ll learn everything you need to know to succeed teaching in an Indonesian classroom.

We find that too many TEFL/TESOL courses are generalised to every country and do not account for the significant differences that exist in terms of the cultural and professional environments that comes with teaching in different countries.

This is why we ensure that all TravelBud TEFL/TESOL courses are tailored specifically to the country our students and soon-to-be teachers will be teaching in.

The TEFL/TESOL Course is a 4 week course and takes place in Sanur, a beach town on the south eastern coast of the Indonesian island of Bali.

The course is tailored specifically for those preparing to teach English in Indonesia offers both practical training and classroom sessions to equip you with the knowledge and skills required to teach English to non-native speakers.

The following areas/subjects are covered during your 4 weeks:

An introduction to South East Asian culture – to help your transition
into the local classroom and community.
Teaching techniques – we provide you with models to teach beginners
as well as advanced students, young learners and adults
Teaching the four skills of language: speaking, listening, reading and writing Planning a course for special purposes (such as for a business)
Grammar – brushing up yours as a teacher, and techniques to teach grammar
Phonics
Creating materials for lessons
Lesson planning
Suitable activities for the language classroom
Discipline in the classroom
Building rapport with your students, including warmers and coolers in the classroom.
Classroom management, covering all aspects Teaching one-to-one, as well as larger classes
Teaching vocabulary
Understanding problems for Asian learners (understanding the differences between their language and English) as well as for other key languages, such as Spanish and Russian.
Error correction techniques
Preparing your CV/resumé, and tips for the interview process
Teaching business English
Teaching practices and assignments: You will have the opportunity to conduct several full lessons (teacher practices). These are observed by a trainer, and detailed and constructive feedback is given to you after each lesson, to help you improve for your next lesson, and your career to follow. (You will get an opportunity to teach both young learners and adults). Our qualified trainers will assist you with the lesson planning process. Read our blog on making the most of your observed lesson
Materials project: Here you will present the materials used for lessons, to the class.
A journal entry assignment
Various lesson planning and group work assignments
Various tests and tasks over the 4-week course, covering grammar, punctuation and a few other aspects covered in class. We work with our teachers to adequately prepare them for these tests. All content of the tests is covered during the course.

Course Schedule

Arrival & Week 1

Welcome meal on the first evening of course
Monday to Thursday: In class, all theory and techniques.
Saturday – Off
Sunday – Off

Week 2

Monday to Friday – combination of classroom sessions and pracs at local schools.
Cultural morning on second Thursday which involves temple visits and a monk blessing
Saturday – Off
Sunday – Off

Week 3

Monday to Friday – combination of classroom sessions / assignments and pracs at local schools.
Saturday – Off
Sunday – Off

Week 4

Monday to Wednesday – combination of classroom sessions / assignments and pracs at local schools
Thursday morning – final classroom session
Thursday afternoon – GRADUATION
Final graduation meal
Friday – Off

There is no final examination that determines your pass grade. Your final course result is determined by the combined marks of the assignments above, as well as on your participation and teamwork in class, attendance and behaviour.

A grade of at least 70% is required in order to pass the course. More than 50% of this grade is made up of marks for teacher practices.

Trainees are awarded with either a ‘pass’, ‘merit’, ‘high merit’ or ‘distinction’. All graduates receive a report, and those who obtain a merit or higher, are also presented with a personalised letter of reference.

You’ll head off to your placement feeling as prepared and confident to step into the classroom as you possibly can.

You’ll also meet fellow teachers from all corners of the world who will form a part of your community of companions throughout the cultural adventure of teaching and travelling.

Meet and greet with your fellow teacher travelers

Visit enchanting temples during your program and learn more about Balinese culture and history

Your cultural experience is shared with your fellow teacher travelers.

A big part of teaching abroad is the opportunity to network with fellow travelers, build life-long friendships and enjoy multi-cultural exchanges

Enjoy some quintessential Bali refreshments!

Costs

What Will I Earn?

As an English teacher in Indonesia, you’ll earn within the range of $1200 to $2000* per month (17.9 – 29 million Rupiah) depending on your qualifications, experience and placement location. This will comfortably cover your living expenses and weekend adventures due to the low cost of living.

* USD amounts may fluctuate due to exchange rate volatility.

How much does it cost?

The following costs make up the program fee and are payable to TravelBud before you head over to Teach English in Indonesia.

Currency Converter

Change to your currency. Default prices in US Dollar (USD). Please take note that the amount reflected above is based on the current exchange rate and may fluctuate due to exchange rate volatility on the day of being invoiced.

We offer three program options for intake dates:

Option 1 (includes Full TEFL/TESOL certification and Job Placement Assistance)
In-class TEFL/TESOL Certification and Job Placement Assistance, Orientation and Support (Highly Recommended)
Option 2 (includes 2 week TEFL extension program for existing TEFL holders and job placement assistance)
2 week orientation program and 6-10 hours of teacher practicum in schools, NGOs or businesses.

OPTION 1

In-class TEFL/TESOL and Job Placement, Orientation and Support (Highly Recommended)

The in-class TESOL course is tailored specifically to teaching English in Indonesia and will give you valuable insight into Indonesian culture and the specifics of teaching in an Indonesian classroom.

Total	$2250
Enrollment Fee and Support Required to enroll in the program and begin receiving pre-departure support from the TravelBud team.	$550 What's included?
In-class TESOL, job placement, orientation and 24/7 support The 140-hour in-class TESOL gives you the best possible preparation and ensures your students get the best education. We also assist you with a job placement so you can start earning straight away.	$1700 What's included?

OPTION 2

Already have a TEFL/TESOL Certificate?

Take our TEFL/TESOL Extension Course

For teachers that already have extensive experience in the teaching field, as well as an existing online/in-class 120-hour TESOL/TEFL/CELTA, we offer the 2 week TEFL Extension course.

Ultimately this encompasses a 2 week practical learning course that attaches to your existing TEFL to qualify it to be an “in-class” certificate.

All those applying for the Extension Course will be required to follow and submit special documentation to be approved by the course director prior to acceptance onto the program. Your co-ordinator will guide you through this specialised application process.

Total	$1400
Enrollment Fee and Support Required to enroll in the program and begin receiving pre-departure support from the TravelBud team	$550 What's included?
Job Placement and 24/7 Support Job Placement assistance in a background-checked and credible school. Payable 10 weeks prior to departure.	$850 What's included?

What is included in the TravelBud enrollment fee?

Pre-departure Support

As soon as you pay your initial enrollment fee, your pre-departure support kicks off. From that moment on, TravelBud will be on call to answer all your questions and provide all the support and guidance you need.

Getting the necessary documentation prepared prior to departure
Assisting you with all planning, packing, visas, costs, budgets and booking flights
Answering your questions to help ease any anxieties you may have regarding your trip.

24/7 Dedicated Ongoing In-country Support

On-the-ground support and personal assistance throughout the duration of your teaching experience.
In the event of an emergency, we’ll be on hand 24/7
TravelBud’s support managers will also check in with you regularly for the duration of your teaching English in Indonesia experience.

Teaching Resources and Support from local teachers

Access to teaching resources such as printable lesson plans and worksheets which will make your job a whole lot easier!
There is always a supervisor that teachers can go to for help with their teaching tasks.

What is included in the TravelBud Program fee?

Once you’ve paid your enrollment fee, you’ll unlock all the benefits of your pre-departure support and placement process.

The last thing you’ll need to pay is your final fee, this is the remainder of the cost for the program you’re signed up for.

Here’s what’s included in that:

Airport pickup to your accommodation (provided you opt to stay at one of the recommended accommodation options).If you choose to stay elsewhere, you will need to arrange an airport transfer with the relevant property.
A SIM card is not provided as part of the program fee. We’ll provide guidance on obtaining a sim card upon your arrival.
Cultural Orientation. A cultural tour to either Ubud, Uluwatu or Lempuyang, lunch at a local Warung (Indonesian style restaurant), cultural awareness sessions and Instagram tagging and prizes to get to know the area.
4 Week in-class TESOL course with an experienced instructor that will see you graduate with a 140 hour, internationally accredited TESOL certificate
Your TEFL certificate indicates that it includes observed practical lessons – this is the preferred requirement for schools worldwide.

Our practical training includes both youth and adult lessons, at various schools, businesses and NGOs around the town.
Job Placement Assistance at a carefully vetted school where every effort is made to match your placement requirements.Including:

Optimising your CV for the Indonesian school systems.
In-depth interview preparation
Mock interview demo and lesson plan assistance
Distribution of your CV to our network
Access to our Alumni-only job postings Facebook group.

24/7 in-country support from a dedicated in-country team
Access to our teacher network, our TEFL/TESOL education team and a wide array of teaching resources to help you in your job in the classroom
Lifetime placement assistance ensuring placement on any qualifying program in Indonesia or Cambodia where there is availability for FREE, once you’ve completed your first contract

We understand it’s hard to take this all in.

With TravelBud, you’ll always be talking to someone who has taught or volunteered abroad before, so you’ll get informed, first-hand advice to guide and prepare you for your experience.

Budgets

What are the other costs involved prior to departing?

The above tables detail costs you’ll need to pay TravelBud in order to join the program.

You’ll also need to budget for various other expenses, not payable to TravelBud, which allow you to legally teach abroad plus the cost of travel to your destination and insurance for your trip.

Our support team will walk you through everything prior to you departing to ensure you have exactly what you need by when you need to have it. The following is what you’ll need to budget for:

Please Note:

Due to COVID-19 rules and regulations, budgets are subject to change. Our team will advise you on all the latest up to date information and pricing.

Indonesia is generally a cheap place to travel to, so you should be able to manage on a relatively low budget if necessary.

You will be spending at least 2 months in Indonesia before you receive your first paycheck from your school.

You will, therefore, need to budget enough money to see you through the first month during the TEFL course and your first month of teaching.

Of course, the amount of money you will need depends on your spending habits.

Please note the below outline is an estimation and may vary depending on different factors.

Our support managers will assist you with booking flights, finding the best insurance for you and advising you on all the documents costs involved.

What do I need to budget for?

Bear in mind that you will be spending at least 2 months in Indonesia before you receive your first pay check.

You will therefore need to budget enough money to see you through the 1 month TEFL/TESOL course and your first month of teaching.

Of course, the amount of money you need depends on your spending habits and Costa Rica is generally an affordable place to travel and live in.

As in most travel destinations, the more touristy activities, restaurants, and transport options will be a lot more expensive but we will guide you on how to live and budget like a local to get the most out of your pay check.

Take a look through our budget guidelines to see what budget suits your spending habits.

Please note the below outline is an estimation and may vary depending on different factors

Currency Converter

Pre-departure Budget

TOTAL	$821 - $2771
Flights Flight prices vary depending on where you travel from and when you book. Prices can occasionally exceed this range. TravelBud is partnered with Student Universe so you are more than welcome to click here to complete our form and receive a quotation for your consideration.	$250 - $850
Insurance Travel insurance prices can vary depending on things like provider, age, country of origin and duration of your stay. This range is for TravelBud's recommended policies based on stays of 6 months or 1 year. Travel insurance is a mandatory requirement for all TravelBud programs. TravelBud is partnered with World Nomads so you are more than welcome to click here to complete our form and receive a quotation for your consideration.	$250 - $1500
Documentation This budget is assuming all of your current documentation is in English, you are in possession of your physical degree and that you hold a valid passport.	$20 - $70
Visa (First two months) Visa fees are dependent on the Indonesian embassy you apply through. This is the general cost of a visa.	$295
COVID PCR Test The cost of PCR tests varies from country to country and the lab which you make use of. This is an estimation of the general cost for a test.	$56

In-Country Budget

TOTAL	$600 - $1700
Accommodation The cost of your accommodation during the course will vary as it’s dependent on which option you choose.	$300 - $600
Other Expenses (Food, laundry, transportation etc.) Participants are able to spend much less than the amount stated here depending on your spending habits. The amount given is a safe approximation	$300 - $600

First Month Teaching & Visa Costs

TOTAL	$541 - $2788
Travel to Placement Location You will need to travel to your teaching placement.	$15 - $93
Accommodation When you arrive at your teaching placement, you will need to pay rent for the first month and typically two months’ rent as a deposit. The cost will also be dependent on the type of accommodation you choose. Depending on your electricity usage you can expect to spend approximately $10 - $80 on utilities.	$210 - $980
Other Expenses (Food, laundry, transportation etc.) Participants are able to spend much less than the amount stated here depending on your spending habits. The amount given is a safe approximation.	$300 - $600
Startup Items (toiletries, towel, fan, phone Almost all apartments are fully furnished and some offer services such as cleaning, 24-hour security, garbage collection, and WiFi. You may want to buy a few things such as towels, toiletries and other necessities.	$16 - $165
Optional Expenses Nightlife, shopping, etc.	$0 - $95
Visa Extension (up to 6 months) Most schools will require you to sign a year-long contract. Nearly all schools will assist and pay for your visa extension and work permit. Should this not be included in your contract, this is what you can expect to pay.	$0 - $60
Visa Renewal (2 months) Most schools will require you to sign a year-long contract. Nearly all schools will assist and pay for your visa extension and work permit. Should this not be included in your contract, this is what you can expect to pay.	$0 - $295

You will also need to take over enough spending money to cover living expenses during your first month of teaching.

Chat to us if you have questions about budget and spending.

Once you start earning a salary, your living costs will be comfortably covered, you’ll start to learn how to cut down on your monthly expenses (for example, eating out less and finding the most affordable grocery store in your placement town) and you will be able to enjoy your time teaching and traveling in Indonesia.

When can I start Teaching English in Indonesia?

Start Dates for our In-Class TEFL/TESOL Course in Sanur, Bali

Please note: If you are already TEFL certified and are enrolling for the TEFL extension program, start dates are two weeks later. See below for exact dates.

Intake Date	Can I still apply?
2023
12 June 2023	Spaces Available
31 July 2023	Spaces Available
28 August 2023	Spaces Available
25 September 2023	Spaces Available
30 October 2023	Spaces Available
27 November 2023	Spaces Available
2024
08 January 2024
05 February 2024
04 March 2024
15 April 2024
13 May 2024
10 June 2024
29 July 2024
26 August 2024
30 September 2024
28 October 2024
25 November 2024

Start Dates for TEFL Extension in Sanur, Bali

Intake Date	Can I still apply?
2023
21 June 2023	Spaces Available
09 August 2023	Spaces Available
06 September 2023	Spaces Available
04 October 2023	Spaces Available
08 November 2023	Spaces Available
06 December 2023	Spaces Available
2024
17 January 2024
14 February 2024
13 March 2024
24 April 2024
22 May 2024
19 June 2024
07 August 2024
04 September 2024
09 October 2024
06 November 2024
04 December 2024