becoming a German teacher in Indonesia

[niklas]

Selamat Malam,

my Name is Niklas and I come from Germany.
I spend one semester at UGM at Faculty of Business and Economics last year and really enjoyed my time in Indonesia. I have made so many good experiences, so that there is no doubt for me to go back to Indonesia and stay there for a bite longer ... the rest of my life probably ;)

My intention is to look for a job as a German Teacher.
I have experience in teaching at university as a tutor for maths and also gained some experience in teaching tennis when I was in high school. Unfortunately I do not have a degree in teaching / education. My major is, as stated above, business (controlling). Still, I will graduate with a grade point avarage of 1,6 ( = A -) and hope this is sufficient as a good reference.

Does anybody of you know about my chances of becoming a teacher in Indonesia without having an academic degree in teaching?

Furthermore, is there anybody in this forum looking for a teacher teaching German language?

I have already made some inquiries at language schools, but my general experience with that is, that most of my emails disappear or get lost in their inboxes ...

One more thought: Has anyone of you considered to set up a language school or has ambitions to do so?

Greetings from Germany
Niklas

[travellingchez]

There is a German International School in Jakarta. http://www.dis.or.id/

[niklas]

thank you traveellingchez, I have already known this school :) I contacted them last night and I will see what happens ... Still I fear that to teach at German International School in Jakarta a degree in education is needed. Am I right?

[travellingchez]

I would think they would prefer a degree in education or some teaching experience.
Is there anything stopping you going and getting a Masters in Education. I'm not sure how it works in Germany but in the UK can do a PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate in Education) with QTS (qualified teaching status). This takes a year to do and would open up many more doors. As a European Citizen you would be entitled to funding to study in the UK. If not do the equivalent in Germany.

It's something to consider especially if you are thinking of permanently moving overseas to teach. It will help to open more doors to you.

[Mas Mana]

Hi Niklas,
I am a German graduate of Indonesian Culture and Language studies. I do not hold any degree in Teaching German as a Foreign Language (DaF), just like you, but I have quite a bit of teaching experience on an academic level in my own field here in Germany.
This combination does not seem to be that great for finding a German teaching job in Indonesia, although I have to admit I only tried it half-heartedly up to now (last time 2 years ago).

In most official teaching jobs for German in Indonesia, especially at university level, the DaF qualification seems to be the major requirement. Some DAAD programs might tell you otherwise (like "applicants should be graduates of either the local languages OR hold a degree in DaF"), but it seems that most institutions in Indonesia will take a formally qualified DaF teacher with no experience in Indonesia anytime over "just a native speaker" of German who could offer extensive local language skills and general teaching experience.
So even your time at UGM and your current level of Indonesian language proficiency might possibly not help you there - at least that is my own experience from both personal applications to DAAD and communication with several Indonesian universities as well.

Two possible options for you:
- Best idea: Get an additional degree in DaF, maybe Goethe Institut can offer some training for you there, or
- go less formal, so rather try to find a place to teach German at an Indonesian International Standard School (SBI) than at an international school (like Deutsche Schule Jakarta) in Indonesia or even at university level.

It seems that on the more formal levels of employment, this is not only about "being a native speaker plus having general teaching qualifications and/or experience", but in many cases exclusively about "are you a qualified, formally trained and certified DaF teacher or not?".
Keeping an eye open for jobs in private language schools, like you already suggested in your OP, might currently be your best approach.

[mpoetschik]

Hi Niklas,

did you got an answer from the German International School (DIS (http://www.dis.or.id)) meanwhile?
I am the IT teacher there and from what I know I could imagine there might be some options, since also in the trilingual section German teachers are always needed.
So you should ask both Principals. Thats one from the native german and the trilingual section.
Finally there are also options to work as a private tutor (Nachhilfelehrer), since we have many kids with problems regarding the german language. (You would earn 200 000 per 45.min / per kid and session)
Another idea is to ask at the German-Indonesia Studienkolleg (http://www.studienkolleg-indonesia.net/de.html)since they prepare native Indonesians to study in Germany.
Finally I probably want to initiate a German Course for Indonesian mothers of bilingual families in fall. (We have quite some here in this community) Here I am still looking for a native German teacher.

Rgds
Martin

[niklas]

Hi Martin,

sounds great!
What I did so far was to send an email to the DIS ([email protected] ([email protected])). Unfortunately I did not get a response. Well, I will have to try to get in touch with them when I will come to Indonesia this July after my graduation. I think it's hard to get the job from the distance.
Thank you for your kind advice regarding the Studienkolleg.

I like your idea of initiating this project! I could imagine to participate in your project as well.
Anyway, here is my email: kaenik(at)hs-pforzheim.de

Feel free to contact me. We may meet in Jakarta?

Grüße,
Niklas

[mpoetschik]

That's fine. Everything else by email.

[niklas]

I recieved a reply from the headteacher of DIS.
My chances for getting a job as teacher are rather low according to him ... I asked for a position as a private teacher / tutor, but I am not very confident about it.

Well, for those of you who still believe in me ... feel free to contact me :)

[travellingchez]

Well like I said before go and get yourself a postgraduate teaching qualification. It's the best decision I made and it will make your move here or else where a lot easier.