Day to Day Life as an ESL Teacher in Indonesia

Hi, my name is Alissa!

Ever since I was little, I knew my future would extend miles beyond the borders of the United States. Admittedly, I did not expect to go halfway across the globe, but here I am now in Indonesia, working in a field that I never intended to.

If I have learned anything from my time in Indonesia working at English 1, it is that life is full of surprises. I have been a teacher in Surabaya, the second largest city in Indonesia, now for nearly two years. When I first came here in 2023, I had just graduated from university and thought I would work in some boring office job in the US. However, after an opening to teach at English 1 in Indonesia caught my eye on a random morning, I figured, “Well, why not?” I love being adventurous, exploring the world, learning about new cultures, and trying new things. It seemed like an opportunity too unique to pass up despite meaning I would have to move over ten thousand miles away, and that is how my journey began. Before I knew it, I was packing my bags, saying goodbye to family and friends, and was on my very long journey across the Pacific.

My life did a complete one hundred eighty in the first few weeks of living in Surabaya. From the language, food options, weather, markets and shops, roads, transportation, clothing, and money, everything was different. This new way of living, combined with being introduced to education and teaching, made me feel as if I were a child learning to exist in the world again, which left me overwhelmed at times. But similar to a child, I slowly but surely learned how to become a sponge, observing and absorbing new knowledge around me every day and eventually becoming more confident in my new lifestyle.

I mentioned earlier that education is a field that I never intended to work in. If I had been told three years ago that I would hear young kids calling me “Ms.” or “Ms. Alissa” every day, I would not have believed you in the slightest. Forrest Gump’s famous “Life is like a box of chocolates” line is something I not only attest to, but have now made a mantra to live by.

For my daily life as a teacher in Indonesia, I find one of the major benefits is being able to enjoy a work life balance. Before a full day of planning and teaching, I have my pre work day routine, which normally comprises a relaxing morning where I am probably listening to music while getting ready for the day or drinking coffee with friends at a local café. This is the luxury of having a job where classes do not start until mid afternoon. I go into the school around noon and spend the next few hours planning and preparing for classes. There is always a lot to consider when lesson planning, such as the students’ personalities, strengths and weaknesses, energy levels, ages, interests, and so on. I try my best to consider all these features when deciding what activities to do.

The classroom is where that second half of Gump’s famous line, “You never know what you are going to get”, is the most prominent in my job as an ESL teacher because each day brings something different. Teaching is definitely not a monotonous profession. I am consistently surprised at what the students can do in just an eighty- minute or two hour lesson. Additionally, I teach multiple classes of mixed age groups, so I might have a class with eight year olds, then another with sixteen year olds right after. I enjoy teaching a range of age groups because it truly keeps things refreshing and allows me to practise my teaching skills and interactions in a variety of circumstances. When classes start, I go in with the aim of having a memorable, fun, and engaging experience that the students can take with them for years into the future. It is always interesting seeing how they learn, what motivates them, how they engage with me or their friends, the creative ideas they have, their problem solving skills, how they respond to adversity, and overall seeing their abilities grow.

Another part of being an ESL teacher also means that I am teaching beyond English language skills. I am responsible for teaching classroom boundaries, enhancing social development, promoting critical thinking, predicting future events, inferring information, discussing cultural differences, encouraging self confidence, and so many other life skills. I find this rewarding because I want to teach my students how to form a sentence in the past tense and beyond. Yes, using correct verb tenses is very important, but ultimately when I think about the impact I want to have on students, I want to inspire them to one day use their English skills to accomplish their dreams, especially if it means going abroad one day. I hope to serve as an example to them, to show them they can go anywhere they want in the world if they choose to, as long as they work hard to make it happen.

When classes are finished, the sun is long gone and it is time to get the evening started. I can be found spending this time in the gym, which is conveniently located halfway between my school and house. It is also only a five to ten minute motorbike ride away from the school, and yes, riding on the back of a motorbike is my primary method of transportation here. After I enjoy a gym session, I go home to finally unwind from the day. This is my favourite time to enjoy the cuisine scene here. Often, I will make plans to go out to eat at a restaurant with friends and we can chat about how our day went while savouring the flavours and spices that Indonesian food excels in. When it comes to the food, I have found little that I do not like. All the dishes fill your palate with rich flavour, fresh ingredients, and rice. Always rice. Some popular choices are Soto Ayam, chicken soup, Nasi Goreng, fried rice, Mie Goreng, fried noodles, Bakso, meatballs, and Nasi Padang, rice, meat, and vegetables with tasty sauce. Because of so many delicious dishes, it is no wonder why Indonesians take food so seriously. They love to discuss food, recommend snacks, and eat with their friends and family. After eating a fantastic meal, I will settle into my nightly routine, which ultimately ends with watching whatever series I am in the middle of until I turn in for the night, knowing the next day will await more exciting and valuable work.

My time teaching in Indonesia and at English 1 has pushed me to do things I never thought possible. When I was in high school, presenting in front of the class was my worst nightmare, and now it is something I do every single day like second nature. I never thought I would ever be comfortable speaking to kids, or be able to connect and have fun with teenagers, but if I could give my younger self, or any teacher looking to teach abroad, any advice, it would be to do what scares you. I am a firm believer that you cannot grow as a person without conquering your fears head on. So if you are thinking of becoming an ESL teacher in Indonesia or another foreign country but have doubts, I encourage you to take the leap and go for it. That is what I did with English 1, and I have made so many lifelong memories and close friends along the way.

Ironically, even though I am here to teach, I have also spent the last two years as a student, a student of everything Indonesia has to offer. This country has taught me in return through its amazing cultures and customs, breathtaking landscapes, and diverse traditions. However, the most important teacher Indonesia gifted me was the people. From my inspiring, hardworking, and dedicated colleagues to my funny, charming, and enthusiastic students, these are the people who have really made my teaching experience here so remarkable.