David Keating explains the thinking behind Jakarta’s ‘Aim for English’ language school.

Both learning and using the English language have now become a major part of the lives of many Indonesians. From a young age children begin learning English at schools, meaning the majority of Indonesians who complete formal school education have at least a basic grasp of the fundamentals of the language.

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Increasingly, families are recognizing that children who take language education one step further are getting a ‘head start’ on their peers when it comes to higher education and the employment market. From an early age, some modern Indonesian families (especially those in the big cities) incorporate English into the daily lives of their children through family conversation and after-school language classes. The result of this upsurge in demand for language education has been an increasing number of language schools, and nowhere can this trend better be seen than in Indonesia’s capital city, Jakarta.

A bewildering variety of English language courses are on offer for Jakarta’s youth, from ‘private’ classes with individual teachers to the array of different types of programs offered by the multitude of commercial language schools in the city. There are now English courses aimed at people from all walks of life, and for an array of different purposes:

Academic English, Business English, IELTS preparation, General English, Conversation, TOEFL preparation, writing classes, business communication, ESP(English for specific purposes)… the list goes on…

2 questions will be addressed here:

1.What are students looking for in a Jakarta language school
2.Where can all of their needs be met?

What are students looking for in a Jakarta language school?

Formal market research, combined with extensive personal investigation, has shown that the 5 highest ranking factors in choosing a language school in Jakarta are as follows (1=most important, 5=least important):

1.Experienced, fun teachers.
2.Range of support services and facilities
3.Comfortable learning environment
4.Reasonable price
5.Close to home/office

Where can all of the students’ needs be met?

With so many schools and so many teachers, Jakarta already caters for each of the above mentioned factors. However, very few institutions are able to offer them all and more besides. The new player on the language school scene in Jakarta is ‘Aim for English’, a small Manggarai-based centre offering ‘the personal touch’, as well as courses, services and facilities currently unparalleled in Indonesia.

Innovative language solutions

1.Experienced, fun teachers.

Aim for English (Aim) has teachers from Indonesia and from English-speaking countries. They all have several things in common: – Internationally recognized qualifications, years of experience of teaching English to Indonesians, and genuine passion for the English language and teaching. Unlike some less reputable language schools, Aim’s native-speakers are ‘here to stay’ (they’re not glorified backpackers with a job).

Teacher training and development is a continual process at Aim, and all staff strive for perfection.

1.Range of support services and facilities & 3. Comfortable learning environment
Aim’s facilities really help it stand out from the crowd. Their approach is to go ‘hi-tech’, implementing ‘Smart’ touch-screen white boards in classrooms and MP3-based listening activities. Gone are the days of cassettes and chalk boards; listening activities are now controlled by the white board and piped out via 5.1 digital surround-sound speakers.

Aim’s custom-designed interior creates a modern, bright stimulating place to relax or study. Walk through the door off Jalan Padang into an air-conditioned lounge-café, featuring a computer section, a library, and plenty of places to sit in comfort and read a newspaper with a cup of freshly brewed coffee. Once enrolled, students have access to Aim’s free wireless internet service, providing a hi-speed broadband connection in all communal areas and class rooms.

Also worthy of note is Aim’s one-of-a-kind ‘e-notice board’. The owners of Aim have done away with the traditional cork pin-boards, and now have a giant projector-screen display on the café wall. This is a portal for all of the latest news, special events, offers, schedules and messages. This innovative solution is part of Aim’s drive to save paper. Other strategies are: emailing homework to students, reusing paper, and recycling used paper. This environmentally-friendly policy helps to keep students’ fees as reasonable as possible.

2.Close to home/office

Geographically, Aim really is at the heart of the city. You only have to look as far as ‘Google! Earth’ Aim is right under the marker for ‘Jakarta’!

There’s convenient access for the residential areas of Jakarta, as well as the main central office districts of Sudirman and Kuningan.
Aim’s classes are small (usually 6-8 students), so students receive plenty of personal attention. Out of class, students can contact teachers via email or sms 7 days per week, and teachers make themselves available for casual conversation in the café as often as possible.

Aim also features an impartial ‘Overseas Study Information Centre’, where students can find out about overseas study, get help with applications, and receive advice on the complicated enrollment and student visa process

So finally it seems like people looking for a quality language course which delivers ‘the personal touch’ (while embracing the future) can find what they’re looking for in the heart of Jakarta. www.aimjakarta.com has details of staff, courses, facilities and current special offers.
Look for the forum too; it’s a chance for anyone to get free online advice from the English language experts.

Contact: [email protected] for more information.

About the author

David Keating is a senior English teacher with several years of first-hand experience in the Indonesian language education industry.

By Alex Smith

Although the wily jungles of Indonesia are slightly tamer than the days of the Borneo headhunters, there are still many options for the modern day thrill seeker. Whether trekking in the jungles and mountains of the vast archipelago, diving in some of the most biologically diverse waters in the world, or visiting with some of the few remaining tribal groups in the world, Indonesia can still live up to its unfettered past.

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From the snow capped peaks of Papua to the smoking volcanoes of Java, Indonesia presents any trekker with a wide array of choices, regardless of skill level. The further a field you plan to go, the more valuable you will find using a tour agency to arrange your trip. Tour agencies often get better deals on national airline tickets and can arrange for transportation and accommodation in areas where such amenities are scarce. Papua, the easternmost province of Indonesia, is unfortunately experiencing periods of civil unrest, so be sure to get updated information if you plan to set off there. The snow covered Carstensz Pyramid, locally known as Puncak Jaya, is the highest mountain in Papua. Please note – the trek up Carstensz Pyramid is for the experienced climber. For those looking for something challenging, but without the need for carabineers, try the third highest peak in Papua, Trikora Mountain. Indonesia requires all trekkers in Papua to obtain a climbing permit, usually arranged by your tour company. Trekking can be combined with a visit to one of the few remaining tribal groups on the island to experience first hand the wonder of what it means to live off the land.

If you like diving, the blue waters of Indonesia, teeming with marine life of all shapes and colors, are not to be missed. Some of the best diving in the world is found in Indonesia and options come in all price ranges, from a quick dip off the coast of Bali to a two week liveaboard that will take you to areas otherwise inaccessible. Among the most popular dive spots for those wanting easy access, as well as beach resorts, is Bunaken Island off the coast of North Sulawesi. Bunaken has suffered some damage to its coral reefs from blast fishing, but much is still alive or recovering through the efforts of local conservation groups. If you prefer a liveaboard, there are many operators to the Komodo Islands, Sulawesi’s Wakatobi and Lembeh Strait, Flores, and Alor, to name a few. Shop around for the best price and definitely check up on the company or you might find your accommodations less than desirable. Once you get in the water though, expect to be awed by teeming barracudas, colorful cuttlefish, and mantas.

For the eco-tourist, the options are endless. From orangutan spotting and jungle trekking in Kalimantan to Komodo Dragon watching on the shores of Komodo, options vary by budget and time frame. The orangutan population continues to dwindle every year and some of the money garnered from eco-tourism goes to support foundations and local groups that work to save them. Although the number of visitors is limited each year, tour companies can arrange a visit to the famous rainforest study area of Tanjing Putting National Park and Camp Leakey in Kalimantan (formerly Borneo). A visit to the Ministry of Forestry’s feed station might earn you the chance to interact with the orangutans directly. Accommodation and transportation are best arranged beforehand as flights can vary throughout the year. Another popular ecotourism destination is Komodo National Park which includes the three large islands of Komodo, Rinca, and Padar as well as several smaller islands. A visit to this area can be combined with a dive trip as the waters in the reserve are home to an estimated 900-1,000 marine species. The Komodo Dragons themselves, giant monitor lizards, are relatively easy to spot, but you’re guaranteed to find them safely with the help of a guide. Accommodation in the National Park is rustic, but the staff is friendly and the food is decent. Foregoing the beaches of Bali may not be easy for some, but the treasures of the other Indonesian islands are not to be missed.

About the Author

Alex Smith maintains and manages the Cheap Thailand Travel website at http://www.cheapthaitravel.com

By Alex A. Smith

Indonesia, a sprawling archipelago of thousands of islands, is known throughout the world for its biological diversity and Balinese beach getaways. As culturally diverse as it is biologically, the capital city of Jakarta is a melting pot of roughly 10 million people. Home to numerous expatriates from all corners of the earth, Jakarta has everything any cosmopolitan city has to offer – but you might just have to dig a little deeper to find it. While your first impression might leave you choking on fumes from the ubiquitous Metro Mini public buses that leave a trail of grey exhaust along the main thoroughfares, Jakarta quickly compensates with its high end shopping malls, excellent cuisine, and smiling faces. Known as the “Big Durian” after the notoriously stinky Southeast Asian thorny fruit, Jakarta certainly makes an impression on all who have counted themselves among Indonesia’s bule gila (crazy foreigners).

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If you are relocating to Jakarta, the first challenge you might find yourself up against is the hunt for accommodation. While short term needs are easily met by any of the international or national hotel chains in the city, longer term accommodation can be trickier. The decision usually boils down to a villa or an apartment. For those of more modest means, there are also communal living arrangements called kost that include a private bedroom and bathroom with shared living area and kitchen. The area in which you choose to live is usually decided by your particular needs. Families often opt to live in Jakarta’s southern neighborhoods in order to have a larger house with a yard and easy access to Jakarta’s international schools. Kemang is an area of town most known for its expat population and as such has numerous boutiques, cafes, restaurants, and bars within walking distance. Singles and couples often live in Kemang or opt for the more centrally located apartments that can be found in and around the central business district. Centrally located apartments are often on the higher end of rental spectrum as they offer a host of luxury amenities such as on site gym, security, and pool.

Jakarta has much entertainment to offer both young and old throughout the year. The up and coming local and international artists have made great effort to broaden Jakarta’s cultural horizon and sponsor annual events such as the Jakarta International Film Festival and the Jazz Festival. Embassies and Consulates also bring in talent every month which include pianists, operatic performances, and chamber music. For athletic types, whether children or adults, there are numerous intramural teams who are very welcoming to newcomers, such as the football teams and Ultimate Frisbee leagues. If your idea of athleticism is lifting a Starbucks while you contemplate whether or not to buy that cute Kate Spade bag – Jakarta will not disappoint. With new shopping malls springing up every year, Jakarta is quickly becoming a shopping haven to rival the nearby retail center of Singapore. With numerous high end stores such as Bulgari, Valentino, and Gucci as well as moderately priced chains like the U.K.’s TopShop, there is something for everyone.

If you find yourself missing home while in Jakarta, you don’t have to go far to find a taste of comfort food, whatever it might be. Be sure to check out Scusa at the Intercontinental for Italian, C’s for steaks and seafood at the Grand Hyatt, and of course the place to see and be seen for Sunday brunch, Seasons Café at the Four Seasons. If hotels aren’t your thing – don’t worry – there are more than enough International restaurants tucked away in a neighborhood near you. Try the persistent favorite, Koi with mouth watering desserts or line up for freshly flown in mussels at Cassis every Tuesday. For consistently good Indian, try Kinara in Kemang. The newly renovated Blowfish is the trendiest place for sushi these days, and the attached club gets going by 11pm making a late dinner transition into drinks a step away. If you have a hankering for dim sum, you will not be disappointed in the consistently high quality of Din Tai Fung in Plaza Senayan Arcadia. And if you stay long enough – there are bound to many new restaurants popping up as the city’s economy continues to recover.

About the Author

Alex Smith has traveled extensively in Southeast Asia, has lived in Bangkok, Thailand for the last four years where he maintains and manages the Cheap Thailand Travel website.