A Life-Changing Experience - Teach English in Japan with Interac

My teaching experience working for Interac, the world’s greatest education leader has been absolutely magnificent. Additionally, the professionalism, and support received from everyone, including the marvelous job staff, and school faculty has been simply unimaginable. Being a kindergarten teacher in Japan, is truly a dream come true. Everyday, we engage in many fun filled game activities, using English to communicate together. Im so thrilled to see many of the students eager to play, dance, and chase each other around the playground area.

Being an ALT is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made so far in choosing a career. I am not just sharing my knowledge and skills to students but I’m learning as well. Everyday I learn, like the importance of cultural awareness and sensitivity and the Japanese language.

I’m so thankful for all the things I experienced. This job helped me so much to get outside of my comfort zone. I used to be so shy in talking infront of many people but now I can say that I grow in so many ways and this is all because of the great support I received from Interac and my colleagues. From the time I started teaching in Japan up to this day, they are always there ready to assist and help me.

I already experienced doing emcees in our school events like English days and any english related events. The trainings, online meetings, online resources and support from my company made by job easier.

If you are looking to get your start in Japan, this is a good option. Even with little teaching and Japanese language experience, you can work for Interac and build your skills over time. I've met many wonderful people through this job, and I'm very happy with the school I was assigned. Sometimes it is luck of the draw with your school placements, as there is a wide range of experiences amongst ALTs. Overall, Interac is a decent company to work for. But, I would be prepared to add a second job or find a new one after the first year, as the pay is quite low.

I’ve been with them for about 7 years and I do really enjoy teaching elementary students. My schools are pretty much close to where I live which is really nice. The staff are really helpful. Most of the lessons at schools are guided and the HRTs are supportive. You get to teach 5 to 6 classes a day and sometimes just 4. Some schools will ask you to eat lunch with kids but some don’t.

I do sometimes help with club activities and it’s always fun. Apart from teaching, some areas have unique school event such as English Village or English Day which is exciting as you get to interact with other ALTs in the area and do fun and short lessons together.

Having a family here in Japan makes this job ideal for me. My regular work schedule is from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM on weekdays. This routine allows me to manage household chores and spend quality time with my family. We also have vacations in the summer, winter, and fall. These extended breaks help me recharge, enabling me to return to work feeling refreshed.

I have had wonderful experiences as an ALT (Assistant Language Teacher). The kids are a joy to teach. Sometimes, they can become overly excited or rowdy in class, but managing the students is not too difficult since I am team-teaching with a Japanese teacher. While there have been challenges, this job is undoubtedly rewarding and fulfilling.

Besides teaching English, I actively participated in school clubs and events. I also engaged in activities outside my schools, such as cultural exchange programs and camps. In these events, I had the opportunity to represent my country, explore Japanese traditions and culture, meet university students from various countries, and many more. These experiences added fun and excitement to my journey as an ALT.

Why Interac?
I’ve been with Interac for several years now, and everything has been great! They provide great resources, including detailed lesson plans, job training, and even Japanese language courses that we can utilize in our work. Furthermore, they also make an effort to host social gatherings for ALTs and staff, which is a great way to connect and have fun together.

The management team is very professional, yet they are also friendly and supportive. Although I only see some of them during training sessions and class observations, they are always just an email or a phone call away whenever I have questions or need assistance.

I had a keen interest in visiting Japan as early as my third year of high school, in Jamaica. In May of 2019, my dream of being in the “Land of the Rising Sun” came through. Upon commencing a two-week training session, prior to my first day in the classroom, I was very fortunate to be assigned to the Kitakyushu branch, in Fukuoka. It has been a very rich and memorable experience for me. I am most grateful for the warm reception and support that I have received throughout my tenure there. In addition, the overwhelming support from all the schools and local communities that I have taught and worked in, is a special gift that I had never expected. I was able to gain valuable experiences as an Assistant Language Teacher of English and learnt from everyone. The positive interactions with the students and encouraging feedback from the teachers have been quite memorable and useful.

Just before arriving in Japan, I only knew how to say few expressions, such as: “Hello!” and “How are you?”, in Japanese. Without a doubt, I knew that in order to have a rewarding experience whilst in Japan, I had to have a good grasp of the language. I was very surprised to learn that it has four writing systems, namely: Kanji, Hiragana, Katakana, and Romaji. Also, there are two different ways to read Kanji: On’yomi and Kun’yomi. For me, this was simply incredible. Inevitably, I had to study hard to acquire a solid foundation of the language. I tried my best not to worry about making mistakes, because there can be no true progress without the passage of failure. I am very humbled to say that I have been successful in a being a Japanese Speech Contest finalist, in 2022; and passing the intermediary level (N4) Japanese Language Proficiency Test, recently. Moreover, there is a popular saying among the local people that I have embraced a lot: “Fall seven times, rise on the eighth!”

Two of my favorite hobbies are athletics and hiking. Interestingly, I never dreamt that I would become a member of an athletic club in my hometown, in Iwakuni city, Japan. I was introduced to the team by one of its members, by a mere miracle, or, at best by fate. The track club comprises of awe-inspiring members who have been pivotal to the many positive experiences that I have had and will always cherish. I shared with them my favorite saying, and they even adopted it as the team’s motto: "Teamwork, Makes the Dream Work."

I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to live and work in this beautiful country; study Japanese, raise a beautiful family, and enjoy running and go hiking with treasured friends. I am very enthused and thankful to say that my fulfilled dream of visiting Japan has given birth to priceless memories for a lifetime.

At first, it was both intimidating and nerve-wracking to be placed in a school where I was the only foreigner. However, Interac West provided unwavering support throughout the entire process, from initial training and housing arrangements to providing valuable information about living in Japan. Working with Interac has greatly facilitated my experience, as the staff have consistently been helpful and accommodating. Over the course of five years with the company, I have had the privilege of working in kindergartens, elementary schools, and junior high schools. These experiences have allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the Japanese educational system. I thoroughly enjoy collaborating with dedicated and hardworking teachers, as well as interacting with a diverse range of students. Additionally, Interac has provided me with the unique opportunity to work in Japan and experience its rich culture firsthand. Reflecting on my journey, I am truly grateful for the courage I found to step beyond my comfort zone and embrace the challenges of this new world, allowing me to fully appreciate all the wonderful aspects this country has to offer.

The adjustment stage is both exciting and scary, especially if it’s your first time and everything seems foreign. Believe that it’s just the beginning, and along the way, you will be fine. Some people find it easy to make friends and build rapport with Japanese people, even if they don’t speak Japanese fluently. However, I still believe that having the ability to speak Japanese makes life easier. Aside from that, being observant of how they do things, respecting Japanese culture, and knowing their manners in the workplace and in public will make you more appreciated and respected in return.

Working for my current company has been an interesting and challenging experience, especially as I adjusted to a new work environment in a foreign country. The Japanese staff and people at the Hiroshima branch provided much-needed support, which helped make the transition more manageable.

That said, my first few years were filled with hurdles, and let’s just say my teaching skills were a work in progress. Being an ALT is far more than just saying, "Repeat after me" or "Write this down." I occasionally confused my students (and myself) and faced my fair share of awkward silences. However, with time, perseverance, and guidance from colleagues, I found my footing—and even managed to get a few laughs along the way.

One of the more helpful aspects of my experience has been the support provided by the office and the Japanese support staff. Their willingness to assist and answer questions helped me gradually adapt to teaching and working with Japanese teachers. They ensured that I understood my responsibilities and provided useful feedback to help me improve my teaching methods and interactions with students.

Beyond the workplace, the Hiroshima staff also extended their support to daily life in Japan. From taking public transportation (without ending up in the wrong city) to understanding local customs, their assistance helped ease some of the challenges of settling into a new country. They also offered guidance on essential services such as setting up a bank account, accessing healthcare, and finding suitable accommodation, which made the transition into Japanese society a little smoother.

While there have been ups and downs, my experience in Japan has been an opportunity for growth and adaptation. The learning curve was steep, but over time, I have gained valuable skills and insights that have shaped my professional and personal journey.