Enrich Your Teaching Career & Discover the Spirit of Japan

Over the past decade, I have had the privilege of serving as an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) in Japan, partnering with Interac to contribute to the vibrant tapestry of education in this remarkable country. As I reflect on my journey, I am humbled by the countless experiences, lessons, and connections that have enriched both my professional and personal growth.

From my very first day in the classroom, I embraced a commitment to excellence that has guided my interactions with students, colleagues, and the community. With a passion for language learning and cultural exchange, I have striven to create dynamic and engaging lessons that inspire curiosity and foster confidence in English communication.

As an ALT, I recognize the invaluable role of cultural exchange in promoting mutual understanding and global citizenship. Through collaborative projects, cultural presentations, and interactive activities, I have challenged myself to bridge the gap between Japanese and English-speaking communities, fostering empathy, respect, and appreciation for diversity.

Central to my approach as an ALT is the belief in the potential of every student to succeed. By tailoring lessons to accommodate diverse learning styles and abilities, I have encouraged students to discover their strengths, overcome challenges, and achieve their academic and personal goals. Whether through language proficiency exams, speech contests, or international exchanges, witnessing the growth and achievement of my students has been profoundly rewarding.

Collaborative Partnerships:
My experience as an ALT has been characterized by collaborative partnerships with fellow educators, administrators, and the community. Through communication, teamwork, and a shared commitment to student success, I have tried to keep a supportive and inclusive learning environment where innovation thrives and every voice is valued.

As I reflect on the past decade, I am proud of the impact Interac and I have made in the lives of students, schools, and communities across Japan. From fostering English proficiency to promoting cultural understanding, our partnership has contributed to the enrichment of education and the cultivation of global citizens.

As I embark on the next chapter of my journey, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunities, friendships, and memories that have defined my time as an ALT in Japan. With unwavering dedication and a passion for transformative education, I am eager to continue inspiring future generations of learners and ambassadors of cross-cultural understanding.

In conclusion, my time as an Assistant Language Teacher in Japan has been a transformative journey of growth, learning, and empowerment. Through collaboration, dedication, and a shared commitment to excellence, I am confident that Interac will continue to attract and nurture talented educators who are eager to make a meaningful impact in the classrooms of Japan. Join us in shaping the future of education and fostering global citizenship – the adventure awaits!

Was paired in a location that fit my needs perfectly. My teachers, schools and the staff at Interac has been incredibly helpful and welcoming and if there any issues, it is usually addressed really quickly. The job has a lot of fun moments and it's nice to be involved with the local community and enjoy many of the activities that it brings. I learnt a lot about Japanese culture and by extension a unique culture to even most Japanese people. I was able to do interesting activities like sumo, hiking and partake in a lot of local events unique to the islands.

Being an assistant language teacher (ALT), in Japan, has been the most rewarding job of my life. Everyday, I come into work greeted by good energy and happy faces, to do a fun job. Kids are hilarious and I enjoy working with them.

I love living in Japan; everywhere you go, it's clean and safe. I also love how old tradition is blended with new technology, making a culture that is both ancient and modern, traditional and progressive. There's nothing like it.

If you like living in different cultures, if you like sharing your own with others, if you want to work with kids but don't want to deal with discipling them or parental stuff then this job is for you.

A wonderful experience in which a little hard work goes a long way to making a rewarding experience for yourself. Company does its utmost to set you up for success. All you need to do is seize the adventure for yourself.

I’ve been working here for six years, and I’m one of the younger employees. This experience was very helpful for me right out of school. Many teachers have come and discovered new lives for themselves here and elsewhere. Some people get the teaching bug and go back home to continue. Some move on to other countries. Some stay for a long time. I’m excited for my future here.

Working for Interac has been an enriching and fulfilling experience that I wouldn't trade for anything. Over the past three years, I've had the opportunity to delve into the vibrant culture of Japan while simultaneously growing both personally and professionally.

One of the most rewarding aspects of my time at Interac has been the diverse cultural experiences I've encountered. From participating in traditional festivals to immersing myself in local customs, each day brought new insights and appreciation for the rich tapestry of Japanese culture.

Beyond cultural immersion, Interac has provided an exceptional level of support, both in living and working in Japan. Whether it was navigating the complexities of paperwork or finding the perfect accommodation, the company's unwavering assistance ensured a smooth transition and enabled me to focus on making the most of my experience abroad.

Moreover, the camaraderie among colleagues has been invaluable. Through collaborative projects and team-building activities, I've forged meaningful connections and made lifelong friends. The supportive and inclusive work environment fostered by Interac has truly enhanced my overall experience.

As I reflect on my time with Interac, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunities it has afforded me. The invaluable skills I've acquired and the memories I've created are treasures that I will carry with me for years to come.

Looking ahead, I am excited about the prospect of continuing my journey with Interac. With a company culture that values growth, diversity, and innovation, I am eager to contribute my skills and expertise while furthering my professional development.

In conclusion, working for Interac has been nothing short of remarkable. From the enriching cultural experiences to the unwavering support provided by the company, I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a dynamic and rewarding organization. Here's to many more years of growth and success with Interac.

As someone who has worked as both an ALT with Interac and previously elsewhere as an English teacher at a private cram school, I have found some great points about working through Interac.

First, Interac does a great job of offering support for living in Japan to the amount needed by the ALT. There are many guides and helpful staff members that are available for reference on everything from paperwork at city hall to classroom management.
For someone like me who has already settled in Japan before working for the company, Interac is also great at letting me handle my own life. The company is always there to help, but is flexible enough to allow for autonomy.

Most of the day-to-day work that goes on can differ greatly depending on the board of education and schools that an ALT is assigned to. Although this can mean that the resources available and level of prep needed at each school can vary, Interac provides a depth of lesson plans and guides that assist with putting together a good lesson.
Meeting the needs of the school and students comes first, but the way in which you approach your lessons can be done in a way that utilizes your strengths. This opportunity for creativity in lesson planning keeps the job fresh and allows for continued adjustments from year to year.

One of the greatest strengths of an ALT teaching position is that you work directly in a school. If you are interested in experiencing Japanese culture, this provides great immersion for trying many foods through school lunches as well as experience in Japanese formal ceremonies such as graduation. Japanese language experience is not required for the job, but if you are interested in learning or improving, being able to talk to other school staff is a great opportunity to both share your native culture and learn about the local area.

In addition, the scheduling for Interac is very friendly to traveling and exploring your town. Working for schools provides a standard Monday through Friday work week with daylight left in the day when finished. This is a huge contrast to working at an English language cram school, where days start and end very late to accommodate students that attend school during the day.
A standard yearly school schedule also includes summer and winter vacations, which typically have some work days and training days. These days are paid labor, so they are nice to keep monthly income from being too irregular.
Interac has always been extremely nice and encouraging about taking planned vacations and using sick days. I never feel pressured when planning things on my own, and staff is always cooperative when advanced notice is given, or during sudden emergencies that require absence.

Currently, I live near the beach in Wakayama, Japan, and it's such a beautiful area, especially during spring and fall. There are many natural areas you can walk around and enjoy hiking, so if you enjoy nature then you will likely have a fun time. Also I enjoy learning Japanese culture at schools during the year, including attending some interesting events. Sometimes you can also join club activities or lead an English speaking club. The enjoyment can really vary depending on placement and where you are, and sometimes teachers get placed in poor conditions. For me, I like being in charge of lessons at a high school, but some people are put in elementary schools and feel like they aren't as important. You should enjoy teaching for this job if you want a good experience and really engage with the culture. It's also important to make friends and ensure you have some good groups to spend time with, because you will feel very lonely at times without a good group. Overall, this year has been very enjoyable, and I will be continuing this position for another year or two, but beyond that I would probably not recommend.

It was a great year to be honest and I was able to get out of my comfort zone as I became T1 for the schools that I am taught. For the most part, there were adjustments but I was able to overcome challenges with the help of the HRTs and JTEs making the classes fun and very interesting. I just do hope that I will be able to continue teaching with the schools that I am with this year for continuity purposes and consistency/relationships to students and teachers. I guess with this in mind, I would love to be a part of the schools that I am assigned with as the comfortability is also a great factor but nevertheless, to SUM it ALL UP, the SCHOOL YEAR WAS A BLAST.