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

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.

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.

As someone who has been working as an ALT (Assistant Language Teacher) for three years, I can honestly say it has been a rewarding and transformative experience. When I first started, I was understandably scared because it was a completely new environment for me. However, from the moment I joined, Interac provided incredible support that made the transition much smoother.

Interac’s guidance is outstanding. They walked me through every step of the way, answering all my questions and providing assistance whenever needed. What I appreciated the most is that their staff were always available to help, even going above and beyond their working hours to accommodate me. This kind of support really made me feel like I was never alone in this journey.

I absolutely love my role as an ALT. It has allowed me to grow both as a person and as a teacher. Not only have I learned so much about Japan’s culture and educational system, but I have also had the privilege of sharing my own culture with my students. The opportunity to create connections with students and see them grow has been incredibly fulfilling.

Being an ALT is a unique and enriching experience, and I am grateful to be part of a supportive organization like Interac that encourages growth and offers continued guidance.

Traveling abroad is an illuminating experience, but often a shallow one. Vacationers see only a glimpse of a nation's culture - one that is frequently distorted to appeal directly to them. Interac provides a chance for fuller engagement with a different land.

I had visited Japan years before, but I applied to Interac in hopes of seeing more of the nation than tourists typically experience. Through the program, I've been able to learn what it's like to live and work in the nation. I've met new people, learned new things, and have deeply enjoyed the chance to help students learn English.

Interac provides vital assistance in living in the country, especially for those with limited knowledge of the Japanese language. They help with housing and transportation, and teach some of the necessary basics for daily life.

Teaching with Interac has been an awesome experience, and I'd definitely recommend it to others!

I really appreciate being in this position. It is wonderful to be working full time and exploring the Japanese culture at the same time. In the school, I am very fulfilled to see the progress my students make on their own. I enjoy being part of their journey in learning the English language. I am also very grateful for all of the support from the company. They helped me establish my career as an educator in Japan. On top of that, they made sure I am well guided from settling at my actually placement to securing my Japanese driver's license.

Working for Interac has been great, especially having non-existent Japanese language skills. I am especially impressed with their "Life Support", dedicated members of staff who will help you with anything that you don't know how to accomplish. Whether you are trying to find which bus to take to Fuji-san, or don't know how how to pay an overdue gas bill, the Life Support team will help you with step-by-step instructions. It makes living in Japan way easier than most programs who don't offer this.

Living away from your home country is a big leap of faith. ALTs share the same struggles relocating in Japan: language barrier, homesickness, culture difference and the like. Indeed, these may cause some to falter and eventually give up. However, there is no such job as rewarding as being an ALT. Sharing your culture and your langauge to Japanese students bring so much joy to me. And that is LIFE. Life without joy is no life at all. Having fun and sharing happines to my students make me a proud ALT of Interac.