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

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

Location
  • Japan
    • Tokyo
    • Osaka
    • Fukuoka
    • Sapporo
    • Nagoya
    • Okinawa
    • Nagoya
Length
52+ weeks
Classroom Audience
Early Childhood Pre-School Middle School High School

Program Details

Classroom Audience
Early Childhood Pre-School Middle School High School
Housing
Apartment
Age Min.
20
Age Max
60

Pricing

Salary / Benefits
Your experience in Japan will set you apart from your peers. When you teach in Japan, you will find that there is much more to be gained than a regular paycheck. In fact, your experience will shape your future by providing you valuable career experience, experience living in a different culture, and the lifestyle of freedom and growth you have been waiting for. As an Interac ALT, you will most likely receive a gross annual salary of approximately ¥2.4 – ¥3.0 million Japanese Yen per year.
Price Details
There is no charge to apply to Interac.
What's Included
Activities Visa
What's Not Included
Accommodation Airfare Meals
Apr 06, 2026
Apr 08, 2026
244 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Interac teachers have the chance to make a big impact on students in Japan by teaching fun and engaging English lessons. Known as ALTs (Assistant Language Teachers), they teach English and also share their own culture with students.

As an ALT with Interac, you'll work at schools from kindergarten to high school all over Japan. Your job is two parts: teaching English and showing students a bit of your culture. These two roles go together, and by doing both, you’ll become skilled at teaching and sharing your culture.

Interac has full support for your set-up in Japan, all you have to do is get to Japan, we do the hard parts. We'll arrange housing, insurance, utilities, and get you started with your schools. We also have intensive online and in-person training to get you ready for the classroom.

Teaching in Japan is a life-changing experience. If you're ready to go in a whole new direction and experience things you didn't think possible before, Interac is waiting for you.

COMMUNITY REVIEWS SUMMARY

Reviews highlight strong support and thorough training easing the transition to life and teaching in Japan, with helpful staff and a welcoming community.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Start things off right with an intensive (paid!) initial training and orientation session.
  • Work Mondays to Fridays with scheduled teaching hours between 8 am and 5 pm.
  • Attend on-going skills development and training programs.
  • Become an important part of your school and local community.
  • Take advantage of Interac’s Staff Preparation Program (SPP) and build portable skills you can leverage in the classroom or take with you into a potential staff position like recruiter, head teacher, trainer, or even office staff.

Popular Programs

Wide, open Hokkaido

Interac North is in charge of the Hokkaido and Tohoku area which is the largest area of Japan in terms of land mass. The kind of person who typically comes to Interac North has a more self-sufficient outlook on their time in Japan, compared to other areas. They are looking to get a “real Japan” experience for several years.

See Mt. Fuji!

Interac Kanto North covers the area known as the “Kanto-Koushinetsu” region, which is a large span of prefectures to the north and west of Tokyo, the nation’s capital. In this part of the country, there are many hidden towns and an abundance of nature, including hot springs, mountains with upper slopes famous for skiing, and many other delights for you to discover.

Active Yokohama

Interac Kanto South is centrally located in Yokohama, the largest city in Kanagawa Prefecture. Just out of the Tokyo metropolis, Kanagawa is a metropolitan prefecture. Everything is only minutes away from the city centre by train, making it the perfect place to start your teaching career in Japan.

Full of Tradition

Interac Kansai & South Central covers a large part of the central region, based in Nagoya with offices in Hamamatsu and Osaka. There are a wide range of placements and school styles for teachers in Osaka, with many positions being in rural areas or suburbs. The kind of ALT we are looking for within the Kansai area is a teacher who will be looking to get involved in the local community and isn’t just requiring a ‘day job’.

World Heritage

The Interac West area is one of the largest across Interac. It encompasses 16 prefectures ranging from Hiroshima to Fukuoka, including Saga and Okayama. This means there is a huge variety of activities and places to visit for anyone looking to teach English in Fukuoka or further!

Program Reviews

4.43 Rating
based on 173 reviews
  • 5 rating 47.98%
  • 4 rating 49.71%
  • 3 rating 1.16%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 1.16%
  • Benefits 3.8
  • Support 4.55
  • Fun 4.25
  • Facilities 4.35
  • Safety 4.85
Showing 137 - 144 of 173 reviews
Jarrett
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Live and Work in Japan

If you’ve always wanted to experience a piece of another culture, teaching for Interac is a great way to do so!

I have been working for Interac since 2020. I was already living in Japan, and they worked with me to allow me to keep living in the same city with my partner and have been very flexible in making my life work the way I have wanted and needed. Of course, if you can be flexible with where you live in Japan, it is much easier to be hired (and frankly, the potential to be more exciting exists too!)

From my own experiences, and those of the friends I’ve made, Interac offers a ton of assistance that makes getting by in Japan as easy as possible, even if you can’t speak Japanese. My branch even provides resources and training to help you with your career, whether that is continued with Interac, somewhere else in Japan, and of course even back home. This includes training sessions as a company, as well as things like discounts to Japanese language courses and lessons.

I do highly recommend studying in your spare time, as it’s a perfect opportunity to practice. Even better, everyone you work with will be VERY appreciative, and it definitely makes team teaching much easier.

I’ve taught at both a middle school and an elementary school, which are the most common places you can end up. The truth about the schools is that a lot will depend on the school itself, the teachers you work with, and of course on you. My experience has been entirely positive, full of students and teachers that were and are excited to work with me, but I have heard more than a few horror stories. In the end, if you yourself are someone who can go with the flow and improvise well, then you are probably ready for the majority of curve balls that may come your way!

Outside of school and work life, you will luckily have ample time for traveling, exploring wherever you live, and even participating in events around town or in classes or clubs.
Like dancing? Dance schools are often easy to find! Like to play an instrument? Also pretty common to find people to play with and places to practice (some for free, some with a fee, all depending on the place you live and what you’re doing). As with living anywhere, a lot of life outside of work is only as good as you make it, and if you are willing to put yourself out there often, you’re more likely to have a pretty good time.

Pros
  • Interac Staff are literally here to help you, with life and with teaching!
  • Able to participate in a wide variety of events and activities
  • Will work with you and whatever situation you need to get by if you are communicative (and of course, sometimes patient).
Cons
  • The pay could be better—It is enough to get by comfortably if you aren’t wasteful, just takes awareness and planning sometimes.
  • If the “teaching children thing” is specifically what you like and want to do, most of Interac’s career advancement opportunities involve climbing the corporate ladder, rather than being a teacher
  • While out of Interac’s control, this sort of work for many is temporary. Be ready to see many people come and go if you are here more than a year or two!
153 people found this review helpful.
Response from Interac Japan

Dear Jarrett,

Thank you for sharing your experience working with Interac in Japan. It's great to hear that you have had such a positive experience with the company and that they have been accommodating to your personal needs. Your description of the support and resources that Interac provides is impressive; the company values its employees' growth and development.

Your advice about being flexible and adaptable when teaching in a foreign country is valuable, and it's encouraging to hear that you've had the opportunity to teach in a variety of settings. It's also great to hear that there are plenty of opportunities to immerse oneself in Japanese culture outside of work.

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts, and I wish you all the best in your future endeavors with Interac!

Interac Recruiting Team
Tokyo

Quintoline
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My delightful experience working with Interac

I’m glad I got to work with my desired company. Working hours vary depending on the BOE. I enjoyed shorter working hours😊
It was a challenge adapting to longer working hours with change in BOE.
Having the staff assist me at the hospital, city office, documentation and getting an apartment has been so much relief for me.
It’s joyful knowing that I’m on holidays (summer/winter) yet get paid.
I was awarded an Instructor motivation certificate which made me realize that hard work doesn’t go unnoticed.

Pros
  • I got assistance with personal errands.
  • My teaching skills improved with provided training.
  • Guaranteed salary payment.
Cons
  • You receive same base salary irrespective of the hours input/workload.
  • You could be very idle in schools with less population.
  • Fewer friends to associate with.
148 people found this review helpful.
Response from Interac Japan

Dear Quintoline,

Thank you for sharing your experience with Interac. It's great to hear that you were able to work with us and enjoy the shorter working hours. It's good to know that you had staff to assist you with various tasks and make the transition smoother.

It's also great to hear that you were able to enjoy holidays and a stable income. Congratulations on being awarded an Instructor motivation certificate - your hard work and dedication to your job is truly appreciated!

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts, and we wish you continued success in your career with Interac.

Best,
Interac Recruiting Team
Tokyo

Linh Gooverseas
3/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Interac Japan 2023 Review

Interac has excellent support for its ALTs and employees, making it a great choice for foreigners who are new to Japan, or newly graduate who love teaching as a job. They are welcoming and accommodating, making it easy for newcoming to settle in. However, the pay rate could be improved. Despite the rising cost of living in the word, and in Japan, salaries do not seem to be increasing over time, which is discouraging.

Despite this, the company strong support system makes it a good choice for those looking to start a new life in Japan.

Pros
  • Great support from staffs
  • Life at school is enriching
  • Japan is a beautiful country
Cons
  • Enough salary to live but not enough to keep its employee from quitting after a few years
  • None rising salaries
  • Not enough opportunity for rising within
106 people found this review helpful.
Quintoline
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Interac

I have been working with Interac for over a year now and I'm glad to joined Interac. My experience has been a good one given that Interac stands out in terms of pay compared to other ALT dispatched companies.

107 people found this review helpful.
Response from Interac Japan

Dear Quintoline,

Thank you for sharing your positive experience with Interac. We are thrilled to hear that you are glad to have joined our team and that your experience has been a good one. We strive to provide competitive pay and are glad to hear that it stands out among other ALT dispatch companies.

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts, and we look forward to continuing to provide a positive working environment.

Best,
Interac Recruiting Team
Tokyo

Kijanni
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Alt

I came to Japan 4 years ago. Nervous and unaware of what to expect. I asked myself several times if I made the right choice. Those questions were answered immediately after my first interaction with the superb staff who helped me to transition smoothly(both with housing and school affairs). Even after 4 years they assist if an issue should arise.I have been assigned to several schools and they all have their subtle differences. Interac makes it easy for me to have a good work relationship with Japanese staff. I have had minor hiccups with some schools and they were resolved as quickly as possible. Thanks to the amazing team.
For the past two years the dynamics have changed though. The pandemic is upon us, instructors are “leaving” and that means I have to sub at random schools. The reception at these schools are usually good, however its a personal struggle sometimes to do these random subs. Apart from that ,everything is good . I say a 7/10

Pros
  • Helpful staff
  • Free weekends
  • Decent work hours
Cons
  • Stagnant salary
  • Little opportunity to meet up with coworkers
  • Random sub lessons
114 people found this review helpful.
Response from Interac Japan

Dear Kijanni,

Thank you for your positive feedback on your experience with Interac. We are delighted to hear that our superb staff helped you transition smoothly to life in Japan, and we are thrilled to have been able to provide you with a good work relationship with Japanese staff. We also appreciate your patience and understanding during the current pandemic, and we are here to support you as much as we can.

Thank you again for sharing your thoughts, and please let us know if there is anything we can do to make your experience with Interac even better.

Best,
Interac Recruiting Team
Tokyo

Daphne Pearl Alarcon
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Excellent ALT support

It was my first time to work abroad 5 years ago. I could still remember the anxiety caused by all the uncertainties for someone who is going to move to another country to live and work. I didn't know where to start or even get my head around how I could possibly survive the next few months in a nation where English is not their first language. Then, I came to Japan in March 2018. We were welcomed at the airport by the company staff, sent to a training in Narita for 5 days, and displaced to diffferent parts of Japan. I was fortunately to be placed in the Kita Kanto Branch where the support is fabulous. I was given assistance from getting an apartment, applying for a bank account, calling for a dental appointment, even tto simple translations like how to fill out a form in the immigration. I also can't help sharing how they got my then boyfriend, now my husband, to work in the same BOE 4 years ago after one year of being here. Of course, he also applied for the ALT position, and Interac let us work in the same city. For me, it was a comfort to know that the company gives value to family and relationships as long as we keep a good exchange of communication with the company.

If you're a person eyeing at an opportunity to land a job in Japan with zero knowledge about everything, Interac can provide just what you need to get your pace and slowly start living life more independently, although with some help from time to time from the branch. They are open to your queries and ready to help in just about anything for as much as they can. I just want take this opportunity to thank the Kita Kanto Branch for doing such a great job in providing the support that I need all these years to do my ALT job very well. Everyone in the branch worked so hard in making our stay in Japan more manageable.

Pros
  • Fabulous support especially for new ALTs
  • Communication line is great
  • Interac coordinators go an extra mile to help
Cons
  • Pay is okay but can be better
  • If the company loses the contract, you have to move to another city as well
  • Paid leaves are limited
121 people found this review helpful.
Response from Interac Japan

Dear Daphne,

Thank you so much for sharing your positive experience with Interac!

It's great to hear that you had a smooth transition and have been receiving fabulous support from the Kita Kanto Branch. The fact that they assisted you and your husband to work in the same city is really heartwarming. As a teacher, I appreciate the importance of family and relationships in our lives, and it's great to know that Interac values that as well.

Your testimonial is encouraging for those who are planning to work in Japan and are looking for a reliable and supportive company. Thank you for sharing!

All the best,
Interac Recruiting Team
Tokyo

PS: those are some great photos! Thanks for sharing!

Johanna Cristine
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Improve your skills while enjoying Japan

Working for Interac helped me learn new skills while giving me plenty of free time to explore Japan. They gave me sufficient training to prepare myself as an ALT from the beginning. We are also given various resources for teaching and improving ourselves.

Additionally, we have a lot of holidays to explore Japan. Within my first year, I visited Atami, Hakone, Yokohama, Kanazawa, Kamakura, and Karuizawa. Also, working with Japanese people gave me a closer look into Japanese culture. I highly recommend it.

110 people found this review helpful.
Response from Interac Japan

Dear Johanna,

Thank you so much for your wonderful review of Interac!

We're thrilled to hear that you had a positive experience working with us as an ALT. It's fantastic to hear that our training and resources helped prepare you for the job, and that you had plenty of free time to explore all that Japan has to offer.

We're glad that you enjoyed your travels and had the opportunity to learn more about Japanese culture. Thank you for recommending us to adventure travelers, city slickers, history buffs, photographers, solo travelers, and students.

We appreciate your feedback and hope to continue providing an excellent experience for our employees.

All the best,
Interac Recruiting Team
Tokyo

Bruce
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

How to Start an Amazing Life in Japan

I have been living in Japan for about seven years. Right off the bat, Interac has been amazing. Setting foot into a new country that I barely speak the language is something I thought I could never do, but as soon as I got in and met with the head teachers and staff, I knew then that I was in good hands. I looked at information online and read reviews on Glassdoor beforehand and most of them were positive enough that made my decision to move to Japan that easy. Looking back after seven years, and after meeting a number of other ALTs that came and went from other dispatch companies, Interac is by far one of the best, if not the best ALT dispatch company in existence. I live in an area that I love and the branch I work under is trying to pull all the strings just so I can stay and not move elsewhere because I love the area that I living in right now. The people are amazing! Interac considers the request of its employees and this is extremely rare nowadays. I have taught at three neighboring school districts and I am grateful that I did not have to move. Moving is part of the life of the educators in this country, I'm afraid.
One cannot even begin to imagine the other problems I have heard from other ALTs from other dispatch companies that I am extremely grateful I am with Interac. If you are reading this and is a prospective future ALT. This may sound like textbook marketing but, I implore you to click on that join us now button to learn more!

Pros - will help it's instructors settle in
- will never miss a paycheck
- will provide all the necessary training needed
- has resources online to aid in-class or self improvement
- will have someone personally checking in on its employees' well-being
- considers the employees requests as top priority

Cons - cant list any sorry

Pros
  • will help it's instructors settle in
  • will never miss a paycheck
  • will provide all the necessary training needed
119 people found this review helpful.
Response from Interac Japan

Hi Bruce,

Thank you for your fantastic review of Interac and for sharing your positive experience with us over the past seven years.

We're thrilled to hear that you have had a smooth transition into living in Japan and that our support and assistance has made it easier for you. It's wonderful to hear that you feel Interac is one of the best ALT dispatch companies and that you have found a community in the area that you love.

Your feedback about our commitment to our employees' well-being, the helpful training and resources, and our consideration of employee requests is much appreciated. We're glad that you would recommend Interac to prospective ALTs, and we look forward to continuing to provide a supportive and rewarding experience for all of our employees.

Thank you for your support!

Interac Recruiting Team
Tokyo

Questions & Answers

Hi Jodie, Thanks for your question. We do have positions occasionally in Nagasaki Prefecture, as well as other locations in Kyushu. We cannot promise a position exactly in Sasebo, since the placement situation is fluid each season, however if you choose to make an application and express a desire to be placed in or near the area, we will make an effort to find a position you'll be able to agree...

Hi John, Thanks for your question. We do not have tenure limits, so you are welcome to stay as long as you like. There is also a career system within Interac for advancement within our organization into administrative positions such as Head Teacher, Management Trainee, Trainer, and Managing Consultant. Regards, Interac Head Office Tokyo

Hi Belinda, We do not set a certain number of years of teaching experience as a requirement. Having teaching experience of any kind will definitely help you in the application process, but we have teachers without any previous experience who are excellent in class. We provide thorough initial training so you'll feel confident about standing in front of students. If you have any other questions...

Hi Belinda, The requirements to apply as an Interac ALT are: -Be a native-level speaker of English -Have received an education conducted in English for at least 12 years -Have at least a bachelor’s degree in any subject from an accredited university -Be a team-player that is professional, flexible, cheerful, and energetic -Be under 60 years of age We welcome people with teaching experience of any...