The Complete Guide to Teaching as an ALT with Interac in Japan

Japan has always been one of the top places where teachers can go to teach English with a company like Interac. Aside from the good salary, teachers have the opportunity to experience the unique culture of the country. People go to Japan to experience how Western modernity has blended well with Eastern traditions.

Japan is also among the oldest civilizations in the world. Visitors can look forward to visiting one of the thousands of temples and Zen gardens in the country. Moreover, the natural beauty of the country will also leave visitors in awe at the way the Japanese were able to preserve it even with the modern conveniences available in the cities.

At this point, you may already be looking for an English teaching company in Japan. Well, you don’t waste your time since we did the work for you to help you decide if teaching in Japan is the right option for you. You can try exploring the possibility of working with Interac in Japan.

What is Interac ALT Japan?

Interac is the biggest provider of foreign teachers to the government of Japan. Established in 1972, the company provides assistant language teachers (ALT) to different elementary, junior high school, and high schools all over Japan.

In addition to schools, Interac has also provided professional English teachers to different government and commercial organizations in Japan. The company was initially a provider of training programs to major companies in Japan. These programs consisted of intercultural understanding programs and English language learning programs. In the 1990s, the company became a private ALT provider for the Japanese government.

This is unlike many other teachers in Japan who work at private institutes known as Eikaiwas.

Interac ALT Job Description

ALTs work with Japanese teachers inside the classroom to ensure the efficient presentation of the assigned English curriculum of the school. This means ALTs may have to do the following:

• Prepare worksheets
• Model how English words are read and pronounced
• Demonstrate target language dialogues

ALTs are also requested to review and comment on the home and other written work of the students. They may also conduct one-on-one or even group progress assessments from time-to-time.

But ALTs are more than just simple language teachers. Aside from sharing their knowledge of the English language and English communication skills, they are also cultural ambassadors. They will share their background and culture while teaching the English language. This means the students will also learn about the culture of ALTs while improving their English skills.

Requirements for Interac Japan Teachers

Most Interac teachers come from North America since the company requires its teachers to be native-level English speakers. The company has other requirements for its teachers.

The following are the requirements Interac has for its English teachers:

• Native-level English speaker
• Received education taught in English for a minimum of 12 years
• Bachelor’s degree or above from an accredited university
• Under 60 years of age
• Team player who is flexible, energetic, cheerful, and professional
• Mentally prepared to work and live abroad

Increase your Chance of Getting Accepted if you Have the Following…

Teachers will also have better chances of acceptance into the ALT program if they have the following:

• Driver’s license holder
• Teaching experience
• Teaching certificates or qualifications, such as TEFL, CELTA, and DELTA
• Studied a second language while at the university
• Can speak basic Japanese

ALTs who come from abroad should go through a company-paid health check once they arrive in Japan. The health check is also done annually for ALTs who come from other countries and Japan.

Drug screenings are also conducted regularly since Interac wants to maintain a drug-free workplace. Random drug testing is also conducted and ALTs are required to pledge that they will not possess or take substances that violate Japanese law.

Even as Interac hires teachers the whole year round, most of the teachers are assigned to Japanese schools in time for the Spring and Fall terms. The initial assignment of Interac teachers will be the rural areas, but they may be able to transfer to the city after one or two years.

Expectations for Japan ALTs

Once you become an assistant language teacher for Interac, you are expected to do the following:

• Comply with all the laws of Japan and all the processes associated with the implementation of these laws
• Comply with the spirit and letter of the values and ethics of Interac
• Uphold good behavior and character within and outside of the school

There are high social expectations for teachers in Japan, including ALTs. Due to this, ALTs are expected to be role models for their students inside and outside the school. This means they should exude exemplary character even when they aren’t teaching.

Salary of Interac Teachers

ALTs receive a gross annual salary of around 2.4 million ($23,000 USD) to 2.7 million yen ($26,000 USD). The teachers can expect to receive their salary in equal monthly payments. This makes it one of the highest-paying English teaching jobs in Asia.

Since the first and last months of the ALT in the contract are not full-teaching months, their salary will be adjusted accordingly.

The salary of ALTs is deposited into the bank accounts on the 20th of the following month. But if the 20th day falls on a weekend or a national holiday, they ALTs can expect it to be deposited on the preceding business day,

The first salary is normally deposited around six t eight weeks after the start of the contract of the ALTs. Due to this, teachers should have at least 500,000 yen ($4,800 USD) at the start to cover rent and living expenses for the first month until they receive their salary.

Travel expenses of ALTs that are related to their work are reimbursed every month by Interac. It is included in their monthly salary. ALTs teaching in rural areas can lease a car. The cost of leasing the car is offset through an allowance provided by the company.

Interac Contracts and Taxes

The contracts of ALTs usually run for a year and will normally start on April 1 and end on March 31 in the following year. While Interac automatically deducts national taxes and employment insurance from the salary of the teachers, health insurance and local residence taxes aren’t deducted.

Everyone living in Japan should enroll in a health insurance program approved by the Japanese government. More often, ALTs are enrolled in the National Health Insurance (NHI) of Japan and they’ll have to make the necessary payments.

Residence taxes are paid to the municipality the ALT lives in. It’s required if you’re going to live in Japan for at least one year and is collected on the 1st of January.

Benefits

Interac offers some benefits for its ALTs. These benefits include:

• Reimbursement of work-related commuting expenses after being assigned to a school in Japan
• Free beginner’s level Japanese course upon arrival to Japan
• Career Navigation Program (CNP) of Interac provides ALTs with the tools to enhance their skills. It also provides ALTs opportunities to advance their careers within the company. They can aim for different positions, including Head Teacher, Trainer, Management Trainer, and Managing Consultant.
• ALTs can also tap the sister company of Interac, Link Japan Careers for other career opportunities in Japan.
• Paid two-week holiday leave for Christmas and New Year
• Five personal days after 90 days of continuous employment

Application Process for the Interac Program

The application process to become an assistant language teacher (ALT) for Interac is as follows:

1. Online application submission – your application is routed to a recruiter handling your area. The recruiter will screen the resume and contact you if you pass the initial screening.
2. Phone interview – after passing the initial screening, you’ll go through a phone interview. You should promptly respond to voicemails or follow-up emails. If you’re unresponsive despite several attempts, your application is abandoned.
3. Seminar attendance and/or online interview – if you pass the phone interview, you’ll receive an invitation to attend a seminar or an online interview depending on your location. You will receive all the details about the seminar or interview ahead of time to allow you to prepare for it. You’ll also receive a list of documents to submit to Interac.
4. Sending of a package containing the required documents – After passing the seminar or interview, all your documents are sent to the Global Resource Management Division of Interac in Tokyo. The head office will assess your documents and related materials before deciding to send you an offer.
5. Acceptance of employment offer – if your application is successful, you’ll receive a written employment offer from the company.
6. Placement – at this point, the company will start processing your visa, which takes up to eight weeks. You’ll also be placed in the regular placement track or the alternate track, and you’ll receive details about your arrival in Japan.
7. Initial orientation and training – upon your arrival to Japan, you’ll go through an initial orientation and training to prepare you for your classes.

Two Recruitment Tracks for Interac Japan

ALTs go through one of two recruitment tracks of Interac. These tracks are as follows:

• Regular Track – ALTs are informed of their placement at least a month before they arrive in Japan. These are typically for ALTs who arrive before the start of the Spring term in March or the start of the Fall term in August. The ALTs will go through the initial orientation and training immediately after they arrive in Japan.
• Alternate Track – ALTs are not informed of their placement when they arrive in Japan. ALTs in this track should expect some time to pass between their arrival and the initial orientation and training. ALTs will stay in temporary accommodations on a full salary. They’ll also be asked to perform short teaching assignments before their final placement.

Work Schedule for an Interac ALT

ALTs follow the schedule of the school they are assigned to. But generally, the schedule is as follows:

• Weekdays from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Teaching hours are typically three to five classes per day at 45 minutes per class

Interac ALT FAQs

There are a number of common questions that people have about this company. Find out the answers you need to know right here.

Is Interac Japan Legit?

Interac Japan is a legit company that has been around since 1972. They provide foreign teachers to the Japanese government through the ALT program.

What is an ALT Interac?

An ALT interact is also known as an assistant language teacher. They work in elementary, middle or high schools in Japan. Many teachers are assigned to at least two schools and may only see each group of students once or twice a month.

Is it easy to get into Interac?

It’s relatively easy to get into Interac, especially compared to the more competitive JET program. On the upside, the job has low hours and is quite fun. However, the salary is also low compared to other English teaching jobs in Japan.

What is the salary of an ALT in Japan?

The salary of an ALT in Japan is between 200,000 and 250,000 Yen per month. Some schools hire teachers through JET or Interac, while others hire directly.

JET vs Interac: Which One is Better?

If you’re considering becoming an ALT (assistant language teacher) in Japan, then the two main options are JET and Interac. Here are the pros and cons of each one.

Working Life

With Jet, your working life and schedule will largely be up to your co-teachers and how enjoyable your job is can largely depend on your relationship with them. It can be quite difficult to say no to requests from the school, no matter how unreasonable.

However, Interac acts as a buffer between the teacher and the school. This can lead to a more organized schedule, more structured lessons and also help to prevent unreasonable requests.

Ambassador vs Teacher

With Jet, teachers are considered to be more cultural ambassadors than language teachers. This is reflected in what you’ll be doing on a day-to-day basis.

Interac markets their teachers as actual teachers which can make it a better place for serious teaching professionals.

In the Classroom

With the JET program, the hierarchy is clear—the native English teacher is there to only assist the Japanese teacher. This can lead to the ALT becoming like a human tape recorder in some cases.

With Interac, the ALT teaches their portion of the class alone, with the Japanese teacher just there to assist with discipline.

Application Process

The application process with Jet takes a significant amount of time and requires a significant amount of paperwork. It’s also quite rare to be placed in bigger cities.

With Interac, it’s possible to get jobs in bigger cities and the application process is significantly shorter.

Salary

If you want to be an ALT, then the JET program pays the best salary, by far. Interact doesn’t even come close.

The Takeaway on Interac

Even as the ALT of Interac offers a smaller salary than the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) program of the Japanese government, the application process is easier and faster. Moreover, the ALT program allows English teachers to explore areas in Japan that aren’t normally included by tourist guides. So, the program gives native English speakers the chance to explore Japan while getting paid for it.

What’s it Like Teaching English with Interac?

Teaching with Interac in Japan can provide a unique and rewarding experience for educators. Interac is a private company that dispatches English teachers to various schools and educational institutions throughout Japan. Here are some aspects of teaching with Interac that you may find relevant:

Placement

Interac typically assigns teachers to work in public schools, private schools, or English conversation schools (eikaiwas) across Japan. The specific location can vary, ranging from rural areas to major cities.

Teaching Responsibilities

As an Interac teacher, your main responsibility is to assist in English language education. You may work alongside Japanese teachers to plan and deliver lessons, lead conversation activities, provide pronunciation guidance, and engage students in interactive learning experiences. The age range of your students can vary widely, from elementary to high school level.

Cultural Immersion

Teaching with Interac offers an excellent opportunity to immerse yourself in Japanese culture and society. You’ll have the chance to build relationships with Japanese colleagues, experience local customs, and gain insight into the education system.

Language Requirements

While prior knowledge of the Japanese language is not always a requirement, it can certainly be beneficial in navigating daily life and building connections with students and colleagues. English is the primary language used for instruction in most teaching settings.

Work Schedule

The work schedule with Interac can vary depending on your placement. Typically, teachers work Monday through Friday during regular school hours. However, there may be occasional events or activities outside of these hours, such as school festivals or extracurricular programs.

Support and Training

Interac generally provides training and ongoing support to its teachers. Initial training covers teaching techniques, classroom management, and cultural orientation. Additionally, there are often opportunities for professional development and networking within the Interac community.

Living Arrangements and Compensation

Interac assists teachers in finding accommodation, which can vary from private apartments to shared housing. Compensation is typically competitive and includes a monthly salary, health insurance, and other benefits. However, specific details may vary based on factors such as location and experience.

Have your Say about Teaching ESL In Japan with Interac

What are your thoughts about teaching English in Japan with this company? Is it a winner, or is there another one that you’re considering? If you are open to other job opportunities, consider teaching English online to Japanese students. Leave a comment below and let us know what you think. We’d love to hear from you.

Also, be sure to give this article a share on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter. It’ll help other busy English teachers, like yourself find this useful resource.

Oh, and want to know more about teaching in one of the most exotic locations in Asia? Check this out: Teaching English in Okinawa.