Location
  • Japan
    • Tokyo
    • Osaka
    • Fukuoka
    • Sapporo
    • 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
Oct 30, 2022
Mar 01, 2023
134 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Interac teachers enrich the lives of thousands of school and children in Japan every year by delivering interactive and exciting English lessons. Commonly known as ALTs, which stands for assistant language teacher, Interac’s instructors, enrich children’s lives by sharing their knowledge of English and communication skills and giving insights into other cultures.

As an ALT at Interac, you will work in nursery school, elementary, junior high, and high schools throughout Japan. These are our clients. Your job is two-fold: language instructor and cultural ambassador. These two aspects are inseparable, and you, as a successful Interac ALT, will become an expert in both.

You can expect to teach classes on your own, with a Japanese teacher present to help manage the classroom. Although there are variety of Japanese schools, you can reasonably expect to teach in at least two. The company also provides training programs to support those without experience as an English teacher.

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 Company 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 Company 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 West Company 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!

Current Teaching Jobs

View the latest teaching job postings by Interac Japan.

Program Reviews

4.30 Rating
based on 43 reviews
  • 5 rating 46.51%
  • 4 rating 46.51%
  • 3 rating 2.33%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 4.65%
  • Benefits 4
  • Support 4.5
  • Fun 4.2
  • Facilities 4.3
  • Safety 4.65
Showing 1 - 8 of 43 reviews
Default avatar
Bill
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A true life and work balance and an enriching experience

I have been working for Interac for the past year, and my experience has been remarkable. The human-centered management style enables a greater sense of trust and teamwork within the company. The support is outstanding, whatever the issue at hand.

For me, after our baby was born, my wife and I decided to take a step back from the daily career hustle. At the same time, I was pursuing my PhD and wanted to focus on my research. My recruiter understood my needs, and I was matched with the right school. Working at Interac allowed me to focus on the well-being of our new addition, spend much-appreciated time with my family, do research, and still make a decent living with a contributing job. I have been welcomed and embraced by the community since joining my current school. The working hours are set solidly, which means one can always have the rest of the afternoon to pursue whatever side hustle/hobby/exploration one fancies. Weekends are off, and there is a nice, long summer vacation, not to mention Golden Weeks and other frequent national holidays. This is truly precious for me in this new chapter of my life. I plan to work for Interac for a long time.

Pros
  • Outstanding support
  • work life balance
  • There's no better way to immerse yourself in a true Japanese culture
Cons
  • There is always cons if we choose to focus on them. For me , with the recent inflation a pay increase would help giving the eroding value
1 person found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Richard
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A very pleasant company

I've been working with Interac for a few years now. The company has always treated me quite fairly and they've always been helpful with the few issues that pop up with being a foreigner in a foreign land. When you need them, the support staff can help you resolve issues almost immediately. Working with the students is one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. You have one job and that's to make English fun. This can be particularly difficult at times, especially with the big exams for schools that pop up. You want students to see English as a game, something fun to do between their history and math classes. I think the most important thing is to love English itself. English is such a funny language and we have so many fun little expressions that can really liven up the experience for students. "I like dogs" vs "I like dog" and the like can really make students perk up.

Pros
  • Working with students is fun
  • Interac doesn't intrude on your day-to-day
  • Japan is a wonderful country
Cons
  • Can be lonely at times
2 people found this review helpful.
Response from Interac Japan

Hey there!

I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed your time working with Interac.

It's always great to work for a company that treats you fairly and with respect. I completely agree with you on the joys of working with students. It's so rewarding to be able to teach them and help them learn in a fun and engaging way.

I think you're right that the key to success is making English enjoyable, and I love your enthusiasm for the language itself. Keep up the great work and thanks for sharing your experience with us!

Cheers,

Interac Recruiting Team
Tokyo

PS: Love the pics! Looks like a great area!

Default avatar
Ayana
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My Experience with Interac Kanto South

I’ve been working with Interac for almost three years and my experience overall has been very positive. Moving to Japan in the height of the pandemic, not knowing the language and totally on my own, I was a little nervous and not sure what to expect. The staff helped me to transition seamlessly, helping me with housing, training, settling in and making sure I had everything I needed to get my job done.

I was placed in schools with very nice teachers and good facilities, and there was a plethora of material made available to me. Given that this was my first time teaching and interacting with students in this way, having everything available really made it easier for me to perform at my best.

The office staff really try hard to support teachers and they check in every now and then to see how you are doing. If you have issues they will try to deal with it as soon as possible. Whatever you may need, they’re only one email away.

While there have been challenges and ups and downs, overall I truly value my experience working with Interac. I am glad they were apart of my journey to Japan, and would encourage anyone to take that initial step with them as well.

Pros
  • Good working hours
  • Support and training provided
  • Advancement opportunities
Cons
  • Salary could be more
1 person found this review helpful.
Response from Interac Japan

Hi Ayana,

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

We're thrilled to have been a part of your journey to Japan, especially during a difficult time like the pandemic. It's great to hear that our staff was able to make your transition smooth and comfortable, and that you had access to all the necessary resources to excel in your teaching role.

We always strive to support our teachers and ensure they have everything they need to succeed. We appreciate your recommendation and wish you all the best in your future endeavors!

Interac Recruiting Team
Tokyo

Default avatar
Sarah
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An Educational Challenge!

This program is a fun way to grow social and professional skills! Honestly, I never thought I would have the confidence to talk to (let alone teach) so many strangers, but the more I took the leap, the easier it got to try new experiences.

Being completely new to the country, I felt I had the support I needed if I had questions for the company, and the teaching environment was perfect for honing relationship skills, even without adequate Japanese language proficiency.

English is a rapidly growing subject in all Japanese schools, so staying on your toes and being flexible is very important. At the end of the day, my Japanese coworkers are always grateful and lovely, no matter how our joint lessons went. It's reassuring to know that everyone is learning and growing together. And the kids are so much fun! English time is full of games and songs, so your reputation for fun proceeds you wherever you go.

I feel like I've grown more capable of handling unknown situations and coming into new ones with self confidence. Try this program if you want to see what you're capable of, and grow to the next level for your dream career.

Pros
  • Team teaching
  • Supportive network
  • Games and fun
Cons
  • Nerve-wracking at times
  • Pay is so-so
1 person found this review helpful.
Response from Interac Japan

Hi Sarah,

Hey there! Thanks for sharing your amazing experience with our program.

It's great to know that Interac has helped you gain confidence and social skills, especially in a new country. We're happy to have supported you throughout your journey and created a fun and welcoming teaching environment.

It's important to be flexible and stay on your toes in the rapidly growing field of English education in Japan, and we're proud to have helped you grow more capable. Keep pushing yourself to try new experiences and achieve your dream career.

Thanks for recommending us and all the best!

Interac Recruiting Team
Tokyo

Default avatar
Alan
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A good fit for me

I was placed in a very rural part of Japan. While it's not the most "exciting" place, I have very much enjoyed the slow pace of life and great nature during my soon-to-be three years here.

As for the company (Interac West), my experience has been overall good. They generally respect my time, and provide a lot of freedom both in and out of work, but also provide a lot of optional support. First settling in was a breeze, with thorough help with housing, car rental, setting up bills, taxes, and insurance, etc. Interac also provides a rather large amount of teaching resources and materials, though I personally almost always make my own. The only trouble I've really had is with mistakes made by the (in my opinion understaffed) scheduling team, but even then I'd consider them moderate inconveniences.

Regarding pay, I'm single but I don't imagine it'd be easy to raise a family, especially in a city. There's also virtually no pay progression if you want to stay a teacher (like me) rather than moving up into more managerial roles, assuming you can. That said, my rural town is rather cheap living, and I'm single, so I have no issues living within my paycheck and can save some.

Overall I'd say being an ALT with Interac isn't the best for long-term, "career" teaching, but can be a great way to have an adventure or a stepping stone into office positions or other work in Japan.

Default avatar
Alan
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A good fit for me

I was placed in a very rural part of Japan. While it's not the most "exciting" place, I have very much enjoyed the slow pace of life and great nature during my soon-to-be three years here.

As for the company (Interac West), my experience has been overall good. They generally respect my time, and provide a lot of freedom both in and out of work, but also provide a lot of optional support. First settling in was a breeze, with thorough help with housing, car rental, setting up bills, taxes, and insurance, etc. Interac also provides a rather large amount of teaching resources and materials, though I personally almost always make my own. The only trouble I've really had is with mistakes made by the (in my opinion understaffed) scheduling team, but even then I'd consider them moderate inconveniences.

Regarding pay, I'm single but I don't imagine it'd be easy to raise a family, especially in a city. There's also virtually no pay progression if you want to stay a teacher (like me) rather than moving up into more managerial roles, assuming you can. That said, my rural town is rather cheap living, and I'm single, so I have no issues living within my paycheck and can save some.

Overall I'd say being an ALT with Interac isn't the best for long-term, "career" teaching, but can be a great way to have an adventure or a stepping stone into office positions or other work in Japan.

1 person found this review helpful.
Response from Interac Japan

Dear Alan,

Thank you for taking the time to write about your experience as an ALT with Interac West. We appreciate your feedback and are glad to hear that you have enjoyed your time in Japan and appreciated the slow pace of life and beautiful nature in your rural town.

We are also happy to hear that our company has provided you with a positive overall experience. We understand the importance of settling in smoothly, and we're pleased that our team was able to assist you with housing, car rental, bills, taxes, and insurance. Additionally, we're glad to hear that you found our teaching resources and materials helpful, even if you preferred to make your own.

We apologize for any inconvenience you experienced due to mistakes made by our scheduling team. We appreciate your feedback on pay progression and will take this into consideration.

Thank you for considering Interac as a great way to have an adventure or as a stepping stone into other positions in Japan. We're glad to have been a part of your journey and wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

Best regards,
Interac Recruiting Team
Tokyo

Default avatar
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!
4 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

Default avatar
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.
3 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

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...