Interac Reviews

Pros

Great pay for the work. The branch I was at had excellent support for their ALTs. They helped you get an apartment, drivers license (if needed), set up a bank account, and etc. All of the the kids were wonderful to teach. Was a great experience overall!

Cons

Everything was great for me. No cons!

Pros

A chance you'll be at a loving school with a great community and ability to experience Japanese culture.

Cons

A chance you'll be at a school where you're treated as a human tape recorder and may not get along well with students. Expect low pay and staff that treat you like you're 5 years old. Also, you could get sent to the middle of nowhere.

Pros

Interac makes it very easy to enter Japan and get set up there. The job is a great way to familiarize yourself with Japanese culture and basic legal structure (visas, etc). Working with the students is a highly rewarding experience and in a smaller town you will really feel embedded in your community. The company hires people from all over the world, so you will meet peers from many different countries and cultures.

Cons

Interac’s salary is very low, and opportunity for growth is severely limited. Although you will work with your schools much more closely than with interac, the company expects you to comply with their wishes over the school’s and will go over your head any time they contact the school. Interac is a good entry point into Japan but I would recommend using your free time to skill up and look for a better job within a year or two.

Pros

Lots of free time to pursue other skills.

Cons

Pay could be better, but likely will not increase.

Pros

The managers and employees in the Hamamatsu branch do their best to help you for the most part. They were usually quite prompt with their responses and I got no trouble from them during my time working for Interac.

Cons

Very mediocre pay with a huge lack of opportunities to get raises. While it's enough to live and go out here and there, you are much better off getting a direct placement job or working for JET.

Pros

-gets you into japan -handles housing, banking and car stuff (although this is also a negative) -has a great community of alts, meet lots of people -independent contractors hired to help show you around town and move are usually very kind and helpful -opens door for better jobs

Cons

-Management is horrendous -It's a total crapshoot where you'll live and work, and they will move you at the last minute, and sometimes snatch you out of your school out of nowhere -There is no transparency or consistency with wages, get paid differently every month -Misogyny in upper management is gross, hit on young female employees -Will always take the schools side, would never advocate for their employees -horrible about taking sick days, even call and pressure you to come in with your government allowed menstrual leave -will not get paid overtime -after training, they put the standout alts in the worst schools in the district. So act incompetent at training 👍 -they are basically the walmart of alts -you could be in one great school, or 10 terrible schools -leopalace -pay is bad

Pros

-Easy way to get a visa in Japan -As of now, Japan is granting longer than a 1 year visa after your first year in Japan -Interac helps set up, home, bank accounts, phone, and adjusting life in Japan -Lots of free time to explore Japan. Free Summers and 2-3 weeks of winter vacation -Japan has randomly holidays where you get days off in between the week. -Interaction with other English speaking teachers. ( To share in each other's plight)

Cons

-Pay isn't very good, definitely save your first year since it's not taxed as much -The staff I worked with was very unorganized and or gave last minute arrangements for schools or events. -Too much micromanaging for the smallest mishaps at school (seems that's the Japanese ways) -No to little pay raise -Unnecessary assessment tests given, which hold no merit other than to make the company look good -Had no incentive plan or options to learn the Japanese language -Depending on placement, you may be isolated from other English teachers

Pros

Trains new Assistant English Language Teachers (ALT) who are teaching English for the first time or have experience. Super patient and always helpful! Always tries to help and accommodate foreign teachers in Japan. Supplies resources and trainers to each area.

Cons

Have lots of resources so it can be overwhelming overwhelming look through for lessons.

Pros

Can switch between branches Can quit easily

Cons

Ever felt like your company thought your life was extremely disposable during a pandemic? Didn't even bother to help us employees get vaccines. Also completely violated the Labor Laws in Japan.

Pros

Work/Time balance is relatively good

Cons

The salary is low comparable to other jobs in the same industry