Job Discussion Forums

[tokyorabbit]

Hi,

I know there are a lot of ALT positions available for the new schoolyear (beginning in April). Are there any positions available starting in the fall (September, October, November)?

I am currently in Japan, but have missed the April school year start up. Specifically, I am interested in Interac. Recently, I checked their webpage and it looks like they are hiring for positions in the summer, but nothing is mentioned about fall hiring. Do ALT companies hire year round?

Any help really appreciated.

[bearcat]

[fluffyhamster]

I got hired by Interac in January last year (a little later than you're asking, but still), due to a teacher on JET having suddenly had to return home (Interac bidded for and won the contract). There was nothing undesirable about the school where I was taking over - the English teachers were fine and the other staff even more pleasant, and compared to the job I switched to that April (see my "whinger" thread), it was like heaven (easy money, if just a little boring teaching-wise).

Of course, there may be some positions where the teacher really did quit for a reason (so caution may be needed), but generally the main problem that I can see with this sort of contract is that there's no guarantee that the contract will be extended beyond the end of the academic year (April, or, in the case of takeovers from JET, late July), although with large companies like Interac and W5, they are bound to have something else for you (presuming you prove yourself) from April if the contract they had doesn't get renewed for whatever reason (e.g funding cutbacks and/or being outbidded etc).

I'd suggest you send something to Interac anyway, even if you can't start in the summer - if they like you at the interview I'm sure they'll try to find something suitable for you from around the fall. BTW were the summer positions they advertised only for the summer, or are you actually now unable to start before the fall? Maybe if you worked for them even for a short while over the summer they'd be even more willing to find you more work from the fall...

[mandrake]

Tokyorabbit,

There are positions available around fall time coming up. I know a few teachers returning home after the summer vacation. Not for any bad reasons either. I live down in Nagoya though so it may not be helpful for you.

If you are interested you can PM me with any specific questions about Interac.

[JimDunlop2]

Simply put, many ALT positions start in September... Specifically the ones that "act like" the JET program. Their regular year runs from September, which is the start of school after summer break, all the way through the new school year that begins in April, finishing in about the second or third week in July when students break for summer again.

Now, whether or not you will be able to secure such a position if you take a temporary one that expires in July, is purely anyone's guess.

Good luck though.

[ozziebeef]

Just give it a shot.
I worked for Interac it is a better than average ALT company.
They do have some positions in the JET style rotation, and many ALT's leave so you have a good chance.
Just because somebody else had a bad experience doesnt mean you will have one too.
Best bet is too apply now or as positions become available.
OB

[tokyorabbit]

Thanks for all the replies. They have been very helpful.