Job Discussion Forums

luckbox · Joined: 18 Mar 2006 Posts: 180

I want to know more about the darker side of this dispatch company, so if you have a story to tell about INTERAC, let's hear it. Conversely, if you have nothing but glowing reviews for INTERAC, let's hear it.

I wanna know how this company stacks up against other ALT dispatch firms in Japan, such as ALTIA - of which I hear consistently good reviews.

Khyron · Joined: 10 Mar 2006 Posts: 291 Location: Tokyo Metro City

All dispatch companies are evil. They steal money from both the teacher and the school. Pure evil.

Teachers should be able to directly work for most schools, not for some stupid middleman. The only reason that they exist is for robbery. I refuse to go through one.

[email protected] · Joined: 22 Apr 2004 Posts: 67

I agree that teachers should be employed directly by the school boards, but to call all dispatch companies evil and say they steal from teachers and school boards is just plain silly. Dispatch companies are just doing work that the school boards have decided they would rather outsource than do themselves.

You are barking up the wrong tree.

Seeker of truth · Joined: 01 Sep 2005 Posts: 146

Here's an oldie but goodie:

http://www.letsjapan.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=10

yamanote senbei · Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Posts: 435

luckyloser700 · Joined: 24 Mar 2006 Posts: 308 Location: Japan

Interac ALT work is simple. If you don't do elementary school lessons, for the most part, you're a human tape recorder; The JTE uses you as he or she sees fit, no matter how much the board of education wants you to play a large part in classroom activities. An Interac ALT teaches (if you want to call it teaching), on average, 3-4 of these lessons per day. You work from 8-5 (most people knock off earlier than 5) and there's little direct supervision. It's a great job with a lot of freedom. It's ideal for someone who doesn't have ambitions to become the world's greatest ESL instructor; one who just wants to enjoy Japan and have a fairly stress-free job. Compare that to Nova or one of the other big Eikaiwa gakkou companies and it's a great deal. Nova works you like a dog and has odd hours. Plus, when public schools are not in session, ALT's don't have to work and are paid for that time (except during winter break which is 70% of normal pay). Of course, JET is a better deal than Interac when you consider salary and accomodations, but you can't blame a board of education for selecting the lowest bidder when all ALT's, no matter who they're employed by, are basically the same.

Willy_In_Japan · Joined: 20 Jul 2004 Posts: 329

greatteacherterry · Joined: 20 Feb 2006 Posts: 38 Location: Yokosuka, Japan

Wow!
[quote]Of course, JET is a better deal than Interac when you consider salary and accomodations, but you can't blame a board of education for selecting the lowest bidder when all ALT's, no matter who they're employed by, are basically the same.[/quote]

When the ALT from Interac connot speak English very well or his or her native language is not English and this person went to an English speaking country to learn English then comes to Japan to teach as a native speaker for Interac. Or the person is from some South American country, moves to Canada changes his or her passport to a Canadaian passport then joins the JET program as a Canadian...

I'm not sure if you fall into either of these groups but people in these groups are frauds in my book!

The Interac ALT I work with comes to me with questions all of the time... "I be the one to ask you a question Mr Terry."
"First off my name is Terry. Terry isn't my family name. Secondly quit using the "be" verb as if it is the only choice... am, is and are need to be used not only "be"!!!!"

ALTs and JETs are are not all the same!

Terry