Job Discussion Forums

[kenwyne]

I'm set to head out to Japan in 6 weeks for an ALT position for Interac. I don't really know what to expect from this company because they are rarely mentioned on this forum.

I also have an interview for AEON, but they seem to be getting bad press on these pages. So I'm in two minds what to do.

I've taught abroad before and I realise that the company you work for can be the difference between having a great time or looking for a new school.

Any information would be greatly apprecaited.

[chirp]

kenwyne,

You've accepted the position. My advice is to make the best of your time in Japan. People will have both positive and negative experiences with all companies.

Since Interac is a dispatch company, you may find that your experience is influenced more by your placement location, Board of Education and Japanese English teachers.

I wish you luck and hope that your experience surpasses what you expected.

Incidentally, a search for "Interac" returned 287 topic matches...

P.S. Take everything you read here with a grain of salt.

[fluffyhamster]

I worked for Interac for about a term, and would say that they are one of the better dispatchers around. They provide a reasonable induction and training, and are prompt and honest regarding payment (if you hear that they pay late, that is probably garbled grapevinese for pay a month behind e.g. you'd get April's pay at the end of May, after having worked for two months, because of the indirect nature of the employment with the BOE, the slow processing of timesheets etc). I don't know what their policy is regarding payment for school breaks, or paid leave (I didn't work for them long enough), but if I recall correctly, they are not as stingy as some other dispatchers. Health insurance was with a private non-Japanese cheapo scheme, better than nothing, assuming it would be acceptable to every hospital here.

I only left them because there had been a bit of a mix-up over keeping the departing AET's accommodation, and Interac seemed to assume that I would be happy continuing to live in a dirty "gaijinhouse" forever (I wasn't, and wangled my own apartment near a job elsewhere). In some respects, I wish I had stayed with them (they always have plenty of work to offer, it seems!).

[southofreality]

[worldwide_soul]

I currently work for Interac and have never had any problems. It may depend on where you are going to be located - I deal with the Hitachi branch (which is the head office for the north end of Honshu) and they are fantastic. They provide a lot of support if you need it, are prompt at returning phone calls or processing anything that needs to be done, and in general leave you alone except for the occasional phone call or if you need anything (and I mean anything), you can call them for help.
As a previous poster wrote, it really will depend mostly on your board of education and school(s) in terms of what the working conditions are, although of course there are some things that remain the same due to your being employed by Interac, not by the board of education.
Holiday time is great with Interac. I've read a lot of complaints from people that Interac employees don't receive full pay for the months of August and December, however I will gladly take a 65% paycheck for the month of December (and full pay for January) when I had from December 20th until January 20th off work.
My mind is blank as to what else to say right now, but if you have any more specific questions, I'd be happy to give you my take on things. It really is difficult though as, of course, each location and situation is different.

[worldwide_soul]

One other thing: If you are trying to decide whether to work for Interac or for Aeon, it should be a simple decision of whether you are looking to work in public schools (mostly either elementary or junior high) as an ALT, or whether you want to work in a private eikaiwa. They are both, from what I've seen and heard, reputable companies so I don't think there's much of a concern there, I think it is simply deciding which job you would prefer.

[degolasse]

Sorry it took me so long to notice this post but I guess a late response is better than nothing.
I currently work for Interac. I agree with most of what has been said already - For the most part, Interac leaves you alone to do your thing at your school and you will only hear from them when there is some paperwork to take care of - missing monthly paysheets, car info, contracts etc... I believe I've only spoken to someone from Interac once since Christmas. In that regard, they are a great company to work for, because essentially you don't work for them, you work for the school that you are at everyday.
So really, your experience with Interac will be based on the posting that you get. You could get stuck in a great school and love your time there, or you could get stuck in a crap school and want to leave. It's luck of the draw really.
In my experience, Interac has proven themselves to be incredibly disorganized, not particularly helpful, have very little training, and have promised a number of things that were never delivered quite as they were said. When I do have to deal with them its usually quite frustrating. However, for the reasons I've mentioned above, this for the most part has not effected my stay in Japan. I rarely talk to Interac, I love my town, and I love my schools. I have full intentions of signing a new contract with them in March and unless something happens at my schools, I'll probably stay with Interac for the foreseeable future.

So if you want to be an ALT rather than a conversation teacher, then just go with Interac and make the best of it. As mentioned before, if you choose AEON you won't be choosing a different company, you'll be choosing a different job.

[nanoripe]

I got a position with Interac and am going in August. Keep us posted about how you find things! Good luck, im sure you'll have a good time!

[poohbear]

[jon_manjiro]

Hi Ken,

I am a long term resident of Japan and I would like to warn you about
this insidious co. Intersac. This co. was founded by missionaries from
a big business/corporate church in Utah US. Can you guess which one?

In short, this co. is infamous for abusing teachers and lowering standards
in schools throughout Nippon.

Please look into this outfit further. There are many dark stories about them.

They paint a rosy picture for newcomers to Japan, but they do not deliver.
I chllallenge you to find anyone who has worked for Inter.. for say 3 years or more. I don't think you can. The co. loves to financially
(RAPE ) newbies ( VIRGINS ) and move on to the next victim. The
turnover rate is obscene !

Ques: Did they tell you to bring $5000 to Japan for start up costs?
They will loan it to you, to lure you into the trap.

This co. is the largest ALT outsourcing co. in Japan and it is outrageous!
The government will be looking in their operation , the same as they did
NOVA but the govt in Japan is Laize faire (sp!) .Still, The co. will soon be in the news.
Sorry to be alarmist ..but if you see a child in the street and a semi is speeding towards them ...what would you do? I bet you would shout too.

thx jon manjiro

[flyer]

jon manjiro

have you worked for them? your post seems very different to the other posts

maybe you are confused with another company?

[worldwide_soul]

He is speaking of Interac but it seems as if he's spouting the much exaggerated \ rare cases.
I'm not going to comment on most of the post as it's a bit much, but this:

"Ques: Did they tell you to bring $5000 to Japan for start up costs?
They will loan it to you, to lure you into the trap."

I'm not sure I understand. Any newcomer (well most anyways) needs to have a fairly large sum of cash for start-up costs due to Japan's key money system (and, obviously, household products, etc. that need to be bought when moving to another country). Interac does not tell you to bring $5000, I believe the suggested amount was somewhere around 150000 yen, or maybe a bit more. There is a system in place where they can loan you money for your key money, but I'm not sure how this is a way to "lure you into the trap".
Please explain.

[fluffyhamster]

I am not sure that there is a direct correlation between low wages and "lower standards" (lower standards from who, or of what, exactly?). The reality is that there are still quite a few perfectly competent AETs who are experienced, at least TEFL-certified, fluent in Japanese etc etc (more, or rather different things than e.g. a state-qualified/international schools teacher could initially offer, especially in the context of the rather limiting Japanese school system as opposed to say, that of Hong Kong, with its NETs, seemingly greater call for English etc), and some may be prepared to continue working for the lower wages whilst still doing at least as good a job as they did before. But I would agree that it would be best if the middle-men (dispatchers) were cut out and only the cream of the available AETs hired directly by BOEs, for correspondingly higher pay and benefits (there might then be a shortage if the bar were set too high, however! Less qualified applicants should simply be paid less).

If the assistance with housing seems insufficient, it may be possible to rough it a bit (e.g. in "gaijin houses" and the like) and get set up more cheaply (and definitely nearer your future place of work):
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?p=511419#511419

[ripslyme]

[fluffyhamster]

I agree that anyone with an MA would be crazy to apply for that position before first trying for universities, then direct-hire private high schools, then similar but better-paying jobs etc, but even if the pay was increased, would the position necessarily need somebody with an MA? (And would perfectly acceptable AETs without an MA in whatever position say no to more pay either!). Low pay makes it difficult for one to survive long-term in Japan, to keep performing unaffected, but in the short-term, I don't see how pay really makes one a better teacher/teach better (unless it really is all being put towards qualifications that will eventually absolve the teacher of any immediate there-and-then thinking and creativity) - why couldn't a good teacher bear a lean year as well if not better than a lesser teacher? That being said, I don't believe in charity, at least not for such an ostensibly developed country, and minimums in terms of qualifications and wages should be set for even the "lowliest" AET. Some (bad) AETs would not want this, nor possibly many dispatchers, but probably it would be the BOEs who would care least for it - anything to "save money".