Is Teaching English Abroad Hard? We Asked Our ALTs

Teaching English abroad can be a life-changing experience, but it isn’t always easy.

If you’re considering applying for a job teaching overseas, it’s good to know the problems you might face. From homesickness and culture shock to navigating a new school system, adjusting to a new country can be one of the hardest (but most rewarding) experiences of your life.

At Interac, we asked some of our Assistant Language Teachers in Japan what they wished they’d known before moving here, along with what helped them get through challenges and thrive.

TLDR: Teaching abroad is hard, but worth it

Living and working abroad can be a huge change to your daily routine. You’re adapting to a new country, learning a new language, all while finding your place in the world as a new teacher.

But just because it’s hard, doesn’t mean it’s bad! For many of our ALTs, it’s a chance to grow.

“When I first moved to Japan to teach English, I thought I’d made a huge mistake. I missed home and felt like I didn’t know what I was doing. After a few weeks and supportive conversations with my head teacher, I felt much more confident and started making friends – I’m so glad I stuck it out!” – Zhara, Interac ALT from Australia

 

Developing new skills and overcoming challenges is exactly what makes the experience meaningful for many teachers. Let’s look at some difficult things you might experience.

9 challenges of teaching English abroad

1. I’m struggling with culture shock

Even if you’ve always wanted to live abroad, the reality can be different to what you expected.

For example, watching anime does not prepare you for Japan! It’s normal to feel overwhelmed by the crowded and boisterous subway, or annoyed when you can’t find a trash can ANYWHERE.

And that’s before taking into account differences in communication styles and social norms.

“I didn’t expect the internal struggle to be so real. One week, I loved everything about Japan, and the next, I felt exhausted by it. It took time to realize this was a normal part of adjusting.”

 

Taking time to research and understand the culture will help you feel less like an alien.

2. I’ve never taught children before

If you haven’t worked with children before, teaching a class of them can be tough. You’ll have to quickly familiarize yourself with classroom management skills and adapt to difficult behavior.

Some students will ignore you, be noisy and talk over you, or not want to speak English to you.

Being a teacher involves a lot of work, both during the school day and planning in between. Interac provides a training program to help give you the best start as a new teacher in Japan.

“As a teacher, I learned many teaching strategies that can make a difference even in America. Going through the training made me feel less overwhelmed about teaching in Japan.” – Dennis, Interac ALT from the US

 

It helps to be adaptable, ask for support, and not take setbacks in the classroom to heart.

3. There’s a huge language barrier

Moving to a country where you’re not fluent in the local language can feel isolating.

Even when you’re here to teach English in a school, you’ll have a hard time understanding and being understood by teachers, officials and local people unless you know some key phrases.

Don’t expect to get by with Google Translate, or for everyone else to speak English to you.

Our ALTs found it much easier to adjust to culture shock and relate to colleagues if they already knew some Japanese. With free apps like Duolingo and Babbel, it’s easier than ever to learn.

Even learning how to count, or the days of the week, or how to introduce yourself, makes a big difference once you are in Japan.

“At first, I panicked every time I had to speak Japanese. But being surrounded by teachers and students every day helped me get in the right mindset, and people appreciated me trying!” – Dennis, Interac ALT from the US

 

Of course, you don’t need to know the language perfectly, but it will make things much easier if you know a little.

4. Making new friends is hard for me

Building a social circle in a new country can be daunting, especially if you’re more introverted. However, the more chances you take to socialize, the more new friends you’re likely to make.

Here are some ways to cross paths with new people when you’re teaching English abroad.

• Join meetup groups of other English-speaking foreigners in your area
• Attend all the networking and training events you can with other teachers
• Explore community events and volunteer to attend after-school activities
• Got a hobby? Join a choir, sports team or manga club (we won’t judge)
• Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself at work, or ask how you can help

“At first, I thought I would struggle to make friends, but most people come to the ALT programs alone, so everyone is in the same boat when it comes to making friends. I made friends when signing up to Interac on the training; they were sent to a different part of Japan in the mountains, but it was easy to get to, and they taught me how to ski! It was a really cool experience!” Abby, Interac ALT from the UK.

 

In Japan, work culture often extends beyond the working day – say yes to that karaoke night with your colleagues, just don’t go overboard with the sake! Even if you don’t make friends in your school straight away, you’ll have plenty of time to explore at weekends and find your people.

5. I miss my life and friends back home

There’s not much we can do about missing your life and friends back home. It’s just really hard.

Missing the comfort of your favorite places, friends, and family can all affect your mood over time. It can also feel extra difficult when life changes back home – you won’t always feel caught up.

“When I visited home between teaching in Japan, part of me didn’t want to go back. I felt sad and nostalgic, especially when I missed my mum’s birthday. Thinking about my long-term goals and my new ALT friends in Japan helped a lot. My family were able to come and visit me during my school break, and I was able to show them my new way of life in Japan and realised how much I loved it! ” – Katy, Interac ALT from the USA

 

You don’t need to let go of your old life, but building a new one can help with homesickness.

At Interac, we help you settle into accommodation in Japan. It helps to decorate your apartment with things that give you stability and keep you grounded, such as reminders of your interests.

6. The school and staff aren’t a good fit

Teaching abroad is deeply impacted by your surrounding environment. Some English teachers find they don’t connect with their colleagues, the school culture, or the students themselves.

A job teaching in busy Tokyo might have a very different vibe from a school in rural Japan.

“One year, I worked with a co-teacher who became a real mentor to me. The next year, my co-teacher changed and wasn’t as close. It was a challenge, but you can’t be everyone’s cup of tea!” – Katy, Interac ALT from the USA

 

If you don’t gel with your school (or one colleague is driving you crazy), you’re not stuck. At Interac, the team will do its best to work with you and give you advice on how to deal with the situation professionally.

You can always reach out to your company – and to other teachers – if you’re feeling unsure.

7. It’s my first time living on my own

Some of our ALTs are fresh from university, and moving abroad can be a steep learning curve.

Not only are you in a country where everything’s different, but you’re living on your own for the first time. It’s important to be prepared for life abroad and to be as self-sufficient as you can:

• Learn how to make a monthly budget and stick to typical breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Research your area, including local shops, doctors, and public facilities
• Emergency? Make sure you have the office’s number and a phrasebook ready
• We can’t recommend it enough – knowing the language a little really helps!

It’s essential to go abroad with enough money to keep you going until your first paycheck.

“My first couple of months in Japan were tight, but once my budget settled, I found I could live comfortably and still travel! Once I found my stride, I really enjoyed my independence. One school break, I went to Osaka with some other ALTs, and we really enjoyed exploring the traditional Japanese architecture.” – James, Interac ALT from the UK

 

If you’re considering becoming an ALT, here are some tips for budgeting in Japan.

You can also find convenience stores or ‘konbini’ all over Japan, which combine groceries with many other functions, like copying and printing, buying tickets for events, and sending packages.

8. There’s so much paperwork here

From applying for a visa to proving your qualifications, moving to work abroad can be stressful.

It’s vital to research how things are done in the country you’re moving to. Can most things be done online? Or do you need to sort things out in person? Again, knowing the language helps.

“The paperwork nearly defeated me. Everything had a form, a stamp, and a multiple-stage process I didn’t understand. But Japan’s system is slow because it’s thorough. Working for a well-known company like Interac helped, as they take hundreds of applicants each year, so this definitely helped speed up the process.” – Malachai, Interac ALT from the UK

 

Keeping important documents (and photocopies of them) somewhere safe is essential.

Japan is famous for its bureaucracy – there are forms to fill out for banking, residency and more. You may be shocked by how much is done on paper (or how fax machines are still popular in some businesses).

Interac can help you with the process of getting a Work Visa for teaching English in Japan.

9. I can’t get the healthcare I need

When you move abroad, it may come as a surprise when you can’t get your prescription.

Some medications aren’t available in other countries, or you’ll need permission to bring them with you. Check the rules and regulations of where you want to teach before committing to a role.

“I’m from the UK, so moving from the free NHS to paid healthcare in Japan felt strange to me. Attitudes to mental health and neurodiversity in Japan are also different from back home.” – James, Interac ALT from the UK

 

Check out our blogs on healthcare in Japan, including conditions where you might struggle.

Make sure you understand how the system works in Japan if you have a serious condition like Crohn’s Disease/IBS, Sickle Cell Anaemia, or any kind of psychiatric disorder (including ADHD).

So, is teaching English abroad hard?

Yes, teaching English abroad can be hard, but you’re here because you’re looking for a challenge.

How difficult it is for you will depend on factors such as your cultural adaptability, your ability to cope with change and stress, and your motivation to live and work abroad.

You might find you don’t struggle at all, or there may be times when you need support.

“I thought it would be difficult teaching English in a new country, especially one where I didn’t know the language. But the people that I met when working there were really helpful and understanding. They helped me to settle into the new school environment, and I soon found confidence and really enjoyed the experience of working as an ALT in Japan. I have some great stories of living there and would definitely recommend it.” – Zhara, Interac ALT from Australia

 

By being prepared for common challenges abroad, you’re more likely to overcome them and use them to become more confident and build your skills as a teacher. Plus, you’re not alone!

How Interac supports you through the hard parts

At Interac, we understand how challenging it can be to move abroad to teach.

Many of our recruitment and training staff started as ALTs (Assistant Language Teachers) themselves, so they can advise and reassure you through common tough experiences.

• We help you get an Instructor visa, guiding you through the application process
• We help you find suitable accommodation in Japan, usually a comfortable apartment
• We equip you with a training program and lesson plans to get you classroom-ready
• We give you ongoing support, a community, and career progression opportunities

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