Career Progression for ALTs (Assistant Language Teachers)
Want to build a career in Japan? Advancement opportunities exist internally within Interac.
Every year, highly motivated teachers across Japan are tapped to fill internal positions in our branch offices and Tokyo headquarters, working to support our ALTs in various roles.
We value the dedication of our Assistant Language Teachers and offer career progression both locally and across the country:
- We’re committed to nurturing talent and supporting the career development of our English teachers
- Many of our ALTs have progressed into other rewarding jobs, making an impact beyond the classroom
- We offer a wide range of roles, from training and supporting our ALTs, to recruiting and marketing
Becoming an ALT is an amazing opportunity in its own right, and it can be the starting point for a career in or out of education.
What ALTs say about career progression
“I was honestly surprised by how much I loved teaching, and that love just kept growing the more I worked with students and connected with other ALTs. Now, I’m an Instructor Manager for the Sapporo Branch, but I also help with recruiting, sales, and creating training materials.”
- Kiana, Instructor Manager in Sapporo
“When I was searching for companies to join in order to come to Japan, Interac came up. What distinguished it the most from other companies was the career growth opportunities that existed, specifically the SPP.“
- Trevorra, Instructor Manager in Fukuoka
Internal career pathways at Interac
There are two types of roles, depending on whether you want to stay local or move to a nationwide position. In both routes, we look for impressive performance in your school, speaking JLPT N3 or equivalent (conversational) Japanese, and a strong affinity for our company values.
Local branch roles
If you’ve enjoyed teaching English in Japan and want to stay close to the community you’ve built, you can progress as a Head Teacher.
Head Teacher (HT)
In addition to regular ALT duties in your school, Head Teachers at Interac are expected to provide mentoring, support and take leadership roles in local community-building activities for other ALTs in their designated areas. They also provide updates on their progress and development to the Instructor Development Manager (IM).
Consulting Head Teacher (CHT)
As well as performing the duties of a Head Teacher above, Consulting Head Teachers are expected to observe classes, as well as instruct and train ALTs. They are also expected to assist in facilitating area meetings and developing teaching materials for ALTs under their purview.
Supervising Head Teacher (SHT)
In addition to performing Consulting Head Teacher duties, Supervising Head Teachers are expected to participate in a broader range of activities supporting branch and company initiatives. You’ll develop leadership skills through mentoring, training, and evaluating ALTs while gaining valuable experience in quality assurance.
CHTs and SHTs are paid an allowance above their ALT salary, depending on the nature of their duties and experience.
Is a Head Teacher role right for me?
These leadership positions develop your skills and take on greater responsibility while continuing to make an impact in schools.
A Head Teacher job may be ideal for you if you want to progress your career as an Assistant Language Teacher, while still doing what you love – teaching Japanese children in schools! You’ll support other teachers in your area, sharing your knowledge to help them grow.
- These roles require strong communication and interpersonal skills and are ideal if you love working with people
- You’ll need a passion for quality education, and the ability to guide and motivate new or nervous teachers
- Compared to national roles, you focus on monitoring a local area, rather than nationwide planning or operations
What ALTs say about being a Head Teacher
“I still get to enjoy teaching my own students at my own school, but now I also get to meet so many more students and help ensure they have a high-quality foreign language education. I have only been a CHT for a little over a year, but it has already been extremely rewarding and has increased my love for teaching immensely.”
- Darla, Consulting Head Teacher at Interac
Interested in becoming a Head Teacher with Interac?
Apply today as an ALT and start your teaching career with our support!
Nationwide roles
Want to progress into a more national role? We offer a range of management and operational careers, away from the classroom.
Instructor Development Manager (IM)
Instructor Development Managers are responsible for facilitating communication between the clients, office staff and teaching assistants. They are the direct supervisor of a branch’s instructors; in some branches, this can total more than 100 instructors.
- Responsibilities cover placement, teaching quality, providing support to instructors through observation, feedback and counseling, and overall instructor management. IMs also support their Interac branch to meet its business goals.
- IMs need to possess outstanding communication skills and the ability to multitask and respond to emergencies at any time. This could involve resolving conflicts, or finding replacements if an ALT is unwell. A flexible approach is essential.
Training focussed IM
Trainers are the first people that our ALTs meet after arriving in Japan, and their job is to bring new teachers up to speed and get them ready for the classroom. They also work on in-service training seminars, training for Japanese teachers, and curriculum development.
If you could be a friendly face for a foreigner in Japan, a job as a trainer is a rewarding way to progress your career with Interac.
Recruiter
Recruiters scout and source candidates from 24 countries, review and process documents, and interview candidates for ALT positions. They are responsible for every step of the hiring process from application to arrival. An ideal job to start a career in HR or recruitment!
Marketer
Marketers promote Interac to the labor market and attract candidates by using a variety of media tools and platforms worldwide.
What ALTs say about national roles
“In my time as an Instructor Development Manager, I’ve been in situations that I could not have possibly imagined in my time as an ALT. From training and mentoring ALTs to help them improve their overall performance, to working with Boards of Education and other clients to better realize their educational goals. Every day presents new challenges to overcome and new problems to solve.”
- Josh, Instructor Development Manager at Interac
“My experience as an ALT gave me a firsthand understanding of the challenges and rewards of the role. I channel that perspective into marketing efforts that resonate—whether that’s through visual storytelling, informative content, or answering the questions I once had myself.”
- Jayc, Marketing and Recruitment Consultant at Interac
Our Staff Preparation Programme
Interested in one of our national roles, or other Interac jobs outside of teaching? The Staff Preparation Program (SPP) is a one-year program designed to prepare talented individuals to succeed in a staff position within the Interac Group.
It includes management and operations training, as well as on-the-job training in various roles and responsibilities in divisions and branches across Japan. At the end of the program, final assignments are allocated depending on the individual’s aptitude and the Interac Group’s needs.
It requires at least two years of teaching experience with Interac or another service provider, with at least one of those years as an ALT with Interac. You will need to speak Japanese at JLPT N3 (or equivalent), which is important for having conversations with our staff.
What ALTs say about the Staff Preparation Program
“I always knew I wanted to grow into a leadership role, so I applied for both the Head Teacher position and the Staff Preparation Program. I passed both interviews, but chose the SPP to challenge myself and step out of my comfort zone. It was tough at first, especially not knowing much about the business side, but learning on the job and from my peers has been a rewarding experience.”
- Kiana, Instructor Manager in Sapporo
How do I get promoted as an ALT?
Internal promotions at Interac are based on a combination of performance, qualifications, and alignment with our values. Take a look at our tips for writing a standout cover letter and acing your Interview as an ALT for more tips on the application process at Interac.
Career progression requirements
- Experience teaching for at least one year, and an impressive record as an ALT in classes and schools for at least one year (total two years.)
- You should be a high-performing ALT, receiving lots of praise from your schools.
- Japanese ability at the JLPT N3 (conversational) or better level. You should be able to have conversations with teachers and office staff in Japanese.
- Sharing our company values and philosophy of education at a high level.
- Having a great personality and the ability to work with a wide range of teachers, staff, and school personnel.
The Application Process
- Application Submission: Include a cover letter, mission statement, and details of your teaching experience.
- Screening Process: Applications are reviewed internally, considering performance metrics and tenure. Approximately 60% pass the screening stage.
- First interview round with a Company Instructor Development Manager or (CIM).
- Second interview round with a Head Office Unit manager.
- Final interview round with an executive.
When to Apply
Internal positions open during a yearly application window. Interested candidates should apply through their branch.
What other jobs can Assistant Language Teachers do?
Love being an ALT? There are other education and teaching jobs in Japan. These include jobs in Japanese international schools, private schools, government schools and other teaching opportunities.
Here are some of the most popular English teaching roles:
- Business English Teachers
- Private Lessons
- English Conversation Schools (Eikaiwas)
- Teaching English Online
- International School Jobs
- Teaching in a University
However, these require different qualifications than being an ALT with Interac, and you may not receive the extent of support that Interac can provide.
Although being an ALT is a great position in its own right, working as a teaching assistant in Japanese schools can help you build transferable skills. Some of our teachers learn Japanese in their spare time, or study courses relevant to careers in IT or beyond.
Over the years, many of our staff in management, recruitment, and marketing positions have grown organically from ALT roles. We’re committed to fostering talent and rewarding dedication.
Explore the possibilities, embrace the challenge, and shape your future with us.
Join Interac today and take your teaching career to the next level.
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