Interac’s Training Program - Core Pillars for ALT Success
Many graduates choose Japan to gain professional experience while enjoying the unique culture that Japan offers.
As Japan’s largest private provider of Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs), we have developed a training system that focuses on professional development and equips you with the essential skills needed to succeed in your new role as a teacher in Japan.
Our mission at Interac is to enrich people’s lives through the sharing of languages and cultures. In this complete guide, you will find out how our mission and values shape our training and development to prepare you for success as a teacher. Our training framework is outlined, starting with an initial 5-day training block with other ALTs and followed by continuous support throughout your placement.
With our ongoing guidance and resources, you’ll soon be thriving in an authentic Japanese school experience.
Whether you’re looking for teaching experience abroad, to grow as a teacher, or to build new transferrable skills for your career, we will support your journey wholeheartedly.
Apply and join Interac to enrich the lives of hundreds of school children as an ALT!
Interac’s Educational Philosophy
At Interac, we believe that education is the foundation for children to grow into independent, capable individuals who can reach their full potential. Our educational philosophy is centred around the belief that children are beings who are naturally driven to seek, act, and learn independently.
These values guide our approach to the way we design our lessons and the role we expect the assistant learning teacher to play in the classroom. We believe education is about fostering each student’s ability to achieve self-realization and empowering them to become creators of a sustainable society.
“Through providing “whole person” educational services that enrich the hearts, minds, and lives of people of all ages, we will achieve a more meaningful society. By promoting a deeper understanding of the world’s languages, cultures, and learning, we will contribute to more harmonious and closely knit relations among all people.”
– Interac’s Mission Statement
Our mission and values play a vital role in shaping our work at Interac and the training programme for assistant language teachers in schools across Japan. Our ALTs are more than just assistant teachers; they are mentors, cultural ambassadors and role models who help bring a global perspective into learning.
With teachers from over 70 different countries across six continents, we are one of the most internationally diverse educational organisations in Japan and reaching our goal of promoting a deeper understanding of the world’s languages and cultures through education.
This helps Japanese students experience English as a true global language, complete with a variety of accents, cultures, and worldviews. Interac teachers regularly share stories, traditions, and cultural insights, fostering each student’s ability to think globally.
What ALTs say about Interac's training
“I think that the training was given out of information gathered from years of teaching experience. It is relevant and extremely useful when you start your career as an ALT. It provides you with the correct info to hit the ground running.”
- Lennox, ALT from Canada
Core Pillars and Educational Building Blocks
Our training is designed to equip our assistant language teachers with practical classroom skills and the tools to inspire and connect with students through meaningful exchanges, understanding of different cultures and mentorship. Our training is centred around three core pillars, as shown in the diagram below:
These three core pillars are used as the foundations in our training to ensure that our assistant language teachers have the essential skills and knowledge required for success as a teacher in Japan. Pillars, such as Thinking, Judgement and Expression, empower our ALTs to plan and deliver lessons that not only engage students, but also build their confidence and ability to express themselves.
We bring the world closer together — one student, one school, one community at a time.
Have a look at our guide to teaching jobs in 2025 to find out about the options available to you.
What ALTs say about Interac's training
“I am inspired by the management and their support at Interac. They truly care about our wellbeing in the field.”
- Maricor, ALT from The Philippines
Initial Training with Interac
Initial Training lays the foundation for your success.
The fully paid five-day session covers the Japanese education system, the fundamentals of teaching English to first-time language learners, how to be an effective co-teacher, and so much more. Even if you do not have a background in education, our Initial Training program will give you the skills you need to find success in the classroom.
The session is a combination of live sessions and online learning modules, with roughly half of the session dedicated to hands-on teaching practice, where you will teach demo lessons and receive direct feedback from our experienced trainers. By the time you finish Initial Training, you’ll be fully prepared to assist your co-teachers as an assistant, as well as deliver language lessons yourself as the main teacher.
Following Initial Training, you’ll have a Personal Development meeting with your trainer, where you’ll create an action plan for your first term of teaching. This will become your roadmap for further developing your skills as an ALT throughout your first year.
Our ALTs really enjoy Initial Training and remember it as a highlight of their time spent in Japan. You’ll meet people from all over the world and make friendships that will last a lifetime. You’ll start your new job with a built-in network of friends to share in your teaching adventure in Japan.
Of course, five days isn’t enough time to cover absolutely everything there is to know about teaching English in Japanese public schools. Initial Training is just the beginning. Ongoing Training is where we help you further hone your skills.
What ALTs say about Interac's training
“As a teacher, I learned many teaching strategies that can make a difference even in America. Helped me transition from America to Japan. It was very engaging and made me want to teach. Going through the training made me feel less overwhelmed about teaching in Japan.”
- Dennis, ALT from America
Ongoing Training and Support
Our support doesn’t end at Initial Training. Soon after starting your school assignment, our staff will visit you at school to provide on-the-job training through our observation system. Our experienced trainers will spend time with you in the classroom, where they will share their practical knowledge to further develop your teaching skills.
Throughout the year, you’ll also attend a series of ongoing training sessions with the ALTs in your area. These sessions are tailored to your schools, so you’ll have ideas that you can take away and use in your next lesson.
You’ll also have the opportunity to learn from experienced ALTs. You’ll share ideas, learn new activities, and gain new insights. Many teachers enjoy meeting with their fellow ALTs and sharing their challenges and successes in the classroom.
You will continue to develop your skills, not just as an ALT, but also as a professional. Beyond just teaching English, the role of an ALT in Japan builds a robust set of transferrable skills from teaching that are highly sought after in many other industries.
We are invested in your success as an ALT.
You’ll have all the training, resources, and support you need to do your best.
Being an Interac ALT is a life-changing experience and a chance to be a cultural ambassador and grow your career. Take the next step and apply today.
Helpful articles about being an ALT
