I have just been offered a job with interac to start in August I have no teaching experience at all and can't speak Japanse (i know please, thank you but thats not going to go far lol) and I'm still owrking through my I-TO-I course. How much experience di you have when you first got out there? What will be the biggest challenge I'll face?

Sorry i meant roughly when did you start the application process for the March intake :P

Hey there hope all is well. Thought i'd try and pick your brain again :) I am currently applying for EPIK Korea programme because it will get me out to Asia easier, however i am also interested in the Interac programme, and wondered when you applied to them for the March intake? If the EPIK interview doesnt work out i dont want to apply late for the Interac programme.

Glad to see your heading back out to Japan soon! Jealous :P Ash

I hope you can return there! It sounds like you really loved it there. Did you apply originally to teach in March or August for their bi-annual intake?

I'm still nervous about applying in March. I feel qualified...however, what if I'm simply not their 'ideal' candidate? It's been a personal ambition and endeavor of mine to live abroad in Japan for many years...but I'm just daunted simply put, by the possibility of too much competition. I'm not sure how it works, in terms of applying for all these teaching jobs and everything. There are so many people vying to be ESL teachers!

Anyway, I'm trying to keep my head up, and do some volunteer work with kids in the meantime. The US economy is awful so its near impossible to get a job. I'm hoping that even though, it is just volunteer work, well it's better than nothing!

What have you been up to lately?

Hi dear, thanks for the insight - I'm glad you enjoyed it there! Whereabouts are you now? Teaching, working, or just traveling around?

I was curious to know if there is a lot of competition for Interac...its my main teaching abroad goal/destination, but I'm not sure if it's very difficult to find a placement here if so many others might also be vying for the same position.

Do you think anything else would help an applicant stand out more for Interac applications as ALT's ?

Thanks again =)

Hi Carky,

I'm hoping to apply for a job teaching in Japan through Interac, and hope they'll consider me for their next intake of teachers in March 2012.

I was wondering if you could tell me more about how the job search was for you, and was it very difficult? I have teaching experience in Taiwan if that helps, 2009-2010..and I'm working on my TEFL 120 hour certificate. I have my undergraduate and master's degrees in psychology, and I speak some Japanese. Hoping this will help!

I LOVE your posts and the photographs are so precious!

Hi Carky my name is Emily a hopeful future English teacher. I have read your blogs on teaching in Japan and it has helped me understand what will hopefully be my future in the next couple of years. I hope that we can talk more in the future I would love to know anything about teaching abroad. thank you -Emily

Hey again, just wondered how well did you live/travel on the ALT salary out in Japan?

Hey clarky i am an aspiring ALT and i am from the uk i look forward to speaking to you. I recently posted a blog piece about my worrys already and i havent even finished university yet !!

Hi firstly welcome to chalkboard :P

I am currently deciding whether to go to Korea or Japan and thinking i will probably apply to both come September for the March intake. Did you study any Japanese language before you went? Do you know how long the initial training is in country when you arrive? Any tips for the interview? :P Lots to get you started lol. Thanks in advance

Ash