Hello there,

I was checking out the Interac website and went through their FAQ's page and had a couple of points that I was hoping someone who's already working in Japan could help me with. This isn't Interac specific but related to what's expected of you and how you prepare assuming you land a position.

1. It suggests taking 500,000Y to see you through the initial period. This translates to about £3900. Do you really need that much money to start with?

2. Formal attire at all times at work. Not that I mind, I was wondering if this is the case in reality. Any dress down days? fancy dress?

3. Most importantly. Facial hair! I've grown very fond of my beard especially considering I've only been able to grow one in the last few years but the interac webste says clean shaven. Can it stay or does it have to go? Can someone give me a glimmer of hope?

4. The recruitment phase for September is coming a bit too soon for me but I don't want to wait until March to go for a placement. What are the chances of getting of getting a position in November time?

Thanks for any help

Im still fairly new to interac but I will answer to the best of my ability. 1. Most people do not bring that much. However I brought 6,000 usd and as of now I have about 1,000 left and ive been here for only two months. Of ive been here for only two months. Of course it depends on a lot of factors. Of course it depends on a lot of factors. Will you eat out a lot, will you drink? WIll you signup for a gym (mines is 10k yen a month). Of course your rent and that is 10k yen a month). Of course your rent and that will you buy anything for your apartment. I think its best to bring a lot. However interac does offer loans. I do know a few people who had problems getting theirs though. I believe this depends on the branch you are with. 2. Interac always wants you to look formal but it can change a bit do to the boes. My school told me shirt and tie daily but I dont need to wear a suit. 3. TO my knowledge facial hair is fine. Although it may make it harder for you to find a job. Once you do they will request that you stay clean shaven if you currently are or leave the beard if you have one. Im bald with no facial hair so sorry I cant give u more information on that one.

Thanks for the reply.
I'm quite cautious when it comes to money so I'd only look to spend on the bare essentials. Having said that there are so many unknown variables about moving to another country to do with location, language barrier and things I probably haven't even considered that you guys over there have discovered so I'd probably be wise to save for the target amount. I've read a lot about rent + deposit + key money which comes to a hefty amount as well but there's the option of a loan with Interac to cover this.
I realise I'm getting ahead of myself as I'm only a few weeks into my TEFL course but it's difficult not to get excited and want to plan ahead.

With regards to applying to Interac, do you think I should wait to complete my 140hr TEFL course or just go for it? I know I should be as prepared as I can be so I'm probably answering my own question and should be patient.

I've been working for interac for 3 years now - I'll try and answer your questions BUT in honesty, it is usually case by case (depends on branch and/or school)

1. You have to bare in mind that apartment set up cost is a lot - average rent is about 40-50,000en - when you move in sometimes you have keymoney (a gift of one months rent), deposit (sometimes upto 2months rent) plus rent (sometimes you are requested to pay for 2 months up front) - interac do offer a loan of upto 200,000 to help cover theses costs...also you wont know the cost of the apartment until your first training here! (they find it for you and you dont have much choice...LeoPalace is commonly used and cheaper (usually no key money) but these are not in every location)

On top of apartment costs you have general living - and the most important fact is you work a month in advanced and get paid at the end of the month - so essentially you have to live almost 2 months with no pay!!! (i brought £2000 and took a 160,000en loan...i wish i brought i little bit more) - remember, some schools have welcome parties (about 5,000en), come communities have foreign groups and have welcome parties, you probably want to meet up with people, try karaoke, try restaurants etc... also some apartments come part-furnished (desk, fridge, washer, microwave, cooker) - others you have to buy everything (sometimes the lights too)

2.Yes!!! - most schools change to 'cool biz' for summer! - this is shortsleeve with no tie - you should wear a suit (if you get a car you can keep the jacket in the car - you wont have a locker at school!!! - except to fit your shoes only) - indoor shoes just have to be comfy, they dont have to be smart!... some japanese teacher wont wear a suit etc BUT you do!

3. if the beard is short, trimmed and well kept - ok!... if its long, not well kept (as in random long strands, neck growth) then its not allowed... you certainly cannot start growing one mid term!!!

4.very slim - September and March are the times they accept overseas applicants - very rarely they accept overseas outside of these times, unless you are ready to go and willing to teach any where/any level! ... usually outside of these times they employ within country with people who have valid visas etc

Wants youve been at a school long enough, you begin to know the rules, settle in and get to know the teacher - however, interac is the employer - what your branch says, goes! (icedout921) said "My school told me shirt and tie daily but I dont need to wear a suit"... however, if you have a strict interac branch and your not wearing a suit, you will be in toruble!!! Always have a suit (either wearing of in your car - but as i said, not everyone will have a car)

for your second post - you can apply now and tell them you hope to complete the course in X amount of time!
once you complete it you can inform them!!!

I applied during my TEFL course - a lot of the process is waiting around - so whilst waiting i got on with my TEFL to pass the time.

When you come, you wont necessarily have a choice of location - location priority goes to people who's been with interac the longest, and anyone with specially circumstances (they are married, they will also do business classes for interac etc)

generally you say "i want to be in the north...i want to be in the south... i would like to teach high school but im ok with junior high school!" - interac cant promise anything! but the more flexible you are, the better!

Also, usually you have the choice of Rural or non-rural... non-rural does not guarantee you will be in a big city, it just means you wont be the only foreigner in a small village... a city in japan can mean anything from a small town of about 50,000 people to a large city with 3 million or more!!!

If you like winter sports, a mild summer etc - hokkaido is best!

I live in Iwate, in Miyako city - ive been here since 2010 and love it (i was here for the tsunami and even that didnt scare me away) - yes there are many barriers to cross BUT my advice is to go with the flow, join cultural groups, try to join clubs - i go to my schools karate club (although im currently injured) and i go to a private tennis club (basically its for adults and not students) - gradually you learn japanese, you begin to understand the culture and stop fighting it - you find less and less saying "In my country we do it this way!"

ive got to a point whereby i sometimes dont know the English word - or i naturally use japanese first

Most importantly - relax, breath and enjoy! 

Thanks for the reply, some great advice.

I finished my weekend TEFL course yesterday, had a great time even though it was nerve racking but I realised I seriously need to brush up on my grammar labels before going for any interviews. I think I'll see out the majority of my course, until I'm confident about the subject before interviewing.
So there is hope for my beard. I'll keep it neat, have it for the interview stage but to be on the safe side I'll point out that I don't mind losing it.

honestly I wouldnt worry too much about grammar. the test at the interview is fairly basic. My grammar is still weak. It also depends on your level if you do ES you wont have to worry about it. JHS its very basic, Im sure HS can be tough but you have plenty of time to brush up on it.

what you have to remember is for most part you are an ALT - you are not a teacher (by definition of)... you maybe asked to do an activity for a certain grammar point etc - but they dont expect you to teach it...at the very most do a refresher...
furthermore, you will probably be teaching elementary school or junior high school - of which the level of english is lower... it is rare to teach high school - most high school positions are in iwate!

Also, you usually teach more than 5 schools - some people have about 15 - this means, you are not there every day, sometimes only for half a day and sometimes one a month!

For elementary it is about making english fun! - so you play games, sing songs and dance... junior high school is about getting them to write and put what they have learnt into practice.

High school is about continuation and building confidence

I'm dyslexic, hate writing, bad a grammar and spelling - but you can easily check grammar online and you can get students to correct speling!

TEFL is not required to teach in japan - it sometimes helps to get a job but is not essential!!! 

Just to add I am only at one school and its JHS. The grammar is so basic even for third year. Past vs present etc. For me as of now all I have to do is read it aloud. If it doesnt sound right it usually isn`t. It may get harder but as I read through the text book it doesnt seem to be tricky. I honestly wouldnt worry about grammar, you can also get a study book and brush up when you are on your way here or already in Japan. Too me the toughest part of the job is just getting the kids to speak up.

even at high school, where i teach, at the very most they may ask you to do a refresh - but this is rare and only if they feel confident for you to do so...they understand that most ALTs dont have a degree in teaching or english and that only some have a TEFL - the Japanese English teacher is the main teacher and the one who usually teaches the grammar etc - 

For example - at my low level school they are very bad at grammar, the teacher will introduce it and i will then get them to practice it - last week i used a work sheet, this week im doing an activity.

I also teach at the main high school in my city - but even that i dont find difficult - the students have to pass an exam to get into high schools, the higher the level of the school the more difficult the exam - so, i find at my higher level high school the level of english is higher and so easier to teach - mainly because for 1st grade you teach oral communication whilst the japanese teacher teaches writing and grammar - 2nd and 3rd grade depends on the school but again, any grammar the teacher usually does - you are there to get them to practice.

furthermore, the level for most of japan is much lower than you probably expect - i certainly think so - considering they start learning english at 7 years old, by the time they leave high school at 18 years old, many still struggle to write and most wont speak - this is because they try to get the students to memorise answers for tests rather than teaching them understanding...

So, in short...don't worry - its a breeze, especially with TEFL under your belt!

Hi everyboby I'm new to the group and have a few questions and hope that someone could provide some clarity for me. I have applied to Interac and have pass the phone screening and is awaiting the seminar in May, however I hold a Diploma In Education and not a degree. I had inform my recruiter of this from the application screening point and was told that they normally required a Degree but that they would allow me to complete the stages anyway. After veiwing some of your comments I realised that no one else seems to have a Diploma. Am I wasting my time? Will i pass the interview but still not get hired? can anyone tell me if I'm in the clear.

Clarity will be much appreciated

The degree is needed for the visa - if you are able to obtain a visa another way, such as spouse visa etc, then you will be ok.

Also, unless they are changing the way they are doing the visa, then this might be difficult.

the best advice would be to shoot an email to interac and make it straight to the point cos they are busy this time of the year.

i have heard that sometimes it is possible to get people over on a working visa (this excludes some countries, such as america), and then when they get here convert the visa (this is risky because sometimes they dont over look the degree)

if you check the website, it does say you need a degree though...also the japanese embasy says a degree is needed - so it's possible the person on the phone mis-understood, or didnt know the answer  

Thanks PDixon the website did say degree however JET is now taking persons with a Diploma but it must be in Education so I thought that since its the same embassy that it would apply to INTERAC also but lets see how it goes.