An ALT Story | Why She Quit Teaching in Japan

HEY GUYS!
I hope ya'll are fine. I'd like to apologize for a super delayed upload. As you know, I've been super busy lately but I'd like to thank everyone for the understanding and for patiently waiting for each and every video I upload. I have also been receiving tons of personal messages in my social media. I can't respond to each one because sometimes it gets archived automatically. I apologize for that but I hope you all understand.
I'd also like to give a big shout out to my friend, B, for having the time and the courage to film a vlog with me. I'll be missing you and I wish you good luck on your next journey in life.
Did you enjoy watching this video? Please hit the like button and subscribe to my channel.
Love ya'll!
Thanks again for watching!
xoxo
Karla
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Please follow me on my social media so you'll see more of my life and shenanigans here in the land of sushi :)
Instagram: @candykab
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[@mayapunzalan8110]

This is relatable . That’s why on my second year , I asked to be assigned as ES ALT , cause you will work as main teacher most of the time , which helped me to serve my purpose . I felt fulfilled . 😊

[@HiShreen]

can i choose which grade level to teach?

[@TitoEmman]

Try the JET Programme instead. Private companies do not give enough support and do not expose people to a community. The JET programme is direct to the government, and it pays better.

[@glcassano1440]

Hello po. I am planning to apply for the JET program. Did you also apply for JET po?

[@marckabarintos3405]

In a weird way, I’m actually encouraged to pursue ALT in Japan because of this video. Hahaha

[@candyinthelandofsushi]

aweeee thanks! gambatte!

[@christymaetion8017]

I think it depends on how you're gonna use ur time and be productive at the end of the day. You know, we have different perspective. I'm a public teacher here in PH and everything is so stressful!

[@stessycaraig3580]

Fellow ALT here. I'm definitely on the same boat. In my previous school I had waaay too much free time yet had to stay at school full 8 hours and I just started hating the experience. Long hours over productivity :/

[@animesuki05]

Oh my goodness, I haven't seen any of your videos in a while. Now that I'm processing my application as an ALT, I got this video. I quit my previous job because I didn't feel productive too or there's so much downtime. Is this a sign or a test for me? Whoooo. As usual, great content! Thank you for this.

[@fabbfabb7074]

Hi, I am planning to apply to Japan as an ALT through the JET Program. I am a bachelor's degree graduate and planning to take units in teaching (18 units) . Do I have to be a LET Passer and have experience in teaching? Thank you so much.

[@rendelljao87]

It is so relatable but this encourage more people to switch to ALT instead . .

[@user-ro7ol9hd4h]

Ok....I think I want to be an ALT in japan...I have working here in the US as an RN and my stress level is over the top....I want to change my profession otherwise I’ll loose my sanity. たすけってくださあい

[@baquino4804]

Hi! Go give it a try! I highly recommend it 😊

[@JWB1979]

It depends on where you’re placed. I was at a school that required me to work T1 22 lessons a week. I had little time to prepared and a lot of stress.

[@cockpuncher555]

I assume it's not forbidden to use your downtime on reading books and learning new skills online, right? I don't get the point, I'm sorry. It's not up to your superiors how productive you're going to be, I believe it has to be self-directed. If I had that schedule, I would be the happiest guy in the office.

[@youdeservetobehappynow7584]

This is a great story time. Adjustment periods are always difficult

[@ashly985]

But u know.. if you have kids in ph that needs your time also, you will love this kind of job. Me working here in Sg.. na hangang 3am nagttype pa ng mga paperworks.. wala na ko oras sa mga kids at sa husband ko na makausap sila ng maayos kase laging pagod.. mas pipiliin kona yung gnyang work to balance my worklife and time for family :) hehe Im watching all your videos bago ako magdecide magapply jan.. sobrang laking help ng mga vlogs mopo. Thank you! 💗💗

[@baquino4804]

Hi Ashly! Go give it a try! 😊 Didn’t regret my experiences there, Even though I didn’t much enjoyed the work. But it’s different for everyone, right? Might work well for you 😊

[@iamdayne07]

I feel the same, Bea. It's my first time to work as an ALT, but I don't feel productive.

[@baquino4804]

di ba? not used to being "an assistant" i think i belong somewhere else :)

[@anthonykirby7427]

Under that shiny veneer of a modern, civilized, advanced society Japan can be brutal to foreigners. A small minority of Japanese still live with a middle-age mentality. The Japanese penal system seems stuck in the 18th century. Incarcerated people, both Japanese as well as foreign nationals are treated not much better than animals. They are fed with poor foods discarded by supermarkets. They often sleep on bare floor with not much more than a thin cover as a blanket. Foreign nationals staying in Japan, for whatever reason, should never commit any kind of crimes, even minor ones, for example overstaying their visa, drunken in public, traffic infractions etc. Once they are caught up in the Japanese legal system they may never see the end of it. In detention, prisoners don't have any way to access what is common in the West such as legal assistance, visits from family and consulate, decent foods etc. Although Japan needs foreign workers, it is not easy to get a work permit. Foreign workers are paid much less than their Japanese counterparts. They are usually assigned to the hardest kind of labour work. They live in run-down dormitories with nothing more than a bed and communal amenities. The lack of language skills brings isolation and loneliness; combined with long hours in the factories, poor living conditions, little social interaction eventually get to these unfortunate foreign workers. Suicide is rampant in the foreign worker community. Think twice before taking the plunge to venture to Japan to live and work. The whole idea of going to Japan to teach English and come back with a sizable fortune in your pocket to start a new life back home could simply be a pipe dream, as it often turns out to be.

[@reyzelmitan4886]

Hi Karla, I am really interested of the ALT job in japan offered by interac, but one of their requirement for 2020 is that I must have an english language teaching position before the deployment. I am currently working as a public high school teacher and I teach math. I have experience teaching english to foreign students from 51talk but I already resigned few months back before I learned of ALT. do you think it would be enough for their specific "strict compliance" on passing resume? thank you in advance.

[@andybesa11]

I felt the same with Bea, when I was in Australia. It's like, there was no sense of fulfillment and I am the type of person who can easily grow fondness of places but that place, eveb though spending almost 2 years felt very distant to me

[@jeeannguibone1678]

This is a great video, so we get a more rounded view of an ALT's job. I have a friend who'd love the downtime though XD hahaha. Anyway, Karla, I wanted to ask: I'm planning to get a certificate from my high school that states that English is the main medium of instruction used but I'm not sure hoe to go about it. I remember you had to get one for Interac in one of your videos? Do I have to submit a letter to request the cert?

[@candyinthelandofsushi]

hmmm I think it depends on the school. Luckily my school already has a template for this so I just requested for the certificate and never had any problems. My friends who also applied didn't have any problems at all. Maybe you can ask the school first how to go about it. I'm sure each school is different :)

[@jeeannguibone1678]

@@candyinthelandofsushi OK, thanks so much :) hopefully, they'll already have a ready cert hehehe

[@cockpuncher555]

Stay at home doing nothing? Now I know what your problem is -- lack of creativity. We all had that classmate, always at the top of the class but did not know anything more outside of it. They are good at following instructions and job orders but could not think of other things to do besides it.

[@takitakibombaescobargaviri9435]

English teachers in Japan don't speak any English so they don't want you to speak in the class. This is because they would lose the face. The crub mentality is the problem in this country.

[@archiepolicios8994]

same! like nagbabasa lang ako sabi ko ganito ba talaga? tapos may mga JTE pa na ang hirap pakisamahan. so ramdam kita B. 😬

[@gamluna3734]

Thanks for sharing this. Iba iba nga po talaga experiences ng ALT.

[@candyinthelandofsushi]

you're welcome :) Thanks for watching!!

[@fabbfabb7074]

Hi, I am planning to apply to Japan as an ALT through the JET Program. I am a bachelor's degree graduate and planning to take units in teaching (18 units) . Do I have to be a LET Passer and have experience in teaching? Thank you so much.

[@francesdiary4150]

having no license and teaching experience is okay, but it will be a great plus ☺️

[@jillanne0624]

I just accepted my placement. Now I'm worried if my branch is the same as hers.

[@baquino4804]

Hi Jill! I’m “her” 😅 Don’t worry everyone has different experiences or takes on this. You might have a great time 😊

[@unseensmilesmiles7085]

Alts are human tape recorders in Japan. English education in Japan is a joke.

[@filipinainJapan]

I feel you girl, hirap namn ng schedules kapag replacement, 😭,

[@lovewendz]

I still wanted to move to Japan and teach than stay here in deped. Lol

[@christymaetion8017]

Same thought sis... 😔😔😔

[@baquino4804]

Hi! I’m Bianca, the girl in the video. Go ahead and give it a go! I’d still recommend it. Everyone has different experiences. I just didn’t find what I needed in my life there. 😊

[@glcassano1440]

I am planning to apply for JET program. I am also working in Deped hehe How about you po?

[@ricsplazaras99]

I have been waiting for your new video. Thanks for this. I have a question though. I am applying in Chesham now and I am set for an orientation on November. I just want to ask if they are very particular with body size? I mean I am overweight. Do you think it will affect my application? Thank you and God bless!

[@heidimatsumoto9657]

Yes, they indicated in their ad that they're particular with body weight. They don't consider overweight applicants which is why I spent some time in losing weight. However, when I went to the orientation, I saw some overweight applicants who were also invited but they didn't point it out. You can ask miss michelle about it just to confirm. They're very straightforward so it's not a problem. :)

[@candyinthelandofsushi]

I agree. Thanks for responding on my behalf, Heidi. I'm so busy lately guys. hontoni gomenasai

[@alaizafernando6247]

Hello. I wanted to become an ALT in Japan 🙂 Where do I start?

[@reyanbustillo4783]

Hi! Is it okay for you to share what company were you employed when this video was taken? I’ll be having an interview for a dispatch company in Japan and when I searched about this company, 95% of the reviews are on the negative side. Hehe thank you po!

[@baquino4804]

Hi Reyan! Bianca here. I’m the girl in the video. I’m afraid I can’t tell you. I might get in trouble for it. Plus, it was only MY experience. You might have a different experience with the company/branch. 😊

[@dandan3045]

@@baquino4804 if its a really bad dispatch then it’s either Heart or Borderlink.

[@Febrinasvlogs]

Hi, if mg resign kba automatic na cancelled visa ka even if valid pa? So you cannot stay more in the country like for vacation if you resign kahit valid pa? Thanks

[@lowiejaygomez7600]

I Just have a question, can a secondary english teacher work in Japan as a ALT teacher?

[@francesdiary4150]

of course you can! ☺️

[@wilmatakazawa5859]

yes u can my dear, aim high and pursue ur goal come to Japan

[@ole416]

I think you don't understand your duty. The main purpose of ALT.

[@jeaevangelista1307]

Hi, I want to know if you passed the English exam and accent , will that be an assurance that you'll get hired?

[@candyinthelandofsushi]

Jea Evangelista hello, nope it’s not an assurance yet.

[@Febrinasvlogs]

Hello po, under which company or agency po ung guest mo? Thanks

[@0tr3]

try working with preschool kids

[@angelojurcales8403]

Hello po ano po yung maiaadvice mo for us na want to apply in Japan as an English teacher, but we're not in the Philippines po.

[@mjs5044]

saang prefecture po pala yung branch niya? ikaw po ?

[@shobietubananacan7877]

Pa share link naman po paano mag apply sa Japan as ALT. Thanks!

[@JofelPsalm236]

Saang branch po siya galing?

[@jedochea234]

Do you have a fixed pay though you don't have a regular schedule?

[@baquino4804]

Hi Jed! Yeah, the pay is all the same with everyone. It’s just the schedule 😊

[@gineinterest]

So, hmmmm... Akala ko may momo na encounter. Hahahah

[@judiediezmo6576]

Need po before you go to Japan u can speak Nihonggo?or u will just learn it along the way?🤔

[@candyinthelandofsushi]

Hello, you don't have to be fluent but learning a little bit of Nihonggo is part of the requirements for application :D

[@MarListed]

Good day, may I know if you heard heart Corporation? I would like to know about some honest review. Thank you,

[@candyinthelandofsushi]

Honest review, don't work for them ;)

[@jackiewinekkie4807]

​​@@candyinthelandofsushiello po could you expound re heart corp? I am deciding if i want to accept their offer. Hr was also filipina so i was at ease. What are the problems with heart corp? Thank you po.

[@maryrosefacundo1484]

Can I ask your agency?..thanks

[@marbarosi]

Can you private message me what company/ branch you work for?

[@Pretty3467]

Hello po ate candy

[@candyinthelandofsushi]

Hello, Shane! thanks for watching :)

[@ilocosupdate3139]

Agtagalog kayo man