Altia Central Reviews

Pros

*They tend to be more on the legal side of contracts and regulations than most dispatch companies *They do, in most cities, actually list you properly as a full-time worker which includes proper pension and health care compensation *Pay is about as good as it gets for public dispatch companies; only private or direct hire is better *Some of the management are great, but not in every city unfortunately

Cons

*Management is overworked, too few, and unable to really deal with all the work. So trying to get support or help for school situations can be difficult *Some of lower management are on power trips and will try to tell you things you "should" do; so if you don't know your legal rights you can get pressured into doing more than you're getting paid for *Support at schools is pretty poor, and if you work at a special education school even more so *You can be potentially be placed at 6+ schools , leaving you wish little time to plan or create lessons that teachers are dumping in your lap and making management shrug and just say "Do your best" leaving you hanging

Pros

They give better pay and benefits compared to other ALT dispatch companies.

Cons

The ALT sector is a bad one with dispatch companies racing to the bottom. They have already lowered bonus and base salary for new teachers. In the future they will probably have to either keep going down or get bought out by a bigger company that will.

Pros

Best ALT Dispatch company in Japan, especially in terms of pay and benefits 1) Paid leave and paid holidays 2) Highest Salary for ALT Dispatch company in Japan 3) Company subsidized apartment 4)Company subsidized car Helpful and understanding Supervisors.

Cons

Understandably, they are unable to influence Boards of Education (BOEs) to reprimand any school staff who may be abusive or otherwise to their ALTs.

Pros

Many of the schools are great and you teach a lot of wonderful students No way to move up except becoming management

Cons

Managers are a bit strict and the feedback sheets don't reflect your full job

Pros

No prorated months. The pay is decent.

Cons

Hiring policies are very inconsistent and can’t be trusted. Policies suddenly change upon making an official job offer or signing a contract. Example: Benefits stated on their ads can’t be trusted especially if you are not a native speaker. Be careful!

Pros

Relaxed working environment and long vacations which are paid. Multiple car plans available as well as paid parking.

Cons

No chance for an increase of salary and some black practices in play regarding health insurance and annual leave. There is no guarantee that you will be able to stay in your position as school boards must renew a contract with ALTIA on a 1-3 year basis.

Pros

Salary and Bonus, Summer time off

Cons

Only 5 sicks days every year, whole experience depends on the Supervisor you'll be assigned to.

Pros

Training, support, resources, friendly, great office staff

Cons

They can be a bit shady about bonuses at times but you do always get them. Sometimes they have to do a bid for your city and you won't know if you'll have that job until waaaaaay late.

Pros

Being an ALT is the best way to get here, dont need a lot of teaching experience.

Cons

Remember that moving to an entirely new country can be very difficult. Support can be lacking. Sponsored apartments are entirely too small.

Pros

- you can leave when your working hours are over - working in schools can be rewarding - you get to see inside public schools - payment is consistent - training was helpful - if you get a good contract in a good area, you can get good vacation time - management is professional - if you need an apartment/car (depending on position), they can arrange these for you

Cons

- you're unofficially expected to work a bit of overtime some days - actually getting to take your "break" can be difficult - there's only one chair in the whole school you can sit in without feeling weird about it, and sometimes you have to share it with other staff (depends on school). - you can never truly be alone at work, unless you go to the bathroom - there is a lot of standing and walking up and down stairs. This is fine most of the time, if you're healthy and don't have any mobility issues, but if you're tired, injured, or feeling a bit under the weather, it can be a lot. - the job is exhausting. - this is better now because of the pandemic and the subsequent mask wearing/handwashing, but schools have a LOT of germs.