I’ve been working as an ALT for 10 years, and every year it feels worse than the one before. The salary is ridiculously low almost unlivable. If you don’t have a part-time job, you’re basically screwed and end up surviving on instant noodles. What always surprises me is how many people are still interested in working as ALTs despite the countless bad reviews. Since COVID, I’ve also noticed that many new ALTs come from developing countries with little or no teaching experience at all. Teachers often complain to me that ALTs are unprofessional, don’t know what they’re doing, and don’t know how to teach. Honestly, I can’t even fully blame them. If the salary keeps going down, the quality will only get worse. Anyway, I’m just ranting—but it’s frustrating as hell.
by Intrepid_Wonder1661