Hello! I’m Annette Lee, the founder and creator of Eigo Ganbare, and I’d love to share my journey with you.
If you’ve ever dreamed of living and teaching in Japan, I’m here to tell you — it’s possible! My adventure began in the early 2000s when I interned at a startup IT company in Kobe City through the Hyogo Business & Cultural Center. While designing their website, I couldn’t help but wonder: What would it be like to teach English in a Japanese school?
That curiosity led me to apply for the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program. After several attempts, I was finally accepted in 2004 and began teaching in Hyogo Prefecture. My first year was challenging — I was inexperienced and unsure of my role. But through JET’s well-known principle — Every Situation Is Different (ESID) — I learned to adapt, grow, and embrace the experience.
Over the years, I expanded my teaching journey with Interac and other dispatch companies before transitioning into direct-hire ALT roles. From 2012 to 2020, I worked as a direct-hire ALT for two boards of education and at a private junior and senior high school in Osaka Prefecture, where I progressed from supporting teachers to leading my own classes.
It was during this time that Eigo Ganbare truly came to life. Inspired by the nonprofit eboard, my mission is to empower ALTs and improve English education in Japan. Eigo Ganbare offers creative team-teaching ideas and resources designed to help ALTs deliver engaging, effective lessons — a common challenge in Japanese schools.
In addition to Eigo Ganbare, I also played a role in developing ALTinginJapan, a community platform designed to support ALTs across Japan. This space was created to help ALTs connect, share resources, and navigate both teaching and daily life. From lesson ideas and team-teaching strategies to guidance on cultural adaptation and professional growth, ALTinginJapan serves as a valuable resource for ALTs at every stage of their journey — whether they’re part of JET, working with a dispatch company, or hired directly. Alumni ALTs also play a key role in offering guidance to current ALTs, whether they are staying in Japan or transitioning back to their home country.
Since returning to the U.S. in 2020, I’ve remained committed to developing new ideas for Eigo Ganbare. I also encourage educators to advocate for “Getting Your BOE to Say Yes” — promoting the benefits of investing in team-teaching.
If you’re thinking about teaching in Japan, I encourage you to take that leap! It’s an incredible opportunity to grow personally, develop new skills, and make a lasting impact.
Together, let’s inspire hope, build confidence, and create memorable classroom experiences.
全員参加で楽しくガンバロウ！