Job Discussion Forums

[lonneke]

OK all I have some NOVA questions and I ask that those only objective respond. I don't want you to respond if you are going to be all negative, while I understand that every place has positive and negative sides, please be objective.

Is NOVA really that bad? I mean the people who hate it are extremely negative and I normally don't find those comments to be the most reliable.

Also, with roomates, are the co-ed or same sex? How do they place you? do they just put you where there is a vacancy?

What is this stuff with roomates moving out and getting new places? can you do that? what is a gaijwan or whatever its called? How do you find one?

I've heard of people just breaking their contracts and leaving? can you do this? without penalty?

In the apartments fo people have their own rooms, or do you have to share?

How is the NOVA salary compared to other schools?


What is the best part of NOVA? The worst?

Does NOVA pay or repay you for flights? How does that work? I also think I read somewhere that when you are flying to Japan, NOVA can make it so you are traveling with other people in the program.....is this true?

Can you teach other subjects at NOVA besides english--like spanish?



I think that's all for now!

Any responses woould be greatly appreciated

[Glenski]

[PAULH]

[PAULH]

From the FAQs page on teachinginJapan.com




1. Please describe the type of person that your company is looking for when recruiting new EFL teachers.

We are seeking motivated individuals who are native speakers of the language they plan to teach (English, French, German, Spanish, Chinese, Italian). A Bachelor's Degree from a recognized college or university is a company requirement, and an Immigration Department condition for visa sponsorship.

2. What is the current salary range for new teachers in your company? Be specific.

Monthly salaries for full-time instructors range between a maximum JY 304,000 and a minimum JY 274,000 in the Tokyo region and between JY 285,000 and JY 255,000 in Kyushu. Salaries for other regions of Japan fall between these figures. Factors affecting salary are location, formal qualifications, and work schedule.

3. Is there a "Probationary Period" for new employees? If so, what exactly does this mean in terms of salary for new teachers?

Yes, there is a probationary period of two full salary months. Salary range is JY 250,000 to JY 259,000, dependent on location in Japan.

4. How many hours a week is a new teacher expected to be present in her school?

A full time instructor needs to be present in the branch for about 34 hours a week.

5. How many teaching "contact" hours does a teacher in your school typically have in one week?

Contact hours are between about 26.5 and 28.5 hours per week. The regular full-time teaching schedule consists of 40 lessons per week, each 40 or 45 minutes in length.

6. Teachers in our organization PRIMARILY use:
a.only materials selected by our company
b. materials chosen by the individual teacher.

Nova provides the materials instructors use in the lessons. The curriculum is set, but instructors are encouraged to adapt this material with activities and realia relevant to their students. Lessons are tailored to the students' interests and language needs.

7. How many days of PAID VACATION does a new teacher get her first year?

About three weeks. The first contract provides 10 discretionary paid holidays (two workweeks) after six months. Additionally, the branches are closed for 8-9 days over the New Years' Holiday period. Full time instructors receive their regular days off plus 5 or 6 paid holidays.

8. Of these vacation days, how many can the TEACHER take at her discretion?

Ten, in the first contract. In subsequent contracts, the allotted number increases, by one day in the first contract and by two days per year thereafter. �

9. Do teachers in your organization work Japanese National Holidays?

Yes. This is a period of very high demand from our students, so we wish to maximize their opportunities to study.

10. Do your teachers receive private or shared subsidized accommodation?

Yes, Nova will arrange furnished accommodation for those instructors who require it. There are none of the start up costs typically associated with housing in Japan. Instructors are not obliged to live in company-arranged accommodation; they are free to make their own alternate arrangements. Accommodation is either private or shared company apartments or single/ couple apartments arranged through private real estate agents.

11. What is the average rental charge to a new teacher?

Rent is determined primarily by region and ranges from a minimum of JY 40,000 in Kyushu to a maximum JY 74,000 in Tokyo. Most rental properties would fall in the mid-range.

12. What type of Health Insurance do you provide to a new teacher?

Instructors can choose the option that best suits them, including Japanese private or public insurance, travel insurance, or private insurance arranged through the home country. Additionally, Nova provides access to Japan Medical Assistance, a company offering a travel insurance policy to Nova instructors which includes 100% reimbursement for medical and prescription costs and provides members with language assistance and information on medical institutions.

13. What is the cost of this insurance?

JMA costs JY 6,000/month.

14. Do you offer an end-of-contract bonus? If so, how much is the bonus?

There is no lump sum end-of-contract bonus. If the contract is renewed, a salary increment (up to JY 20,000/month) is awarded based on performance throughout the year.

15. Do you provide Japanese language lessons for new teachers? If so, please describe this benefit, and the cost, if any, to the teacher.

Nova does not offer Japanese classes to students or instructors. However, instructors are eligible for a staff discount for lessons in languages offered by the company: English, French, German, Spanish, Chinese, and Italian (cost is approximately JY 1,500 per lesson)

16. Please describe any additional benefits provided to new teachers by your organization.

Paid training: Instructors undergo paid training during work hours. The probationary period contains several extensive training seminars.

Fixed schedule and location: Instructors can expect a consistent weekly schedule, allowing them to plan other regular activities outside work hours. Nova also offers a fixed working location, which eliminates time-consuming travel from location to location. Instructors are not required to attend company functions or mandatory social events outside regular working hours.

Schedule flexibility: In addition to ten discretionary paid holidays, it is possible for instructors to arrange shift swaps with their colleagues. Nova also allows instructors to reduce their scheduled lessons within non-peak hours (weekdays between 1:20 and 5:00p.m.)

Flexible start date: Because Nova does not operate on a semester system, contract starting dates are available throughout the year.

Transfer opportunities: Applicants can state a preference for a geographical region of Japan. With over 450 branches throughout the country, instructors are living and working in a wide range of locations. Individual preferences or requests, while not guaranteed, are always considered. Additionally, instructors can apply for a transfer of location mid-contract.

Promotion opportunities: Instructors who are interested in advancement are eligible for promotion to supervisory positions. Further promotion opportunities exist in areas including personnel management, curriculum development, administration, publishing, translation, and overseas recruiting.

Travel costs: The company reimburses the cost of a monthly pass on public transportation. Public transportation costs to training shifts are also reimbursed.

17. What is your advice to someone who wants to teach English in Japan?

Determine your goals in coming to Japan. Consider both what you want from, and what you are willing to give to, a teaching position. Prepare for teaching by doing some research about ESL techniques. Define what is important to you in your experience in Japan: location? Flexibility? Career? Be prepared for a different culture and keep an open mind about all the new experiences you will encounter.

[worldwidealive]

For all of its ills, Nova is what you make of it. It's no paradise, but probably my favorite thing about it is that this likely won't happen to you:

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=14058

You'll always get paid as the contract states and on time. These types of stories aren't that unusual outside of the bigger schools, universities, or public school system.

[Hondo 2.0]

I think the best thing about Nova is that the contract is valid for a period of one year, and can be terminated by the employee on 30 days notice. I don't know of any other company that gives you such flexibility. GEOS wants four months notice of resignation, for example.

[melirae]

Hi!

I have been in Japan less than a week and only been to a couple of days at work at NOVA, but I have to say that I am very pleased. I know that every situation is different, but I have a FANTASTIC apartment- very clean and nice. It is also close to a train station and I am only three stops from work. I feel it is totally worth the 60,000 yen I will be paying a month, especially due to the fact that I am in the middle of Osaka and that I don't pay utilities.

I am at the MM center, so based on your schedule, the opportunity to make over 300,000 yen per month is there. You may have to be patient about changing your schedule around in order to make that amount, but it is possible. My roommate does it.

Those who complain about it are just not adaptable (again a generalization). It is a very overwhelming thing to get used to being in a new country and in your first week be thrust in front of paying customers to give lessons when you know they are probably paying an arm and leg for them.

I think if you're pretty easy going and can handle a little stress getting used to the lessons, then you will do just fine. I may have a totally different opinion of NOVA in 3 months, but right now I am very happy with my decision.

[PAULH]

So Mellie,

you finally got here!! Welcome to Japan. Hows it going for you?

You met 'Tony' at Osaka MM yet? Say hi to him for me.

Let us know if you need any more info on Osaka or getting about.

Cheers


Paul

[HontoBakari]

Nova apartments are not co-ed. There are apartments for men and apartments for women, and each person has their own private bedroom. The lease can be terminated without question or penalty given 30 days notice. If you can find a cheaper, tidier, and more convenient flat, off you go.

It has always seemed to me that Nova does its best to meet peoples' location preferences. For example: Nova guarantees to place friends within one hour of each other, but I know several people who ended up being place in the building next to their friend. The problem is that Nova has more than 500 schools, probably 200 of which are never requested. Obviously some new teachers will need to be placed in these schools, despite their location preference. A bit of advice: Japan is a great place to live for a few years, and no matter where you find yourself it is easy to have a great experience.

At Nova you can only teach the language that you are considered a 'native speaker' of. No exceptions; they and immigration get to define what 'native speaker' means.

It has been previously stated that Nova is what you make of it. I agree, but would like to add that it is not terribly difficult to make it an extremely positive experience. Of course, it is also easy to make it into a horrible, bitter experience (as evidenced by some of the posts on this and other sites). I suggest that what you read about Nova says as much about the author as it does about the company/experience.

[Dorman]

Hi all!

My girlfriend and I depart for Osaka in two weeks. We are going over to work for Nova. I will be at the MM center, and she will be in a yet to be determined branch. Just today we were given the address and our living accomodation information.

After taking a long look at some maps, I'm lost before I even get there! Would anybody care to give an indication of where we'll be living to a small town Canadian fellow? The information is as follows:

Prefecture: Osaka-Fu
City: Moriguchi-Shi
Locality: Takiimotomachi
Major line: Keihan

Now, I was looking at a few maps, and I have no idea where this is in relation to the MM center, downtown Osaka, etc. Something tells me I'm on the outskirts, but that is just a hunch. So can anyone shed some light? (PaulH, I've been lurking, I know you have info!). Any info, advice, etc would be great.

Melirae, hey soon to be co-worker! How are you enjoying the MM Center? I can imagine it's somewhat similar to working at a call center (which I currently do for 3 more days! woohoo!). I wonder if we'd be living relatively close... it'd be nice to know someone, or have a commute with someone. My girlfriend's cousin is living in Nagoya.

Cheers,

Brad.

[PAULH]

[Dorman]

Paul,

Thanks for info. 40-45 minutes sounds great to me. I even hope I have a bit of walking in there as well (could always use the exercise!). I currently commute that far for my job now, so it won't be too much of a change to my routine.

Also, 20 minutes from central Osaka is pretty decent as well. I've searched the web for some info on the city, do you have any to offer? Is it really urban, or more on the rural side? Again, I'd make the assumption somewhat urban if its that close to the central city.

Brad

[PAULH]

[Li-ka]

Hey Dorman, you're coming to my city!!! I live in Moriguchi shi and only just arrived two weeks ago. The best way to get here from the Kansai international airport is the Airport limousine bus. It takes an hour and 5 minutes to Moriguchi and stops right underneath the train line.

I like it here. I don't know exactly where takiimotomachi is, but I can give an educated guess that since 2 stations towards Osaka on the Keihan line is Takii, you'll probably be living somewhere near the Takii station. There is a Nova branch right off the Moriguchi shi station, so your gf could be as close as a 15 minute walk.

If you are close to the Takii station, keep in mind that the only trains that stop there are the LOCAL trains (the ones that stop at EVERY stop). Taking this will get you into Osaka roughly ten minutes later than an express from Moriguchi-shi. (But if it takes ten minutes to get to the Moriguchi-shi station...)

From where I live, its about a ten minute walk to the station and a ten minute walk to where I work. Since you must be punctual in Japan, I give myself an hour to get from Moriguchi-shi to Nanba. The actual train ride is only half an hour.

It's pretty quiet where I am, though I'm not right next to the train line. There's a HUGE park about a twenty minute walk from where I live that has some nice scenic points and an impressive international gardens. I took a day trip there one of my first days here and I highly recommend it. It really helps to know that nature is pretty close. The park is Tsurumiryokuchi Park. I spent about four hours there one day and saw roughly a quarter of the park.

Two more weeks, huh? Geesh, you're missing out on all the FUN! (As an aftershock shakes my bum).

(c:

[Iwantmyrightsnow]