Job Discussion Forums

caliguy · Joined: 30 Jun 2003 Posts: 5

Hello Everyone!

I need some advice on finding a teaching position In Japan. (Preferably in Tokyo) I have an interview with NOVA in a couple of weeks. However, I do not know if I should go with them because I have heard a lot of bad things about them. I would like to go with the JET program, but I have missed the deadline for this year. If I do go with them I would have to wait until next summer. I am 26 years old, and am running out of time to go to Japan. I would like to go to Japan for one year for the experience to discover a new culture, and travel. I am not looking to teach English after the one year in Japan. I live near San Francisco, California. Nova is the only company that has an office in San Francisco. None of the other large language schools have an office near where I live. Therefore, I am afraid that my only options for coming to Japan is with Nova or Jet. I am not particularly fond of the idea of working for one of the large 4 language schools, and would prefer not to wait until next year to go with the JET program. Does anyone have any suggestions for me? Thanks.

Celeste · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2003 2:37 am Post subject:

If you don't wnt to go through NOVA or JET or any other big organization, you will have to take a great leap of faith and reply to an ad from a smaller school that doesn't have an office in N. America. Go through the job board on this site, ohayo-sensei, and a few other places. Just start responding to ads. If you are only planning to be here and teach for a year, you will probably be fine with NOVA. I think that NOVA is really set up for people in exactly your position. For long term teachers, it can be a frustrating grind, but for short term people it seems to be a more positive experience.

tjpnz2000 · Joined: 22 May 2003 Posts: 118 Location: Japan

Hi,

I worked for NOVA for 10 months and fully agree with Celeste.

Unless you are looking to stay in Japan for more than 1 year the hassle of setting up apartments and the risk of getting a bad employer, which you would then have to leave, make NOVA or one of the other Big 4 the best option.

NOVA is not the greatest English school or company to work for in the world but it's not the worst either and perfect for your situation.

Plan to take a month off after you contract finishes to travel around Japan.

You can apply to the other Big 4 schools on the net, I think.

caliguy · Joined: 30 Jun 2003 Posts: 5

I think I will take your advice guys. What about the apartment situation? I heard that NOVA charges their teachers more for a room then what a room in an apartment is actually worth. Would it be smart to find an apartment on my own or with some other teachers when I get there. Or would it be smarter to go with NOVA's apartment? Thanks for your advice. Very Happy

nakanoalien2 · Joined: 04 Mar 2003 Posts: 52 Location: Nakano, Japan

First - I totally agree with Celeste/tjpnz. Having moved to Japan twice now, I personally would suggest either Jet or the big 4. Especially since they will make you move quite easy for you (I say this having moved here once with NOVA and once on my own). They are good at importing gaijin because that is a main component of their business models.

As for apartments, I lived in one. I have also heard the "overcharge" story. There may be some truth in it, but my opinion is that it is just a conspiracy theory, although I have no particular love for NOVA. Here's why:

-Many landlords specifically do not want gaijin tenants. It is very likely that if Nova is an intermediary (i.e. building is owned by Mrs. Tanaka, goes through X Real Estate Company, coordinates with Nova, you rent) then the actual owner could be charging a premium based on the idea that various gaijin will be tenants over the course of the years.

-You do not pay key money (2 month's rent) or a deposit (2 month's rent)with Nova. If you stay, you do not pay a contract resigning fee (1 month's rent). You don't pay insurance or rental agency fees. When I moved in on my own, the initial amt. came to about USD6000. Is it possible that rents are adjusted a bit based on those costs? I would imagine so. I can tell you that they are not adjusted for that whole cost though. If they were you would see huge disparities in your rent vs others.

Finally - you don't have to rent an apt. You can stay in a gaijin house.

Hope this is helpful.

tjpnz2000 · Joined: 22 May 2003 Posts: 118 Location: Japan

Hi again,
Here is my scoop on apartments and because I am such a nice guy I'm going to give you the bottom line first, go with NOVA.

If you interested here is why.

Yes, NOVA does make some money out of renting apartments to teachers by charging you more than you would pay renting direct from the landlord. But they are a company if they lost money then that would be very bad, from thier point of view.

NOVA apartments are good because of what nakanoalien2 said, that 5 months rent that was mentioned is NOT refundable.

Here are some other things; your utilities are fixed at a reasonable rate (6000 yen I think) and you don't have to deal with the utility companies, your apartment comes furnished so you don't have to buy it yourself, if your room-mate leaves you don't have to pay thier share of the rent.

NOVA apartments get a bad name because NOVA does not inspect the apartments before the last teacher leaves. This means that lazy teachers don't clean thier rooms when they leave.

I hate the way this post is starting to look like a NOVA advertisment, NOT MY INTENTION Laughing

I'm just trying to tell it like it is.

I would estimate that renting and setting up an apartment would not start to pay off untill after 2 years at the earliest.

Go with NOVA.

T

angelshade · Joined: 09 Jun 2003 Posts: 6 Location: San Francisco, CA

Hi caliguy,

Wow, your post sounds like the exact situation I found myself in. Living in SF, I just wanted to let you know that GEOS also has a small school here where they conduct their interviews. Their address is:

1 Sutter St (cross street is Market)
Suite #400
San Francisco, CA 94104

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Mosley · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 158

Really. Like an oversexed NOVA " supervisor" once told me: "I've got to get married damned soon! I'm middle-aged, for goodness sake!" She told this to me when I was 41. She was ... 26!! I know the media in the Western world has created a "youth culture" but ye Gods let's lighten up a bit, you under 30-yr. olds!!!

David W · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 457 Location: Japan

caliguy · Joined: 30 Jun 2003 Posts: 5

What I meant by saying I am running out of time is that I would like to go to Japan before I get settled down here in the States. Before I get married and have kids. This would make it very difficult for me to go to Japan once this happens.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

I don`t think it is so tough with a family. My wife and daughter are here with me and Japan is a wonderful place for kids. It is a lot safer than anywhere I have been before (40 + countries) and in fact the Japanese are especially polite to you if you have kids. Life doesn`t end when you have children, the fun begins. You don`t need to go out for entertainment, it is built-in.

cheryl · Joined: 01 Apr 2003 Posts: 119 Location: Japan

Totally deviating from the original post....

I understand Caliguy's position. Maybe he doesn't want to settle in Japan with a family. He also has to consider what his future wife might want. She may not want to go or live in Japan at all! So....it's easier to travel and "explore" other countries while one is single.

That's my half a penny anyhow...

Aqua78 · Joined: 08 Apr 2003 Posts: 19 Location: St. Paul, MN

Caliguy,

(I miss Cali - went to college in the Bay Area.)

For all the bad things you've heard about Nova, keep in mind that there are many good things that go unsaid because they're not as interesting. Also, if you want to be near Tokyo, your chances are better with Nova than JET.

I agree with you on wanting to go asap. I decided that I wanted to go on the JET Program a year and a half ago, just days after the application deadline. I'll be leaving for JET in a few weeks, and hopefully it will be worth the wait. However, it really sucks just treading water for over a year during your mid-20's. I didn't want to start grad school and then leave halfway through it. I didn't want to try for a better job and then quit within a year. Three of my closest friends got engaged while I was making plans to go overseas (not that I'd want to trade places with them). Also, women have this biological clock thing to worry about. I've already accepted the fact I might have to adopt kids by the time I'm ready for them.

My point is: it's fine to be aware that you don't have all the time in the world and to plan accordingly. Good luck with everything!