Job Discussion Forums

seamonkey · Joined: 18 Feb 2006 Posts: 29

Im am just wondering about the non socialization with students rule that nova have.

Do any of you guys who work or have worked for nova ever break the rule and sneakily go out with students behind novas back? Or is that too risky?

Im considering accepting a place but i think its a shame that you cant become friends with students. If i go to Japan i dont want to end up in a nova bubble where i only go out with other English teachers. I want some japanese friends too

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

Many people break that rule. It's illegal anyway. That doesn't stop some unscrupulous branch managers from trying to keep tabs on you and using your meetings against you. NOVA has lost this in court, I believe, but some people still have their neanderthals ways.

Professionally speaking, I wouldn't recommend using your out of class time to date students. Non-romantic rendezvous is perfectly acceptable to me, though. Just keep in mind that many of your students will take such meetings in a different frame of mind, whether as a prelude to romance or as a free English lesson instead of friendship.

Doglover · Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 305 Location: Kansai

BurnChurch · Joined: 10 Feb 2006 Posts: 34

WOW
That is very f***ed up man!!!
You should be able to make friends with whoever the hell you want!!!
That rule is the most stupid rule I*ve ever heard.
ANYWAY. There is no way they can prove you go out with any of your students. Unless you come to class holding hand witha cute girl or coming in drunk to class with a bunch of your students after a party.

To make friends is not illegal. What the hell is going on?
Nova is rich anyway!

Doglover · Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 305 Location: Kansai

Doglover · Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 305 Location: Kansai

newyorkbunny · Joined: 18 Jun 2005 Posts: 75 Location: Tottori

Hi Doglover,

I seriously disagree. It is the same as saying you would not be friends with your colleagues if you didn't work with them.

I am teaching English in Australia and we are encouraged to mix with our students outside of class. As humans, we are social creatures and keeping company with people we like is normal - whether they be students, teachers, colleagues etc. I am still friends with managers from my previour career. They were my superiors but we developed a strong and I believe, lasting bond.

As for my students, I regularly invite them (and vice-versa) to functions/parties etc and we mutually benefit. I am happy that they experience Australian culture and I love learning about their backgrounds and cultures. I have remained friends with a number of my former students and I will continue to do so. It's perfectly normal.

It should be noted that our students pay a lot of money to attend their school but our college is more human in the way it sees the relationship between students and teachers. Furthermore, they don't see "fraternisation" outside of the classroom as potential lost revenue. Instead, they see it as fostering cross cultural understanding which can only enhance the experience for both teachers and students, thereby engendering loyalty and trust. I for one have never heard of a student saying they would not re-enroll or found the courses a waste of time because they got free English lessons from befriending the teacher! Of course, I teach at a real college with real courses though - not an over-rated eikaiwa!

I hope NOVA read this and see what an antiquated and narrow-minded policy they have.

Zzonkmiles · Joined: 05 Apr 2003 Posts: 309

I agree that the NOVA no-socialization policy is BS, but at the same time, it's something that is explicitly stated in your contract. If you sign that contract, you are agreeing to everything it stipulates, including that policy. Other eikaiwas are less severe about this, so maybe those are the places you should apply to instead of NOVA.