Job Discussion Forums

[Luna Chica]

Ok at the risk of angry replies here. What exactly is it that everyone seems to expect of a company? If you don't like JMA health insurance, you know what? You are free to change health funds. If you feel you are getting royally ripped off in NOVA accomodation (which you are) you are free to find your own place, if you don't like being a number in a big system, then why the hell did you join Japan's largest private language school?

I know that NOVA is no shining beacon of ESL education or poor english teacher charity, but you know what? You work for a big company, they are tere to make money just as every other large business is. They pay you promptly, they organise k-teis, bank accounts, accomodation, health insurance etc for you when you are fresh off the plane that they met you off. I don't know about you, but no other company I have ever worked for have organised so much for me. What do you want them to do, have NOVA-san himself show you to your apartment and ring every other week to tell you how appreciated you are. They were very accomodating, they placed me where I wanted to be and they placed my boyfirend within walking distance.

I worked for them for two years and yeah they are McDonalds english after a while you get a touch bored. BUT I thought they were great to work for, they were a damned sight more supportive and organised than other schools I have worked for including well regarded internationally present organisations. Give them a break for god's sake the NOVA bashing is getting so freaking old.

Ofcourse they are not perfect, but for god sake would people get off the NOVA ltd express to bitterness station? If you don't like their policies, then change schools simple as that, just like you would if you were an employee at a company in your home country. Stop all your whingeing.

vent over, I prepare myself for the onslaught of recriminations.

[canuck]

Only someone that can't get another job is satisfied staying at NOVA.

[DarkMagus]

Wow, thank you. There's so much negativity toward NOVA, its just ridiculous. Yes, they're a big corporation, so obviously they behave like one--they're looking out for their own bottom line. That's what every large corporation does, no matter what field (or country) you happen to be in.

No one is getting rich working for NOVA, that's obvious. But if you think you're going to "get rich" teaching English in Japan, then you're just an idiot. Are there better gigs out there? Obviously there are. But they're harder to find (and land) if you're working from your home country. NOVA makes it relatively easy to get to Japan and have a job, apartment, etc. when you get there.

I'm going to be working for NOVA in September. They've offered me and my girlfriend a job, they've offered to place us together (as roommates), and they've been very helpful and supportive of both of us (and our plan to teach in Japan together). I can't say that would have worked out so well if this were with JET (which we applied to and didn't even get interviews).

So yeah, I realize NOVA isn't "the best", but its certainly a better option than what I'm doing now. I think it all depends on your own situation, and your own goals and needs. For me, its perfect.

[Hoser]

Some people like to feel superior to others even when they have no real reason. Remember, we're all here because we couldn't get worthwhile jobs back home

[Luna Chica]

Yes there is a lot of negativity and I have just got bored with reading about it. They hire people who have no teaching experience and no teaching qualifications (as do many many many other japanese language centres) do you really expect they are going to be a bastion of educational virtue? No ofcourse not, if they were they would expect a CELTA cert. and experience. If you are looking for a stable job with little responsibility while you experience living in another culture they are great.

If you want to be Robin Williams in Dead Poet's Society they are probably not for you.

Guess what Mr you can't get another job? I have a CELTA Pass A (attained by about 2% of CELTA candidates, I am a qualified primary school teacher and I have several years teaching experience) I have no trouble being offered work, I simply enjoyed working there with great students and staff and if you are qualified you can make great lessons from the NOVA format, it is based on solid teaching principles, even if they are perhaps a little outdated - well streamline was, not sure what they use now.

For the gentleman going to work with them. Enjoy it, and make up your own mind.

[wangtesol]

Why should any company that blatantly and constantly violates the law be given a break?

Nova employs over 5000 migrant workers in Japan. That is more than Toyota or Subaru, and they don't automatically enrol their employees in to national health insurance.

It is not about chosing JMA or not. You have to be enrolled in the national health insurance. Period.

The biggest school in Taiwan, Global Village, does not try to cheat their employees out of the national health insurance plan. There is a box right on the application form which ask if you want to be in it or not. Why doesn't the Nova application have such an option?

Becuase they and their foreign managers are the scum of the earth.

[shuize]

I'm sure I've made a crack or two about NOVA over the years. But the posts above are correct. The simple answer is, if you don't like how NOVA operates, don't work for them. Better yet, if you have the secret formula for English education in Japan, start your own school and kick NOVA's ass.

[luckyloser700]

[[email protected]]

Right on Luna Chica. If you don't like NOVA, don't work for them or go there as a student. It's called freedom of choice. And like it or not, a lot of Japanese have voted with their wallets and choose to go to NOVA. If they are so bad, why are they so successful?

Hoser's comment that all of us are here because we couldn't get worthwhile jobs back home is patently ridiculous and an insult to thousands of hard-working professional teachers. That may be your personal experience but you speak only for yourself.

[nawlinsgurl]

I too was like the original poster when I first came to Japan.

I was all about giving Nova a chance despite the negative rumors that plagued this board. I was 22, fresh out of college, eager to see the world, have fun, learn a language, and meet new people.

I got out of Nova's scammy insurance thanks to info from this board and my husband serving in the military during a "time of war". I bought my own plane ticket at a fraction of the Nova price. I stayed in their apt. only for a short time before moving into a box of my own. I worked at Nova for my entire contract despite being offered several lucrative positions at other places, because I thought it would look good if I completed my contract. I folded brochures, stuffed tissues, and took extra Kids Classes including all of the Chibis, because no one else at my branch would. I never had a student complaint, so as far as I can see my few absences were the only reason I got booted. I acquired several bruises from bad kids who would not stop kicking me, as their parents and the Nova staffed watched.

The worst thing??? Was when I agreed to hand tissues out like Nova's little bi**ch during rush hour at a busy train station, while Japanese people and Americans laughed at me and took my picture.

In the end, I was less than a month away from finishing my contract when Nova said they weren't renewing it because of my absences. I had significantly less absences than anyone in my Area, including one person who had "the record for the Kanto Plain". The Area Manager told me they were not renewing my contract, and then asked me to do a demo lesson. But before that he said "At least you can stay in Japan because your husband's military." Until the time, I left my school I had to put up with rudeness and lies being told to students about my "visa not allowing me to stay here". (I can stay in Japan forever if I want so that is bull) Then I found out the boss� wife was coming back to work and would conveniently get �my schedule� (to match her husband�s) if I was gone. I was the only other person in the school with Sunday/Monday off.

Then the manager made some derogatory comment about my husband in Japanese, which I understood.

In the end, I got a lawyer who said basically it would be pointless to take them to court because it would take forever. I cut my losses, got my last check, went to Okinawa and chilled out for a bit. Then I came back all prepared to live off my husband, when a local school randomly asked me to be their English teacher. It is way better than Nova, because I get treated with respect, my schedule doesn't have sudden changes, the kids sit at desks and behave pretty well (no bruises), I get bonuses and all national holidays and summer off, and most importantly I don't have to lie to students and sell them stuff they don't need.

Am I another Nova basher? Maybe, maybe not. But I came to Japan ready to respect a company that just used me. I may not have been the perfect employee, but I felt like I worked pretty hard for that company. In the end, I'd say Nova is to be respected for what it is best for: Voice lessons and a way to get into Japan.

[Keith_Alan_W]

[DarkMagus]

[angrysoba]

[canuck]

[DarkMagus]