Job Discussion Forums

Willie Nelson · Joined: 27 Mar 2003 Posts: 9

I�ll be ending a three-year stint in the JET Program this July and have been offered a position with NOVA after that. The offer is on the table until my JET contract and current visa expires, at which time I have to commit one way or the other. In the meantime I�m actively searching for other job options, both here in Japan and elsewhere.

The thing is, I like the region where I currently reside and would prefer to continue living here, if possible. It�s kind of a far flung area, not close to any of the major urban centers, so the amount of private English schools, particularly ones that have the resources to hire foreign instructors, is fairly low. NOVA, Aeon, Geos and the rest have branches here, but they�re small and the turnover rate is very low, I�ve found.

The stuff I�ve been reading on this forum and others about NOVA experiences is a little disconcerting. I don�t want to take a step down after spending three productive years in the JET Program. I�d like to gain employment that builds on and utilizes what I�ve accomplished so far.

The NOVA office I interviewed at was clean, friendly and had a seemingly relaxed atmosphere, but the awful stories I�ve heard about working for them kept springing into my mind during the meeting. I�ve heard many good things, too, from people I trust who have worked for them, but I�m having doubts.

I�m fairly confident other offers will be forthcoming. There�s still a good amount of time and at the moment most schools are too busy hiring for the April rush to worry about someone who�s looking to start in mid-summer.

In light of all this, what do you think? If NOVA turns out to be the only option to stay in this area, is it worth it? After three years on JET should I be aiming higher, or is all the talk I�ve heard about NOVA being the bottom of the barrel just angry kids complaining about how they had to �show up� and �be responsible�?

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

Take a look at this person's article on working at NOVA. It seems to present a fairer account of the job than others.
http://markcity.blogspot.com/teaching.htm

And these.
http://eserver.org/home/danzico/teacher.html
http://www.escapeartist.com/efam14/Teaching_English_Japan.html
http://www.epinions.com/trvl-review-59F0-C1DD2A-38BFD0B1-prod7

I would also highly recommend reading the posts on Dave's ESL Information Journal (http://www.eslcafe.com/jobinfo/asia/sefer.cgi?Japan)

Bear in mind that JETs assist, while eikaiwa teachers don't. Eikaiwas teachers are on their own following plans set by the eikaiwa and/or creating their own materials.

Celeste · Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2003 11:33 pm Post subject:

I would like to add to what Glenski has posted. Any time you are looking to work for a company, it is a good idea to speak to some present and former employees. Ask the person who interviewed you if he/she can set up a meeting for you. These people will be able to give you aclearer idea of the working conditions at this branch.

A word about JET: Yes, Glenski, ALT does mean assistant lanuage teacher but in many cases, the ALT can either plan lessons, or not be used. Of the 8 elementary schools I visit, only 2 plan workable lessons for me. These are also the two schools where the classroom teacher plays an active role in the English lessons. 1 school plans lessons that are almost workable, but often I have to change the activity to suit the skill level of the kids, and at most of my other schools, the provide me with a topic and a lot of flash cards. At 1 of the schools, they gave me a lesson plan that looked like this.

1. Say good morning to the students.

2. Teach them some English words.

3. Play and sing with the children.

Needless to say, I kind of had to add to that.

In my city, there is a huge difference in the role of the JET ALT at different schools. In one high school, the JET ALT is basically the main classroom teacher during her classes, and the other teacher is only present for legal reasons (ALTs cannot legally be left alone in a classroom- there must be a certified teacher in the classroom at all times). In many of the junior high schools, the main teachers will not use the ALT for anything beyond reading the dialogues aloud for a pronunciation model unless the ALT takes some initiative and presents a ready to go lesson plan that makes better use of the ALT.

homersimpson · Joined: 14 Feb 2003 Posts: 569 Location: Kagoshima

Celeste · Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2003 9:57 am Post subject:

I let them sit at the back of the room and do nothing- if they aren't interested, then I'd rather they not stand in front of the kids looking bored. Smile

belleyeuxchan8023 · Joined: 28 Mar 2003 Posts: 2

Hi,

Celeste is right about the legal aspect. A Japanese teacher may leave you to it and not attend the class (happened to a few teachers I knew, and while this was allowed we heard that if it went south that we'd be held responsible). Though if something goes wrong you don't have any support compared to that of the Japanese teacher - I never do it (that and my Japanese suxs).

Also, Elementary is a different story compared to junior/high school, in that you almost certainly prepare and teach the class (have yet to meet an Elementary English teacher who doesn't).

As for the original question, is it a step down - that depends were you a teacher back home and you will teach in the future? If yes, then going to NOVA my not be the best. If you're not then you'll find it is harder even if looked down on - often by those who haven't done it (more classes, less/no prep time and driven by profit as it is a business - forget sick days and summer vaction).

Why not try and work for a private company that recruits teachers for ele/junior high? Though demand in September wont be as high.

Mike L. · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 519

I was in your shoes last year, but I was also near Tokyo. I easily found a job in company that sends me to private schools. It pays more than JET but I have to work harder. In your situation I doubt that's an option.

My advice is that if you like your area so much why not work PT with Nova, it's all that's needed to maintain your visa, and make up the rest of your time with private work for cash. Have you been teaching privately? If so build on your connections. If not start doing it now. Figure out your housing too.

If you chose solely the NOVA route than you'll be taking yourself out of the evening time slot almost entirely when you could be making better money elsewhere teaching who you decide to teach and when you decide to do it. NOVA might also be a good place to glean "preffered clients."

Also don't listen to CLAIR about any post JET stuff like visas, they are useless if not downright deceptive.

You'll probably need to change your visa to a humanites visa (thus you need the PT contract). You can get a free consultation in English in larger cites immigration departments so maybe you want to make a trip in. It's really usefull.

Good luck... Cool

Willie Nelson · Joined: 27 Mar 2003 Posts: 9

Thank you for your helpful responses. I think I'm going to pass on the NOVA offer and continue to seek out other opportunities. While NOVA does seem to be a good company to work for if you want to live and work abroad, after three years on the JET Program I really want to do more than just sit in a cubicle all day. I'm more of an outdoor person anyway, and I hate wearing neckties. They're metaphorical nooses.

Mosley · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 158

Willie: I did the NOVA thing after 3(great!) years w/JET. Going to NOVA after JET IS like going from the penthouse to the doghouse. Having said that, and acknowledging the horror stories, I met some fine students and teachers there. The good thing(maybe the only good thing) about the NOVA contract is the "escape clause": 1 month's written notice & you're outta there. So you can join them & as soon as you find a better gig, bid farewell....

Willie Nelson · Joined: 27 Mar 2003 Posts: 9

Mosely, that's good to know. I wasn't aware of the NOVA escape clause. So I could conceivably go work for NOVA and continue my search for a good job on the side. That is, of course, unless I find something worthwhile before even having to say 'yes' to NOVA.

Mosely, what has your post-JET experience been like?

Mosley · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 158

I did a couple years w/ NOVA after JET. Stayed in the same city. It's a shock to the system to actually have to work for your pay-I never once felt guilty about collecting pay from NOVA! If you work w/ a good crew(foreign & Japanese) at your branch it makes all the difference in the world. Then I spent a year back in my home country and slowly turned into Mickey Rourke's character in BARFLY(but without Faye Dunaway). Now I'm in S. Korea. Quality of life isn't the same as in Japan, but it's W-A-A-A-Y easier to save money here....

matko · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 43

Mosley,

You went from jet to nova to korea Laughing

Talk about descending the ladder!!!

That would be funny (in a sad way) if it weren't true for alot of people.

I've seen alot of jets go from earning a bucketload of money for doing nothing, to finally realizing that after that gig ,they actually had to work for a living. Usually jets are young and inexperienced and party like there is no tomorrow. They don't think about saving because they think (because of their age, I presume) that their whole lives will be handed to them on a silver platter.
I'm not saying this is your case, but it is for alot of them.
I usually recommend Korea for a newbie for one year (jet exluded) and then tell them to move to Japan.
How could you not save money as a jet?
Were you the party type?
Matko

PS, this is not meant as a flame. Just curious.

Willie Nelson · Joined: 27 Mar 2003 Posts: 9

Mosely, you seem to have a world view that closely resembles my own. Thank you for your advice and exciting rebuttles. Like you, I may be doing NOVA next and then moving on to Korea. Or possibly skipping NOVA and heading straight for Pusan or Seoul. I'm holding out for a few more offers.

Matko, I'm interested in why you have such spite.

Thanks to everyone who has responded. It really has helped me form a more clear decision.

matko · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 43

Spite?

Hardly. Just telling it like it is. I could care less how a person spends their money. Just curious as to why alot of jets can't save money.

If you got "spite" out of my post, sorry to hear it.

matko · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 43

I feel the need to apologize and explain my "decending the ladder post"

What I meant is this;

I always fealt that Korea is a great place for first time esl teachers to get their foot in the door. Free airfare, free apartment and plenty of jobs. Japan tends to be a little more competetive and expensive for a first timer.
After a year or so, after gaining some experience and saving some money I recommend (if one so chooses) to get a job in Japan with one of the big schools ie. Nova or Geos. They supply a visa and help with accomodations.
After that, I recommend getting a job in a public school. Good pay and plenty of vacations.
Hence, for me Jet to Nova to Korea would be in reverse order.

I din't mean to imply that anyone was a "loser" if they went in that direction although the mocking tone of my post certainly came across that way. For that I apologize. I didn't mean from "best to worst" just from "most difficult to easiest" (I do, however consider jet to be one of the best gigs in Asia)