Job Discussion Forums

[gimmebear]

I am going to Japan with Nova in early 2005. I want some advice on places in Japan. I read that some schools are different than others. Which are the schools with bad reps and which are the ones with good reps? And on the same topic, is there a place in Japan that is just great to be. Where should I want to teach. I figure I`ll go to Tokyo because there is no end of things to do or people to meet. I guess I just don`t want to risk ending up in some small place with nothing to do.

And another quick question. With like 35 contact hours a week there`s not much time for lesson planning. I guess what I want to know is if you are required to do any work outside of class time.

Thanks. All your comments will be greatly appreciated.

[gimmebear]

I just wanted to clarify something.
I meant that some Nova schools are better than others. So which Nova schools are the ones I should stay away from?

[Skrybe]

Regarding the reputation of various schools.... it really doesn't matter. Nova doesn't really function on a school by school basis with individually run franchises, it is a true centrally controlled franchise operation. Trianers, AT's, Managers, and staff can and will be rotated through different schools. Since I started about two months ago, I have seen two sets of trainers, AT's and staff.

When you ask about reputation, I am guessing that what you mean is "where will the cool people be?" If you are lucky, perhaps you will become friends with your coworkers, and go to the Izakayas after work. If not, then just be civil and professional, and treat the experience as a jay-oh-bee (job)

When you come to Nova, don't think about yourself as a teacher, but as an instructor. Though the Quest books are a bit older, there is a new set of books being released right now, and there are also set lesson plans for all of the older books which correspond with the model laid out in the new books. Basically, your lesson plans are already made, and you won't be allowed to deviate from them. So your challenge will be in task management. Can you communicate what you need to, in the sectioned timeslots allotted?

Anyways... My point is that the lessons are prepared, you never know who you will work with, and most of all... you have no choice about what school you will be going to.

Nova is the biggest English beast in this country. It has a little more than 50% of the market share, and that is because it is everywhere (Yes, some people describe Aeon, ACC, Goes, etc as 'big' schools, but the largest of them has only perhaps a 10% market penetration). From where I live there are a good twenty or more branches that are closer to me than the one I work at. Anyone could be good or bad, but how would I or almost anyone know enough to compare?

Good or bad all depends on how you decide to approach the job. If you are here to do other things, with teaching as a side that you sort of care about, but not really, then every Nova branch may be a bad branch for you. Whatever your plans, they hired you to work, follow their rules, be professional, and be on time. When that starts interfering with having fun, as it often does, life can really suck, and resentments can really build. It won't be the company's fault, because they are quite upfront about their operation. It will be your own fault for not really taking hard look at what you want to do versus what you need to do.

Unlike many who have given voice to grievances and burning issues with our beloved Usagi the Bunny ( gotta love that one), I actually enjoy working at Nova. It's nice to have a job you can completely leave behind the second you walk out the door. A job where the work is set, the tasks defined, the rules don't change, the pay is on time, and responsibilities are defined. May sound boring, but coimpared with many other jobs I have had, this is heaven.

[Glenski]

[BradS]

I think it's funny how you think you get to decide on which school you teach at. No matter what they tell you, it's their choice, not yours.

I think you'll like it no matter where you go.

[AgentMulderUK]

[Karoons]

It`s true that when you first arrive you don`t get to choose which school you go to. But if you`re not happy you can request a transfer after you finish probation (3 months). I`ve known a few teachers do this but usually just because they fancy a change rather than hate their school. Most of them were transferred to the branch they specifically requested too.
I`ve been at the same school for 2 and half years. I havn`t changed schools because most of the people I work with are great and the very, very few that annoy me I can put up with. You have to deal with that in any job. I`ve heard a few horror stories about some terrible bosses etc. but on the whole you shouldn`t have a problem.

[gimmebear]

Thanks for all your advice.

I suppose I will stick with my original intention of going to Tokyo and, if things do work as they are supposed to, hopefully I will get to go there. My question about where to go was simply concerning what I would be able to do with my free time. I have also read about how Nova schools have been known to differ. But from your responses, maybe it`s not so easy to tell them apart. Of course, I understand that I am going there to work full time. It`s just hard to know really what is happening when so many out there give conflicting opinions. I appreciate the opinions nonetheless.

[stillnosheep]

Some girls are bigger than others.
Some girls' mothers are bigger than other girls' mothers
Some girls are bigger than others....