Job Discussion Forums

rwnorman · Joined: 27 Apr 2003 Posts: 3

I'd like to elicit some opinions about GEOS and NOVA. I've read a lot of posts about both and I've just been offered positions at both. Do I like to sell things? No, but if this is part of the business I'll do it. Do I like to have time off? Yes--and it seems GEOS has more vacations days but NOVA has more flexible schedules. Has anyone out there worked for both? Can anyone list some pros and cons?

Guest · Posted: Fri May 02, 2003 8:54 am Post subject:

I think your chances of finding someone who has worked for both are quite slim. Usually one big school is enough for anyone.

I can give you the "official" pros of GEOS, as in the ones you were probably told in your interview.
You will teach the same students in the same classes week in week out. No one will cover your classes and you will not be required to cover for anyone else. This should help you get to know your students better and helps them to bond better as a group.
GEOS not only allows you to social with your students it actively encourages it. If you want to mix with Japanese people this is by far the easiest way.
GEOS texts are written by native speakers for Japanese students and address the specific problems Japanese encounter when learning English.

Hope this helps. I can't give you comparison as such, as I haven't worked for NOVA. Good luck.

Sunpower · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 256 Location: Taipei, TAIWAN

Sunpower · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 256 Location: Taipei, TAIWAN

And also, NOVA will fire you if any of the staff, teachers, supervisors see you hanging out with students.

A lot of teachers and supervisors do hang out/date their students but I've also seen a few guys get canned over it.

macrafferty · Joined: 03 May 2003 Posts: 3

How long are you going to Japan for?
What do you want from your experience? Professional working environment? Don't choose N. If you can't tolerate simpletons working above you, Don't choose N.
However, If its a flexible schedule that you're after, you can do shift swaps - eg work 14 days in a row to have 5 off at N, but you only get ten pain hols per year and they don't come along until you've completed 6 months of your contract. Money wise, there's alot of opportunity for overtime etc at N. I have no idea about G, but I know that people are pretty happy when their last day at N comes up.
That's true about the no teacher/student socialising rule. I know two people burned by that rule. I think half the experience in Japan is to make Japanese friends and socialising with students is an excellent way to make some if you're only there for a short time. Its also great for your students. At my other job in Japan, going out with students was actually part of my contract. It was marvellous. Lots of fun had by all. Leaving N was the best thing I ever did.
I suppose it depends on your priorities and reasons for going to Japan.
But i like the sound of G compared to N
Anyway, you can always jump ship if your not happy and have a look for other work. No one can take your Visa away from you once you've got it!

ryuro · Joined: 22 Apr 2003 Posts: 91

Howdy,

I guess I have a bit of a unique perspective on this topic- I worked for GEOS and my girlfriend at that time (now my wife) worked for NOVA.

I would have to say on the balance GEOS is a better deal. However, that being said it really depends on your school and co-workers. My wife had no real complaints about her NOVA school (aside from the usual stuff we teachers always moan about over beers in the bar) largely because she had good Japanese staff and great western co-wrokers (there are always a few morons- but what can you do?)

I had a GREAT time at my school and it's completely due to the Japanese staff I with whom I worked (there was only one other native teacher at my school). It was really a case of our managers being on "our side" and not head office's. Therefore we did everything we could to help them stay in good graces with head office and they did everything they could to make our lives easy and enjoyable (fudging paperwork and reports, punching us in and out if we had no first or last period classes, etc...).

So what's my point??? It may not really matter what big school you choose (six one way/half dozen the other) if you get the luck of the draw and get a good school- in either case you'll probably have a great time.

But in my opinion and experience, I really do think GEOS offers the best deal (better schedules, holidays, insurance, etc...) all other things being equal.

Good Luck!

ryuro

Guest · Posted: Tue May 06, 2003 7:05 pm Post subject:

I'm behind ryuro completely on this. I had great mangers and co-workers too, and that really made a difference. Unfortunately no school can guarantee that.