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.

BurnChurch · Joined: 10 Feb 2006 Posts: 34

That NOVA policy, in my own personal opinion is extremely retarded.
Students ARE customers. And NOVA IS a business. That is correct.
But Outside of the classroom I am free to do whatever the hell I want right?
It is worse than narrow minded
It is worse than seeing people as customers outside the classroom.
It is fu**ing retarded.
That makes no sense. If I wanna meet with a guy or a girl... what the hell they care?
Nova policies stands for stupidity, selfishness and fear of losing money.
How can they lose money? They have a NOVA in every corner.}
The hell with them. That makes me hate them even more.
FU** Em all

Jon Taylor · Joined: 09 Mar 2005 Posts: 238 Location: Tokyo

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Most schools outside of Japan encourage socializing with students. They plan events where both students and teachers go to different places together, like a chaperone. I used to go to lots of NBA and NHL games that way for free. I still keep in contact with a few ex-students.
Nova is a bunch of control freaks if you ask me.

I was talking to someone the other day who works at Nova. She has been there a couple years and was thinking of going up in management, however, they asked her to spy on other teachers for them to make sure they don't fraternise with students. Spying would be part of her job. Thankfully, she declined the promotion.

abufletcher · Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2006 2:48 pm Post subject:

alexrocks · Joined: 13 Feb 2006 Posts: 75 Location: Kyoto, Japan

I started dating one of my students soon after joining Nova, and a year and a half after I quit, I married her. There are several other people from various schools who have done the same.

Temujin · Joined: 14 Sep 2005 Posts: 90 Location: Osaka

sbetchel · Joined: 13 Jan 2006 Posts: 7