Job Discussion Forums

[ndb26]

Hi,
I am looking for some advice about teaching in Japan for a year. I have been looking at all the options and particularly the companies mentioned above such as ecc/nova/geos. all of them have their advantages and disadvantages but I was wondering which is best for my circumstances. I am 26, have a BA degree but no teaching experience. i have never lived in Asia before and am just looking to do it for a year, Im not interested in teaching as a long term career. Nova have the advantage of doing all the visas flights etc and organising accomodation but then this site is full of negative reports about working for them. The others seem to have better conditions such as holiday allowance but dont offer the same choice of locations as nova. I would be doing this on my own and I dont know anyone out there so the locations or companies who afford the better opportunities to get to know both locals and other foreign teachers would probably be best, any help is much appreciated!!

[Celeste]

I think that if you are truly only going to stay for a year then you will probably be fine at Nova. The only problem you may encounter is that you will not have much time off, and therefore will not be able to do much sightseeing outside of your own region. For some this is not an issue. For those of us who are long term teachers, we would warn each other off Nova, but for those looking for a short term job in a foreign country, Nova is a good bet.

[Blackmaninjapan]

What you could do is apply to them all then go through each interview then you can rate them.


Here is a quick run-down...

Aeon - very professional, they don't just accept anyone with a pulse, they require you to do a group interview, followed by a personal one on one interview. They take care of your visa, housing, train pass and they basically help you out alot if this is the first time to a new country they are pretty good. With Aeon though alot depends on your branch manager they and the japanese staff, they can make your life a living hell...

Nova - is a joke, they will accept anyone with a pulse. But from what I hear the Nova teachers make more money than Aeon teachers and do less preparation than the Aeon teachers. There are some shady things about Nova but it ain't all the bad if you don't mind being an entertainer.

Smaller schools - I wouldn't go to a smaller school unless, I was in Japan, you don't really know what you are getting your self into but after a few months applying to a smaller school is the way to go. Less work and more money... At least with Aeon and Nova you know they aren't going to be fly by night. You will get paid if you put in your hours.

Ok that is my 2 cents,

Hope it helps

[ndb26]

thanks for your help, I might do as you suggested and apply to a few companies, I suppose nova have the advantage of many moe branches around the country even if their conditions and professionalism is questionable!!

[PAULH]

[PAULH]

[olorin]

[InLimbo]

We are all aware of the negative sentiment (experiences) toward
NOVA. I am not a NOVA teacher, and cannot vouch for its integrity,
or lack thereof.

In any case, what I can say about NOVA is that it can and does provide
opportunities for those willing to teach English in Japan. I'm not
just referring to someone with a pulse. I recently applied and am still
waiting for the results of my interview. I not only have a four-year
university degree from one of the most prestigious unversities in
America, but I also have a CELTA certificate. I'm not only qualified
to teach English, but I would like to make it a career.

I lived in Japan for several months and have an intermediate level
of Japanese, which makes it that much easier for me to adjust
to the culture and lifestyle. That said, after applying to more than
a dozen institutions, NOVA was pretty much the only organization
willing to even consider the possibility of employing me. I am grateful
for that and would enjoy working for them.

During the company information session, the presenter made it clear to
us that there are many NOVA teachers who do have bad experiences.
However, when you're talking about the largest private sector employer
of foreign nationals, how can you not? Teaching English in Japan is
not for everyone, just as it is with any job. If you're willing to commit
yourself to your duties and responsibilities, are open-minded and willing
to adjust to an entirely different culture, and have an amiable
personality then the experience of teaching in Japan (not just with NOVA)
will definitely be a positive and rewarding experience.

NOVA is the largest of the private language schools for a reason.
If all those negative experiences you read about were true for
a large percentage of the NOVA teachers, then the company
would probably no longer be around...

[PAULH]

If I could qualify my post:

I was referiiing to people thinking of teaching in Japan, have never set foot here, have never taught English, have no teaching qualifications, are seeking a job with one of the language schools, yet see fit to pass judgement and make opinions on the quality or businesses or language schools whom at the same time are counting on to pay them a salary.

I admit when you are in Chicago or LA and have only NOVA or GEOS to choose from you dont have much choice in the matter, but for a person with no education or teaching background to call NOVA unprofessional is a little hollow IMO. FWIW NOVA has been around since 1991, is a publicly listed company in Japan has over 250 branches and employs several thousand teachers every year. You have to remeber also that many of these teachers are straight out of college, have never held a full-time job in their life, are travelling overseas for the first time, do not speak Japanese and many are goind through the thralls of culture shock. Working in Japan is not the same at LA or New York and US laws and customs do not apply here.

I also want to mentiion that even though the last poster mentions that he has a degree from a well respected and 'name7 university, that sort of stuff means jack s**t over here. All they are interested iin his whether you have a degree and when you can start teaching. There are teachers from a dozen different countries with all manner of degree and immigration doesnt really care where your degree comes from, much less the people you work with. I have a Masters degree from temple University in philadephia and its not that big a deal- no one asks or cares where you go your degree (unless perhaps the school wants to advertise the caliber of its teaching staff). What is more important is whether you have the 'right stuff' in the classroom, can actually teach a lesson and actually know what you are doing. If you have a law degree from stanford, that doesnt really help you better in a NOVA classroom than someone who did a TESL degree at a community college or a CELTA course.

[ndb26]

Hi,
I should clarify something from my original post, although I stated that I am not interested in being a teacher long term I would still fully commit to it and take it seriously for the year or so that I would do the teaching, who knows If I find it I may even stay on longer. My point wa that I wanted to know which language institute was best suited to my situation, the only reason I mentioned the holiday situation was that I will need to return home here to the UK next April for a week for family reasons and was concerned about Novas small allowance plus their insistance on not taking it for the first six months. Im not too concerned about holiday allowance apart from that, I know its not a holiday and Im out there to work. I know Nova have the advantage of having more branches and more choice of where you can go. I was just interested in opinions from those already doing this to say what the situation was with the different language institutes.

[PAULH]

[PAULH]

1. Please describe the type of person that your company is looking for when recruiting new EFL teachers.

We are seeking motivated individuals who are native speakers of the language they plan to teach (English, French, German, Spanish, Chinese, Italian). A Bachelor's Degree from a recognized college or university is a company requirement, and an Immigration Department condition for visa sponsorship.

2. What is the current salary range for new teachers in your company? Be specific.

Monthly salaries for full-time instructors range between a maximum JY 304,000 and a minimum JY 274,000 in the Tokyo region and between JY 285,000 and JY 255,000 in Kyushu. Salaries for other regions of Japan fall between these figures. Factors affecting salary are location, formal qualifications, and work schedule.

3. Is there a "Probationary Period" for new employees? If so, what exactly does this mean in terms of salary for new teachers?

Yes, there is a probationary period of two full salary months. Salary range is JY 250,000 to JY 259,000, dependent on location in Japan.

4. How many hours a week is a new teacher expected to be present in her school?

A full time instructor needs to be present in the branch for about 34 hours a week.

5. How many teaching "contact" hours does a teacher in your school typically have in one week?

Contact hours are between about 26.5 and 28.5 hours per week. The regular full-time teaching schedule consists of 40 lessons per week, each 40 or 45 minutes in length.

6. Teachers in our organization PRIMARILY use:
a.only materials selected by our company
b. materials chosen by the individual teacher.

Nova provides the materials instructors use in the lessons. The curriculum is set, but instructors are encouraged to adapt this material with activities and realia relevant to their students. Lessons are tailored to the students' interests and language needs.

7. How many days of PAID VACATION does a new teacher get her first year?

About three weeks. The first contract provides 10 discretionary paid holidays (two workweeks) after six months. Additionally, the branches are closed for 8-9 days over the New Years' Holiday period. Full time instructors receive their regular days off plus 5 or 6 paid holidays.

8. Of these vacation days, how many can the TEACHER take at her discretion?

Ten, in the first contract. In subsequent contracts, the allotted number increases, by one day in the first contract and by two days per year thereafter. �

9. Do teachers in your organization work Japanese National Holidays?

Yes. This is a period of very high demand from our students, so we wish to maximize their opportunities to study.

10. Do your teachers receive private or shared subsidized accommodation?

Yes, Nova will arrange furnished accommodation for those instructors who require it. There are none of the start up costs typically associated with housing in Japan. Instructors are not obliged to live in company-arranged accommodation; they are free to make their own alternate arrangements. Accommodation is either private or shared company apartments or single/ couple apartments arranged through private real estate agents.

11. What is the average rental charge to a new teacher?

Rent is determined primarily by region and ranges from a minimum of JY 40,000 in Kyushu to a maximum JY 74,000 in Tokyo. Most rental properties would fall in the mid-range.

12. What type of Health Insurance do you provide to a new teacher?

Instructors can choose the option that best suits them, including Japanese private or public insurance, travel insurance, or private insurance arranged through the home country. Additionally, Nova provides access to Japan Medical Assistance, a company offering a travel insurance policy to Nova instructors which includes 100% reimbursement for medical and prescription costs and provides members with language assistance and information on medical institutions.

13. What is the cost of this insurance?

JMA costs JY 6,000/month.

14. Do you offer an end-of-contract bonus? If so, how much is the bonus?

There is no lump sum end-of-contract bonus. If the contract is renewed, a salary increment (up to JY 20,000/month) is awarded based on performance throughout the year.

15. Do you provide Japanese language lessons for new teachers? If so, please describe this benefit, and the cost, if any, to the teacher.

Nova does not offer Japanese classes to students or instructors. However, instructors are eligible for a staff discount for lessons in languages offered by the company: English, French, German, Spanish, Chinese, and Italian (cost is approximately JY 1,500 per lesson)

16. Please describe any additional benefits provided to new teachers by your organization.

Paid training: Instructors undergo paid training during work hours. The probationary period contains several extensive training seminars.

Fixed schedule and location: Instructors can expect a consistent weekly schedule, allowing them to plan other regular activities outside work hours. Nova also offers a fixed working location, which eliminates time-consuming travel from location to location. Instructors are not required to attend company functions or mandatory social events outside regular working hours.

Schedule flexibility: In addition to ten discretionary paid holidays, it is possible for instructors to arrange shift swaps with their colleagues. Nova also allows instructors to reduce their scheduled lessons within non-peak hours (weekdays between 1:20 and 5:00p.m.)

Flexible start date: Because Nova does not operate on a semester system, contract starting dates are available throughout the year.

Transfer opportunities: Applicants can state a preference for a geographical region of Japan. With over 450 branches throughout the country, instructors are living and working in a wide range of locations. Individual preferences or requests, while not guaranteed, are always considered. Additionally, instructors can apply for a transfer of location mid-contract.

Promotion opportunities: Instructors who are interested in advancement are eligible for promotion to supervisory positions. Further promotion opportunities exist in areas including personnel management, curriculum development, administration, publishing, translation, and overseas recruiting.

Travel costs: The company reimburses the cost of a monthly pass on public transportation. Public transportation costs to training shifts are also reimbursed.

17. What is your advice to someone who wants to teach English in Japan?

Determine your goals in coming to Japan. Consider both what you want from, and what you are willing to give to, a teaching position. Prepare for teaching by doing some research about ESL techniques. Define what is important to you in your experience in Japan: location? Flexibility? Career? Be prepared for a different culture and keep an open mind about all the new experiences you will encounter.

Sincerely, Sheila Mooney Supervisor Tokyo Foreign Personnel