Job Discussion Forums

cangel · Joined: 12 May 2003 Posts: 74 Location: Jeonju, South Korea

I was a JET for three years and after returning to the United States I realized that I wanted to return to Japan. I have an interview next month with NOVA and I have a few questions (Yes I have already explored the site for the answers to my questions). Prior to going to Japan on JET, I earned a MSED in TESOL. The NOVA literature says that there is an extra stipend for having a Masters or a number of other qualifications so my questions is, how much is the extra stipend? My other questions is how easy, or difficult, is it to get promoted and what kind of time frame are we looking at? I have read the posts by some who say that only "yes" employees get promoted. Is this true? Your help is greatly appreciated.

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

Im not sure but I have heard that the stipend for having a Masters degree at NOVA is the princely sum of 5,000 yen a month or about $US40. That doesnt even really pay for beer money considering the cost of acquiring the degree in the first place.

This is only my opinion, but you would be better off coming over, perhaps working with NOVA in the beginning and seeking out positions part time in universities or high schools where your advanced qualifications and teaching experience would be more greatly valued.

kamome · Joined: 01 Jul 2003 Posts: 19 Location: Hokkaido

It's largely true. Only "yes" people get promoted at NOVA. They don't like people with their own ideas who might rock the boat. If you're an experienced teacher it'll likely work against you..............they don't reward experience/teaching ability as a rule. That's what I found anyway.

Like Paul says I'd use them ( or another eikawa ) to get a visa and look for something better when you arrive...............

There are lots of better jobs than NOVA in Japan.

voodoochild · Joined: 04 Apr 2003 Posts: 80

I have a question on the Nova thing.....

If you work for them for say 2 months and then leave do you still get to keep the work visa?

cheers

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

Wolf · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 1245 Location: Middle Earth

lajzar · Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Posts: 647 Location: Saitama-ken, Japan

A particularly vindictive employer could cancel your visa if a) they were the original sponsor and b) you never actually worked for them. This is apparently pretty unusual though.

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

The law doesn't demand one month. Japanese law requires 2 weeks.

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

lajzar,

How could an employer cancel your visa? Immigration issues it, not the employer.

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

Yeah, Glenski makes sense. YOu've got the thing right there in your passport. How could they refute it? I've heard that once you've got it you've got it. What you might find tough if you pull a fast one is getting it renewed through another sponsor.

ANyone done that?

Visas used to be yearly things or at least that was the deal for me in '98. But lately they have been giving three years out in one go. Great if you want to only work at NOVA for two months.

Personally I wouldn't consider working at NOVA for ten minutes. I do cherish a secret desire to visit a local NOVA for a free look-see class as a French speaker with no English though and throw the teacher curves the whole lesson in horribly murdered Franglais. Just doN7t have the nerve though. Very Happy

ruggedtoast · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 81 Location: tokyo

You can come to my school and try and "throw me curves" if you like. I think you"d regret it though.

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

Eh... how's that... you speak fluent French I guess and would spot me immediately. That would be a bummer Shocked

Or is it that you have refined the art of hitting curves pitched your way? Do tell if you have any good techniques for questions like "But why do I need an s for he she and it?" or "Teacher what's the difference between "How are you?" and "How are you doing?""

ruggedtoast · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 81 Location: tokyo

I think youd regret it because youre a patronising longwinded idiot who thinks it would be fun to go and wind up someone whos trying to do their job but would end up wasting an hour of their time just so that they could end up on a piece of paper in a filing cabinet recording they had a basic level of english.