E.S.L. Protester Official Web Site
Nova Page
1
NOVA are a very silly bunch of people doing a very silly bunch of things. As
Obi Wan Kenobi might say - "Who's the more foolish - the fool or the fool
who follows him?"
To be honest, all big English companies - nay, all companies are a bunch of
scallywags, rapscallions and all round tinkers. You're better off working
for Mr Donut or something.
Oh, you can also get fired for doodling on the textbooks and planting
Cannabis in the waiting area.
Good luck. Eat lots of vegetables. Always treat your neighbour
like.....someone who lives next door to you.
Submitted by unknown
2
Nova, is one of the largest English conversation schools in Japan
and is very well known. There are over 300 schools and a couple thousand instructors.
The pay is pretty good - about average among the other schools.
Lowest starting at 250,000 yen per month. Lots of overtime available
and the pay is good too. You can make lots more money depending
on your schedule too. Evenings and on Sundays gets paid more.
You'll be teaching about 8 lessons a day and lessons are 40 min.
and 45 min. depending on the time of day. I think the morning is
longer. Between each lesson there is a 10 min. break which Nova
says you can do anything you want during that break, but in reality
you end up writing student files and planning your next lesson.
It's a way for them to save money. They don't have to pay you
for your work. But just about every school is like that. They'll nickel and dime you!
At your interview you'll think that the red carpet will be rolled
out for you and that you are really making it big - especially if
this is your first job fresh out of university. But when you get
to Japan, you'll be just another number. Another native English
speaker to throw into a room and entertain the students.
Turn over rate in Nova is about 6 months, so if you don't like the
people you work with, don't worry. Stick around a little longer and you'll be in charge.
Ask to get your own apartment, or a "gaijin house". Try to avoid
the Nova apartments. You'll end up paying far more than what it's
really worth, and you'll get stuck with roommates too.
Just go to your interview and ask lots of questions and be professional.
Wear a nice suit and use your best English. Remember that what
they are really checking for is if you have a pulse. They'll hire anyone. No Joke!
Get over to Japan, get some experience and then get a better job!
Good luck!
Submitted by unknown
3
If you are thinking about joining NOVA, don`t. I am a NOVA teacher
for over a year and they are the worst company I`ve ever worked for. Why?
1) By law you must get National Holidays, you will not get these
at NOVA. This is more than 2 weeks a year paid leave you are not getting!
2) NOVA will pay your train pass, BUT if you take unpaid leave,
they will cut the proportional amount from your salary. You still
have to pay full whack for your train ticket but you don`t even get the full amount back.
3) If you are late for any lesson, even by 5 minutes, they will
cut 4 lessons from your salary. That is half a days wages automatically gone.
4) If you rent a house from them, they will charge you at least
15,000 to 20,000 Yen above the current market value. That is over
200,000 Yen a year which you are being conned out of.
5) You have to pay for your medical insurance, at least 6,000 Yen
every month. This should be provided free.
6) If you thinking of becoming a teacher, don`t work for this company.
They are not even a school, they are purely there to make a profit.
7) Do encourage students NOT to buy the GINGA NET or the NOVA ACADEMY.
These are ways to con the student out of their money.
8) Do expect any to get any respect from NOVA. You are just another disposal foreigner. You are easy to replace.
9) Avoid NOVA. Otherwise you will regret it.
Submitted by unknown
4
Message:
One additional point that I didn't see in the otherwise comprehensive
stories above is Nova's complaint system. Although they will of
course make it sound as though you were the big nasty foreigner
victimizing the poor Japanese students, the truth is a bit different.
According to the General Union (of which I am a proud member,)
Nova staff have been known to solicit complaints from students or
even fabricate them outright if management tells them to. Thus,
when your Titled Teacher or AAM has "the talk" when they say how
horrible you've been, most of the complaints are undated and unattributed.
Admittedly, in my experience, my Titled Teacher cited a specific
incident which didn't surprise me. For the most part, however,
they've been anonymous and basically bullshit.
What it comes down to, as has already been said, is that Nova simply
wants the students money. If you don't kiss ass and smile, you'll
soon find yourself in a sales booth with management as I have once
too often.
My advice is-stay away! I only wish I had that known
before, and that I had left sooner than I am.
Submitted by: Unknown
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