Questions about NOVA?

Question

Alright, so I've thought about applying to Nova. I know, it's not exactly the best job in the world, but I'm doing this because I don't plan to stay long with them. I'll be living there in Japan under a spousal visa and my questions are:

1. Does Nova conduct interviews if I already live in Japan?
2. After you leave, how long before you can re-apply to work there?
3. How many holidays (vacation days) do you get? Do they roll over into the next year or do you HAVE to use them or else?

Yes, I realize NOVA stinks, they overwork the teachers, yadda yadda, but again, I don't think I'm going to stay more than 2 years on that job because my fiance and I plan to have children and I'd like to stay home and raise my son/daughter until he's able to go to school. Then, I will shoot for a better job.
My husband believes I can get a better teaching job since I am certified to teach, my university degree is in Education and I've taught for 3 years. I hope so
Thanks for your help, folks.

Answer 1

I don't really understand why everyone bags NOVA so much - I worked there for over two years and never had any problems.

1. Yes, they conduct interviews if you are already in Japan.
2. To the best of my knowledge, you can leave and reapply immediately - I know someone who quit, went home for 3months, then came back, he had to redo all the training but you get paid for training so he didn't care!
3. You only get 10 paid holidays in the first year, and an additional day for each year you work there, plus the new year period (paid holidays, usually about7-8 days) when NOVA closes. You are also able to take leave without pay and you can swap your shifts with other teachers. The vacation days don't roll over to the next year. When I worked there, I was able to take a 3week vacation (2weeks paid leave, swap 2 days with other teachers and 3 days unpaid) and there were no problems in getting this time off.

Given your qualifications and experience, you will be able to get more pay than other teachers (who aren't qualified teachers) get at NOVA.

Answer 2

I agree w Michinoku 200%!!

You will actually have so many options open to you--with your visa status and qualifications there is no reason for you to work at an eikaiwa.

Here is a HUGE reason to NOT do it--working at an eikaiwa is pretty much like working at a restaurant--ie you will be working every evening and every weekend! Nova is for young people who come to Japan knowing no one--all their friends work at Nova too and they all go hang together after work.

But for those who already have a life--no, don't do it.
You need to work as an ALT--at a normal school w normal hours, which includes over 30 days of holidays per year. Yes, this is what you want! You can go on vacation w everyone else in Japan and enjoy life for a change. Or, you could teach private students and make your own hours (it can take a little while to find good students though.) Or, you could teach adult classes at a Japanese company--also a day job. You'd have to make a connection w an English school to get that sort of job, but you are definitely qualified and a prime candidate for this type of gig.

Answer 3

You can do better. Try Interac, OTC, and the other outfits that send teachers out to do corporate teaching or be an ALT. Mom and Pop type eikaiwa schools might want you too. They may not be able to be visa sponsors, so they would really like someone like you. With your visa status and qualifications, there is no need for you to be beholden to NOVA.

Answer 4

Yeah, they conduct interviews there in NOVA. There is a phone number on their website.

They don't have any rules regarding #2. I recommend you ask them in person.

No, they don't role over. You had better use them or they are gone. They don't have as many vacation days as most English schools.

Answer 5

i know some english conversation teachers.
they also have private lessons secretly.
you already have experience so try nova first and get some private lessons.
if you are good at teaching there are lots of japanese who wanna learn english conversation !