Should I go teach english in Japan?

Question

I'm thinking of signing up with Nova to go teach in Japan..
Has anyone here taught in Japan through this company or a similar one?

What should I expect?

Do you find that it's all teaching & you don't have time for anything else?

Is it fun, or do you end up depressed & lonely?

& if you've gone through Nova, what's the interview process like?

Is there anyone here who can tell me everything about their experience??

Answer 1

I taught at Nova for three years and don't have anything negative to say about them. In my opinion, they treat their teachers well. You have a fixed schedule that you work each week (and you can swap shifts with other teachers if you want), and there is the option of teaching either 34, 37, 39 or 40 lessons per week - this is usually negotiated before you arrive in Japan, but you can change it later if you want to. Lessons are 40minutes each, with 10 or 15 minutes between lessons. You will have to teach both kids and adults (some people don't like teaching kids, but there are schools that only have a couple of kids, if you don't like kids then you can request to work in one of these schools). You don't need to do much lesson planning - there are textbooks, and you just have to choose what lesson you think the students should learn. Adult classes have up to 4 students, kids have up to 8. There's no need to take work home with you, and you have heaps of time outside of work to do other stuff. I did heaps of sightseeing around Japan and was also able to save heaps of money.

It is difficult to start with because you don't know anyone, don't speak the language, are away from your family/friends. It gets easier though. Learn some basic Japanese!

The interview process was relatively easy. I submitted an online application, was then called in for an interview. The interview consisted of three stages - first, they gave a brief introduction to Nova and we were allowed to ask questions (this was done in a group), second was an individual interview where they asked the standard interview questions (why do you want the job, what will you bring to the company...), as well as some "quick-response" questions where they say something and you have to answer as quickly as possible with one word. Third was a written grammar test (really easy - if you're a native English speaker you'll have no problems!). These three stages were conducted on the same day, and it probably only lasted for about an hour.

Answer 2

I also taught at Nova for three years, and for the most part, it was a wonderful experience for me. maryss gave you some good information about teaching, lessons and the interview process, so I'll just add a little more.

Teaching can get repetitive--often you teach the same students and/or the same lessons more than once a week. After three years, it was frustrating. I recommend transfering schools on a regular basis, every six months or so. This allows you to see different parts of Japan, as well as meet different students and teachers.

Teaching children can be challenging, especially the Kinder (3-5 year olds) kids. Often, their English is non-existent, they're afraid of foreigners, and are very clingy to their mothers still.

Keep in mind, each school is different because the teachers and students are different. My first school was a large one (17 total classrooms), but I also taught in schools with only 4 classrooms.

Just as being in Japan is what you make it, and so is teaching for Nova. Nova does have it's drawbacks, especially when compared to Aeon, Berlitz, Geos or ECC, but you can enjoy your experience. However, there are many teachers who have taught in Nova for a long time, and have almost nothing positive to say about Nova or Japan. Sometimes this is for good reason, but again, your experiences are as good as you want them to be.

I met my wife (who was also a Nova teacher) in Japan at a Nova teacher's Christmas party. We got married in Japan (been married almost five years), raised our daughter in Japan the first year of her life, and now that we're back in the States, we miss it. We definitely will go back to Japan someday and teach English again (though part time instead of full time), and would consider teaching at Nova again.

Answer 3

Hello I have lived in Japan as an English teacher for 8 years. Like the other posters said I would recommend not using Nova. They are on the General Union Black List (it is a workers union that allows foreigners to join). You can check out the list on Japan.Survival-Links.Com.
I believe that you can have a lot of fun and save money teaching here in Japan.
Just like any other job interview you are choosing them as well, so ask questions.
If you enjoy the bar scene then you will have a good time and never be bored.
If you like to kick back with friends an have a barbecue on the weekend you will have a good time.
Japan is just like any other place. It is up to you to make things happen. If you are an apartment rat, then you know what to expect. Joining a club is a great idea. There are many many other activities.
I would recommend checking out
http://www.japan.survival-links.com/
to get some information before you come to Japan and
http://friends.japan.survival-links.com/
to meet some people who are living in Japan (and around the world :) it will help you get a better idea of what to expect.

Good Luck and Please do come to Japan!

Answer 4

You will have an 8 hour work day 5 days a week. There will still be lots of time for other activities. Yes, it is fun, but in the beginning is tough. I lived in Japan for 3 years and I'd say I felt uncomfortable for about the first 3-4 months. There will be lots of ups and downs. Don't use NOVA. There are other companies that are better. Aeon, Berlitz,.....
www.gaijinpot.com has other options.

First, you'll have to fill out an application. Probably online. Then they'll contact you for an interview. Then they send you paperwork to take to the Japanese Embassy. Then you get your visa and go to Japan to begin your job.

I taught for 3 years and loved it. The beginning was tough but then I was happy the rest of the time. I recommend you study some basic Japanese and join a gym or some other kind of group/activity. Go out and be social. Have fun!

Answer 5

Like the previous answerers, I'd recommend working for basically anyone other than NOVA. They have the lowest standards and the worst reputation for how they treat teachers. Some people do have good experiences with NOVA, but you would likely be better off with anyone else. AEON, GEOS, Berlitz, one of the small schools, anyone. There are reasons why people are advising you against NOVA, and it's in your best interest to consider this advice carefully.

Teaching is a full-time job, and you will likely wind up having to put in (unpaid!) extra hours just to prep for all your lessons...especially when you're starting out. But you will have two days off per week (many teachers work Tuesday-Saturday and get Sunday and Monday off), and some vacation time. I managed to get in a lot of traveling when I was teaching in Japan.

There were times when I felt depressed and lonely, but that was not because of the job but because I was in a foreign country, didn't know anyone outside work, and couldn't speak Japanese very well. I had to work on being more adventurous and outgoing. I was also embarrassed to ask my coworkers for help at first, and wound up wasting a lot of time trying to figure things out for myself when one of them could easily have explained it to me. Once I overcame these hangups of my own, I had a lot more fun.

At your interview, you will probably have to present a short lesson that you've prepared in advance. Don't agonize about the content, just pick some common situation or grammar element and go with it. At this stage, the recruiters are most interested in your poise, speaking voice, enthusiasm, and mannerisms.

You may also be given a topic and asked to prepare a brief lesson on the spot. This is to judge how well you work under pressure and how good you are at explaining things clearly.

Aside from this, the interviewers will ask you a lot of the usual questions about your work experience and interest in the job. They'll also ask questions meant to judge your interest in Japan and how well they think you'll be able to handle living there. They want to feel certain that you aren't going to flake out and break your contract. You want to show that you can handle being in a foreign environment and that you can deal with potentially stressful situations.

Answer 6

Uh...I have heard a lot of horror stories about working for Nova...high turn-over rate. If you want to come over with Nova, that is fine, but I would suggest considering switching to another company or career sometime after arriving.
Though the money is good, and schedules are often flexible, many teachers end up expressing that they wish they had chosen a more challenging career and want out.
Another down-side with English teaching is that it can stifle one's desire/need to learn Japanese, making one more liable to stick only with foreigners and/or feeling isolated and lonely.
So I would suggest that while working at Nova or some other English school, study Japanese and prepare yourself to jump into another, more stimulating field.

Answer 7

Like he says, use Nova to get there and then move on.