Comments on: NOVA Is Finished… Or Is It?

By: Daily J » Topic » What South Of Reality has to say about ESL and Nova - an exclusive interview

Mon, 21 Jan 2008 16:17:14 +0000

[...] in Japan. If you’ve had your head in the sand and have not heard about the Nova debacle, this post ought to “enlighten” (translated disgust) [...]

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 22:21:05 +0000

Long live Alexander Supertramp!

All wisdom is in the wild!

By: southofreality

southofreality — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 17:17:43 +0000

Sure, I can agree with that. I guess I was thinking more of the people who are still in their first couple of years here. But, you’re probably right. This situation will get them moving toward a more meaningful situation here in Japan.

Thanks, Mike

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 04:02:02 +0000

I know what you’re saying, but I suppose one could argue that for foreign instructors who have a life here (or at least want to have a life here) Nova going bankrupt is a blessing in disguise. I mean, they’ll have to get off their butts and find a real job, find their own accommodation like the rest of us have had to do, learn the language…

Teaching at a chain eikaiwa is great when you first arrive, but I wouldn’t think those who are serious about making a life here would want to do it long term.

By: southofreality

southofreality — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 02:47:13 +0000

Monetarily speaking (in the short term), students who signed big contracts have been hit far worse than foreign teachers who lost a couple of months pay.
But, for foreign instructors who have a life here in Japan (spouses, friends, or something that keeps them here – hell, it could be a love for the place), the situation is quite bad. The unemployment insurance won’t last forever (it’s nowhere near going into effect, yet), new jobs will have to be found, and many (if not most) need to find a new apartment, which means they’ll have to pay the usual deposits and key money.

Of course, for the backpacking EFL-er, who just came to drink a lot and shag Japanese girls/guys, I don’t have any real sympathies, other than for the loss of a couple of months of pay.

The new ‘Will teach for food campaign’ started by the NOVA Union is an embarassment to all EFL-ers here in Japan, too.