For anyone interested in teaching ESL in Japan it can be tough knowing which company to work for. This article, by a writer who has lived and worked in and around Japan's language industry, previously as an English conversation teacher and now as a lecturer and text writer, will help you make the right choice for you.
Teaching ESL in Japan
offers numerous rewards, both financial and personal. But, which company is the
best for you to go with? Who gives the best vacations and remuneration? And who
gives the best working schedule or the most help in setting up in Japan?
Here is a look the big companies hiring the majority of new ESL teachers in Japan
and what they have to offer teachers intending to spend some time teaching ESL
in Japan.
The Big Three ESL Companies
NOVA
Nova is by far the biggest English Conversation School Chain in Japan
with schools throughout the land and a massive advertising budget that means
not a day passes without seeing a Nova TV commercial or subway poster. Although
popular with students, NOVA has a high turnover of teachers with many leaving
after only six months to join other schools with better contracts.
NOVA also has a negative reputation among many teachers and a
non-socialization policy with students outside of class. That said NOVA is one
of the easiest ways to get Japan
in the first place.
Salary
During the first three months at Nova teachers are on a probationary period
where their salary will range between 222,000 and 229,000 yen a month ($1980 -
2045). After the probationary period, salaries rise to a maximum of 285,000 yen
a month ($2545), with a possible annual pay increase of up to 15,000 ($135) a
month after the first year.
Holidays
NOVA teachers work five days a week, usually including weekends, with two
typically consecutive week days off. Where vacations are concerned, ex-NOVA teachers
are often heard to say that NOVA is short for NOVAcation. Teachers only receive
10 annual flexible holidays and eight fixed days off around New Years. They are
also expected to work on Christmas day and all Japanese national holidays.
A plus for NOVA teachers, however, is a shift swap system that allows
teachers to swap working days with each other at short notice. This can be
useful if you want a day off to go to a concert or to give yourself a long
weekend.
The Schedule
A standard working day at NOVA would be an eight hour shift starting from
1000 or 1300 with an hour for lunch included, or a short shift from 1700 t0
2100. Total working hours each week amount to just over 30, all of which is
done at one location.
Teachers can expect to teach a variety of adult group lessons, kid’s
classes, test preparation classes and maybe even web lessons.