Let's Japan.org Debunking Eikaiwa and Ramblings in Japan

A friend emailed me to say that he'd been called to start work again at the same salary and conditions (this is at one of the Kanagawa branches). This contradicts some of the previous comments posted. Quite confusing. Has anyone else been called back to work, where, and what were you told re salary and conditions?

Hi. Apparently Chigasaki NOVA school will be re-opening today. Does anyone else know about that, or have any information about other schools?

Ouch. There's nothing foolish about hoping this works out when you've got no other choice. Not everyone has a new job lined up or a ticket home. If this GCom thing can stop the bleeding until `dude` finds something better, then fair enough. It's only foolish if you don't have a plan B.

I was called in to work for one of the Kanagawa branches and the atmosphere was much more relaxed. We were also making Christmas decorations( supplies paid for by G. Education) and when I asked the manager what she wanted she answered anything about Christmas,it`s the teacher`s branch. We did greet alot of former Nova students and were free to actually talk to them.No one looking over our shoulders to make sure zero Japanese was spoken. They also reimbused everyone their travel expenses without the usual "NOVA" crap about Was that the cheapest route? Are you sure you used the bus? and sometimes waiting weeks. We were asked to make a teachers information board and when I asked if we could include photos; I was told yes, handed an in branch camera and told the staff could print them on the color copier (printer) in branch. Yes I did have to work with a couple of BTs from before but they have seemed to lost alot of their steam and aren`t sure what to do, plus all the teachers were looking to the G.Education forgein staff for answers. I`m not sure if this is the greatest company but I do think they are better than GABA and are certainly better than living on the street or 4 people to a 6 mat room. I guess it will take a few months to know the full story. Everyone has to make their own choices and I hope ( as Abaiso) that there aren`t too many hungry people out there and that anyone in serious straits doesn`t just say no because of negative things that have been said on this site. At least talk to G.Education and than make your decision.

The contracts that G Education drew up were all the same & didn't incorporate the same scope as NOVA's A40 A40s A37 A34 B & C contracts so they have been sent back & reworked. As they promised everyone the same conditions. Teachers did sign a preliminary agreement & forms for salary deposits (which will be on the 5th of each month so check back on Dec 5th to see if we go paid lol). Christmas vacation will only be 3 days :( but we will also get 3 days at golden week & 3 days during obon :)
All unused paid holidays from you last contract have been lost but in 6 months you will get the holidays from your last NOVA contract.
The main problem I see for people who are waiting at home is that they are not getting paid until they sign a contract or one of these agreements. You will be paid to be on standby as they promised but only after you have signed up.
I recommend getting in contact with as many people as possible, making sure they know you are waiting and available & for god's sake answer the phone when it rings.

more lies....typical..

everyone got christmas plans?..maybe someone should organize a huge pot-luck on chrismas day in osaka-jo park.

Lies lies lies that all they tell us right? Everyone at Gcomm is having a good laugh at us stupid gaijin aren't they?
God some people a so cynical.
Do you realise how fast this has all happened? I know it seems like an eternity for you having now money & eating the nuts out of your own shit or whatever but everything has happened at lightening speed really. It is still less than a month since NOVA closed it's doors & this has all happened in Japan where it takes forever to do anything! Delays were to be expected, I'm surprised so much has happened already!

After all that has been said, written, spewed and speculated about over the last 2 months, I'm curious - has anybody seen any money yet from GComm, Hello Work, Labor Standards, Nova!, ANYBODY? I've yet to see a post that mentions their ship finally coming in.

Hi!

I`m a fucking idiot. I am the lowest, stupidest, most worthless, brainless, ignorant, spinless, ridiculous ass in the world. I have spent one year in this country, a year of hell......

After graduating college, and living abroad one year in another country, I thought i would be prepared to live here, i was wrong. I came to this country because i thought teaching English would be fun, relatively easy, and a good way to enjoy this exotic and cool country.

But, working at NOVA I didn`t get that. Every month I was living paycheck to paycheck, never being able to make the paycheck last to the end of the month...and the funny thing was I wasn`t spending it on anything! I have spent the last year of my life living like a rat in a hole...a hermit. I honestly couldn`t break the cycle, and despite the fact I never traveled, went out, had sex with chicks, or really did anything, I STILL couldn`t save money. I started geting stir crazy, and suffered from insomnia like crazy, not sleeping for days. The only reason that I didn`t return to my home country is because I had this hope things would turn around and I could live a little in this country with fast women and temples, and boos. One hurrah before going on to a real career. If I just hung in there.

But it never came to fruition. Right as my anniversary was approaching, the shit hit the fan and NOVA collapsed. I didn`t have anything saved, nothing, and was as successful at scoring a job as I was at scoring chicks.....0! In a place were only a real idiot could fail!

Now I get to go home, in shame, knowing for the rest of my life that I just don`t have what it takes to compete in the easiest scene in the world, in any capacity! From important things, like finding a job; to cultural things, like traveling; to frivolous things, like sleeping around with beautiful girls....I was ENTIRELY unsuccessful in every endeavour I strived for here. And in an arena where almost no effort is necessary.

But I can`t blame the country, the people, the jobs and women who rejected me, or even NOVA! It`s me, right, what else could it be? I`ve learned a lot about myself here, I am not as smart or as ambitious as most, that is the ultimate explanation. Pathetic.

Well, sorry to bore everyone with my sadheart song, just wanted to vent, thank good these things are anonymous!