Work

02/18/2019

So it’s time to talk about my work, and admittedly where I spend the majority of my time.

I work at NOVA, a conversation school for people all of all ages. It’s on the 3rd floor at both schools I teach at.

Sorry, the day view is an image stolen off google maps. It seems I can’t ever remember to take a picture of my building during the day.

Anyway, NOVA is an office setting full of rooms or cubicles for private lessons.

Each school is made up of around 10 teachers who work different days (I still haven’t met a few of the teachers who work at the same schools as me) and 1 Japanese staff member who works reception for the students and support staff for the teachers (they are the best, in general, and you can ask them about anything. I frequently bring my mail to work when I have questions.)

^This is my “home” school, the Isehara branch. I work at branches in 2 different cities.

Lessons are always 40 minutes each and are taught either 1-on-1 or in groups of up to 5 adults or 8 kids. Students who want 1-on-1 lessons pay 3x the regular amount, and get the “privilege” of bringing in their own materials to study or just free-talking with a foreigner for 40 minutes.

Depending on your fixed weekly schedule you’re given when you start at NOVA, you are guaranteed either 34, 37, or 40 lessons per week. I’m on the 37 lesson schedule, which means I make more ¥¥ than people with 34 and less ¥¥ than 40. Time off is more important to some than others, so most won’t complain about having only 34 lessons per week.

We are paid per lesson, even if we have no students. Our pay goes up per additional student in group lessons which is also kind of nice.

Students will book lessons online, either taking a slot with whoever is open or with a specific teacher of their choosing (our pictures are up for them to see) and if they like you, they will return, and you will have more bookings. They can also rank you which affects your student intake–and high rankings mean more bonuses later.

Thst being said, NOVA is run very much like a business. In training we had intensive practice on how to execute NOVA-style lessons, but once we began training in the school setting, the actual teachers who worked with us were much more flexible with their lesson style, and the system isn’t nearly as cookie-cutter as it appears initially ~~because these are real humans after all~~.

Anyway, my “away” school is in Hadano, which looks a bit different than the branch at Isehara. While Isehara is a more modern school, Hadano branch is traditional, which means no shoes inside (yay) and we have cubicles instead of rooms (boo).

I like my work, at least. Days are long at times but I learn so much from my students, and I take notes all day on my schedule form as they recommend things for me to try. I try to help them at much as I feel they help me.

I also love that I can see Mt. Fuji from both of my branch schools. Even in my suburb in Iseahara, the sunset view is lovely.