Things have only gotten more interesting in the last month. I’ve enjoyed the Facebook groups as a venue for re-connecting with old friends from either stint in Japan but they’ve also given me far more information about the current state of the bunny.
Nova Collapse Feared is certainly an attention-garnering headline, but it doesn’t say anything new. The fact that students are turning up having not been notified that their school closed is very symbolic of Japan. In that sense, I’m not surprised that information hasn’t been more forthcoming… it’s not the Japanese way. As for the staff, it’s sad. I was never living week – to -week while there but I knew many people who were down to their last Yen in the days/hours before the 15th of the month and I can’t imagine how that sector is fairing.
While it doesn’t seem that the MM Centre is on the verge of closure, I still can’t imagine the changed landscape of not seeing a Nova on every corner. I’d imagine MMC is one of the most costly branches due to the technology employed, however I see it remaining open because it allows them to centralize staff while at the same time reaching students all over Japan.
While it wouldn’t be fair to say that a lot of people went to Japan after graduating college, or even that a lot who did worked for Nova, I think the possible closure would represent a big change for Japan and those interested in teaching English. I also feel bad for the students – there are other schools but Nova had the benefit of location and convenience. Also, many students didn’t seem to see the downside of Nova. I can’t count the number of times I’d meet Japanese in different part of the country who were seemingly awed by “Nova no sensei.” English lessons weren’t cheap and the possible closure of a school as large as Nova is going to drive prices up and make it harder for those for whom English was a hobby.
