It's no surprise. All Japanese companies who employ foreigners try to drain every bit of energy out of them as they can, while paying them as little as they can or not at all,as in Nova's case.
They tried to make themselves out to be the number one English school,by using all the wrong methods. Good luck to all you ex-nova people out there. Let's take this as a learning curve for all us other foreigners out there being sucked in to Japanese manipulation.

Warren Evison, Fukuoka City, Japan

It's not surprising that Nova crashed. They obviously paid no heed to the quality of staff. The comments written here by ex employees are full of mistakes in lexis, grammar and punctuation. Obviously these are not the only factors, pedagogy is also vital, but with a lack of attention paid to the quality of what was taught, how could Nova hope to survive?

Teresa Baker, Porto, Portugal

Im very sorry for those people who lost their jobs. This school has a large record of labor violations. I hope my friends can find a way out soon.

Eudao Roncaferro, New Jersey, USa.

Eudao Roncaferro, Newark, USA

I've been running a private eikaiwa near Nagasaki for several years. Many of my students came to me via NOVA. Disgruntled would describe the majority of them. I know my students, their families, their likes and dislikes, and, perhaps most importantly, why they are studying English. A little more of the human element seemed to be what NOVA was lacking. NOVA's loss equates to my gain, but at a terrible price for both the students and the staff. I feel for anyone trying to make it here on their own, especially with this sudden influx of available foreign workers. Good luck to you all!

Jeff Gawne, Omura, Japan

I agree with Andrew Milner: it is shocking teachers haven't realized the opportunity laid at their feet. I left NOVA after 1 year, and did the private teaching thing. I was dumping students, i had so many, and that was while NOVA was booming. But all too many teachers are content to just get up and go to work and live in their foreign bubble and learn little to nothing about the world they are in. Well, my prayers go out to them, and I hope some where smart enough to start looking for alternative prospects once there was any sign of trouble.

Chris, Kingston,

What are British Universities teaching these days? Certainly not "make your fortune in the colonies".
For years Nova’s reputation was an outfit that ripped off both the teachers and students. Also they had no profession standards, neither business ethics or teaching quality. In the long run it's good they have gone out of business. But for any ex-Nova teacher on their toes, opportunity knocks.

Andrew Milner, Yokohama, Japan

It is very unfortunate that the English languge school has come to this situation in Japan. A much better oversite and organization of accountability needs to be introduced. I have spent several years in Japan, first working in Okinawa and then in Japan with the Boy Scouts of America which is an outdor and educational program and have the experience of working closely with the Japanese people. The organization of the school needs to be restructured and financial emphasis needs to be directed at teaching the English language and not on the overhead. Accountability needs to be emphasized with experienced direction.

Richard L Weidman, Olympia, Washington

To be honest I am not surprised at all at the recent economic woes of Nova Inc. I worked for a small ESL eikaiwa in Sapporo and felt a great sympathy for my Nova-employed compatriats. You simply cant expect a company like Nova to succeed fincancially with a business model consisting of terrible treatment of their foreign and Japanese employees, and superficial concern over their students' linguistic progress. The entire concept of English School in Japan in general needs to refocus on student learning and cultural understanding and move away from viewing students as cashcows.

Chris Salazar, London, Ontario

I finished my contract with NOVA in June, and while it looked like there was some problems, I never would have imagined it would have ended like this.

It is a shame the company has collapsed like this. I found the experience extremely rewarding, and the students very friendly and open to foreigners teaching them English.

The collapse of the company has lost not only many jobs for foreigners who are ill equipped to live in a very different country, but also lost a great deal of money and respect for those who were it's clients. Many are hard working people who wanted to learn more English and about others around them, and the loss of the school will be a big loss to easy access to English instructors.

Matt, Toronto, Canada

This ending has been in everyone's minds for months, but to actually have to face it is a harsh reality.

I truly feel betrayed by the company and i know i am not the only one. Nova has not only disrespected its employee's and students, but also its country!

People came from across the globe and now they are having to return home with a vile memory of Japanese life.

I hope Nozomu Sahashi is found sometime soon and made to answer for his actions. He has ruined the lifes of thousands of people, and so should be punished!

All i can say is that, i hope somehow someway we actually get what we are owed for all our hard work.

John Hinchliffe, Leeds, West Yorkshire