Thursday, November 8, 2007

Language School collapses in Japan

News for all ESL teachers to consider.  Nova, the leading English school in Japan has gone bankrupt.  3,000 teachers are without work.

Is this something to worry for those of us in the ESL industry in China?  It would be if Nova's management techniques are followed.  Apparently, Nova had been in trouble with regulators for false advertising.  It may also be that the demographics of Japan have played a part in the decline of demand for English instruction.  Nova did over expand.  Japan's population is getting older and being well-off, they don't see the need to learn English.  In China, English is needed to succeed in business so the demand will  be high for the foreseeable future.  However, we can never be complacent.  Schools like the one I work for have to ensure that the students get value for their money and that they do improve their English.  We would be remiss if we didn't learn all we could from the Nova debacle.

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