and was wondering if it is worth going for?
It is working for the NOVA company and I have to teach English to children.
Does anyone have any advice for me regarding anything such as finance, teaching, culture etc.
Thanks
By the way I am a Muslim so does anyone know if there are many muslims in Japan, or mosques. Also I only eat halal meat so are there many halal resturants/butchers in the Country.
Thanks for replying everyone!

Go - it will broaden your life

Sounds like it would be a good experience,,, if you know how to speak Japanese.

Go definately! I worked in Japan for a year (not as a teacher) and I loved it. Did nt want to come home! I had friends who were English teachers and they enjoyed their jobs,good salary etc The country is fantastic the people are great. You ll have a brill time!

Actually I'm going to work for Nova in a few days, its my first time. I think learning Japanese as soon as you get there is the way to go, Most cities and towns actually have free or at least dirt cheap Japanese classes for foreigners, from what my japanese friends have told me. I already found where the classes are held in my town.

About finance, most people talk about how expensive japan is but my friends have told me it depends on how you live.

For food, there are many cheap good places, like Ramen shops, Teriaki places, and cheap sushi, sashimi places that all offer good meals for under 10 dollars.
I was even told that grocery stores have pretty good prepacked food they make there that is really very good.
Don't go for american food too much, I hear Domino's like 35 dollars a pie over there.
Also, in places like Akihabara they sell a lot of new and used electronics, if your willing to settle for last years model, then you can probably save a lot.

got to go, maybe I'll add more later,

goodluck

First you must learn their culture, langage and eat raw food.
90% of Japanese do no speak english

English schools in japan are a dime a dozen, Nova would be the biggest in japan and have loads of offices which is a great way to meet other people. I worked in a small school by myself which got a bit depressing at times, dont worry about not knowing much language you can get by, I wouldnt say 90% of japanese can speak english dont expect people to speak english, try your japanese first, When I first arrived I was like I have to learn japanese, but after about a month or two you pick up the phrases that get you by, you'll earn enough to live off and save a bit too.
Teaching can be a bit of hard work, you should have all text books and lessons plans - not 100% on nova though, and you'll have a school manager who'll be under pressure to sign on more students, which can become stressful, some english schools focus on money and not really learning english, they do anything for a new student to sign on.
The culture is great, japanese people are fantastic, food is best i've had anywhere and japanese will go out of their way to help you if you need it.

i live in japan and hear that NOVA is a semi-decent language academy. the biggest issue is money, as this is SUCH an incredibly expensive place to live. Do they provide housing? That's your biggest concern. Get online and find some resources for ESL (English and a Second Language Teachers). NOVA will do some training, I imagine. Grab some books on Japanese culture before you come (Learning How to Bow is good). Also fun and funny is Dave Barry Does Japan. It's hysterical. There's also a book called Living and Working in Japan that helped us a great deal. Get into eating like a Japanese person and you can live much more cheaply. If you can't give up your Western eating habits, you'll go broke trying to buy those foods. Japanese food is delicious and healthy, so if you don't already like it, train yourself to. The Japanese people are the most polite and gracious people I have met and I have been all over the place. You are in for a treat. Come, even if the job package isn't great. You won't regret it one minute!

The proposition is seen little weired.
Have you been asked to pay any money in advance? then don't trust.
Or you should tell that you are not Christian. If Japan side notice after you entered in Japan. you might be in trouble.
You won't be able to cut off (stop) your class at Salat (worship) time.
Working and religion are absolutely two separate issues in Japan.

I am a vegetarian for health reasons, and fish is a very big part of my diet. My colleague is a strict vegetarian and he has trouble when it comes to eating out with a group of people. many foods may have beef or pork mixed in and if you cannot read Japanese, you may have a few mistakes in food orders.

I do not work for a school, but my experience has taught me that location matters. If you will live and work in a major city where you can find or meet people with similar likes and dislikes, you will find that life will be better. Small towns are limited and even more limiting for gaijins.
I live next to Tokyo Jamie, which is a huge very nice Mosque in Tokyo's Yoyogiuehara area. Below is a link for the mosque.

Nova has had some problems in the past regarding paying teachers. You might want to check The Japan Times website to see if they have anything in the archives.

NOVA has a reputation of being "the McDonalds of language schools." Which is to say, it's popular but it sucks to work there. The management treat their employees like peons. (If anyone loves working at McD's, I apologize). And I am sure there are some gung-ho NOVA employees who think it's awesome too. But most people try to get out of there asap.
Do NOT sign a contract for more than one year. Check the details of the contract carefully. Do they provide for your return airfare? Some co's refuse to pay return airfare if an employee breaks their contract. . .so check what circumstances constitute breaking your contract. Also check out what type of housing is provided. Ask if they can estimate how much rent you'll be expected to pay. If you say, "That sounds kind of high. . . ." then check what sort of response they give. Are they defensive? Authoritative? Or do they sound reasonable and understanding about things like that???
Language school working hours are similar to working at a restaurant. You cannot get evenings or weekends off. Your day off is usually Monday. Check whether you get one day off a week or two. And are those 2 consecutive days? Don't be surprised if they aren't.
That said-if you want to experience Japan, if you want to get over there and get your work visa (a very important point) then do it. And you'll probably enjoy meeting and interacting w your students. After a year you can get another job. Or who knows, maybe you'll become a gung-ho "team player" w your own satin NOVA jacket.

I just reread your question. Another pointdo you like working w kids? Have you ever done it? Some folks mistakenly believe that teaching children is an easy job that anyone can do. Wrong!! There are plenty of guys who come to Japan, try to teach kids, and CRASH and BURN. Japanese kids are like kids from any other country on earth they misbehave, they smack each other around, they are loud, they get bored. Of course they're cute and wonderful, but don't expect them all to be eager little darlings. And DO expect them to be scared of you initially. It's your job to win them over!

Nova is a tough company to work for. I hear some bad things about them. However, if you want to come to work for them, good luck. I've been in Japan for over 2 and a half years and I love it!

Good luck.

If there is a Muslim community, it'll be in Tokyo.

If I were you, I'll go for it. Not many people have the opportunity like your man. It would be an adventure, to live and work in a place like Japan is something I would like to experience. I would like to learn and be proficient in speaking and writing Japanese and I am also interested to learn martial arts such as Aikido, Judo, karate and the use of samurai. I also want to learm something about the Japanese Culture.

The only thing though in your case is as you have mentioned you are a muslim and you have some religious commitments such as prayers in the mosque and eating halal meat and it is a big factor for you.

I have never been to Japan and I have no idea about mosques and halal food. But to me it is a very interesting opportunity.

go for it. fortune only knock once at your door. i have a sister from kuala lumpur she is teaching english in japan more than 10 years. and she is still teaching.you will love the culture too.