The Nova Group is the largest of the Big Four eikaiwa (or private English teaching companies) in Japan. Many of Nova branches are located near train stations, and the company uses the term ‘ekimae ryÅ«gaku’ (“study abroad near the train station”: 駅å‰ç•™å¦) in its promotional materials. On June 13, 2007, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry imposed a six-month ban on Nova from soliciting, accepting or finalizing new contracts for long-term courses that last for over a year or 70 hours. The ban was imposed because of issues regarding refunds for the cancellation of contracts
EFL, English as a foreign language, indicates the use of English in a non-English-speaking region. Study can occur either in the student’s home country, as part of the normal school curriculum or otherwise, or, for the more privileged minority, in an anglophone country which they visit as a sort of educational tourist, particularly immediately before or after graduating from university.