Job Discussion Forums

aussie wonder · Joined: 04 Jan 2005 Posts: 4 Location: Brisbane

I am looking at a possible posible position with this group, and wanted to know if they are legitimate or crooks! Also, they say on their website that they train you when you get there for several days. Is this a certified TESOL course, or just a prep for teaching with them. I ask because I have not yet done my TESOL but plan to do th I-I online course, but i would rather not if the course that Buckland's do certifies you as a TESOL trainer. ANy Advice on this would be appreciated.

Sekhmet · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 329 Location: Alexandria, Egypt

I have been quite vocal on this forum about online courses, and i-to-i in particular. I suggest you do a search, as I'm far from the only one. In terms of the Buckland training, I'm sure it's wonderful, if you plan to stay with that school for the rest of your career. If not, then it's practically worthless. If you have no experience, or any sort of TEFL certification, don't do an online course, and make sure you choose something that is accredited (and ot by some Mickey Mouse University). Otherwise it could cause you problems further down the line.
Do a decent course first, and it will help you out in ways you haven't even imagined yet!!

aussie wonder · Joined: 04 Jan 2005 Posts: 4 Location: Brisbane

Yes I have heard about the online stuff. I suppose I am just looking at the cost. I am currently into my 3rd yr of a primary education degree in Australia, and thought it would be good experience, and and a mighty challenge to work o/s for a yr. I do have minimal teaching experience, but did cover language acquisition and literacy training for children in my 2nd yr. From what I can tell the cambridge CELTA course seems like the way to go, but the cost, and length of time is restrictive at this stage. If evrything pans out and I like the TESOL experience I plan to do a matser of TESOL course to Add to my Education degree, and I'm sure this qualification would be widely recognised and appreciated. What I'm probably saying is would the I-I course suffice for now in my year break from Uni ? they also are Holding an in class course this weekend which , for me would be a better option anyway

Kell · Joined: 26 Jan 2005 Posts: 3

Bucklands doesn't train you for TESOL but they will give you some instruction on teaching in China specifically as well as some language and culture training. You still need to have your TESOL before arriving. If you email them they will respond quickly and you'll be able to email other teachers they have.

Sekhmet · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 329 Location: Alexandria, Egypt

Hey,
Are you planning to do the teaching after you have your degree? If you have some experience, and you're not planning to do TEFL for long (and of course if your school will accept it), then maybe the online course wouldn't be so bad.... (Although it tears my heart out to say it....!!!! Smile

)

I would definitely get in contact with some teachers who are there already. Normally, schools that allow teachers without a TEFL cert. are not that good (or shady, etc.), and therefore it is definitely worth getting some other opinions before you dive on in there.

The weekend courses from i-to-i are almost as bad!!! It's not the methodology that I find fault woth, it's the complete lack of teaching practice. And the weekend course really doesn't teach you anything. I did a weekend course, and online course, and I still felt I knew nothing, so I went and took a 4 week onsite course as well (through a different company). I just don't think i-to-i is organised enough yet!!

Anyway, as far as the Masters idea is concerned, yes teaching for a year to make sure if it suits you is a good idea. I've been teaching for 3 years now, and have only just got my Diploma. I guess it doesn't matter so much if all you want to do for a few years is to just be a teacher, but my aim was teacher training and DoS, so I had no real option!!!

Good luck, and try avoid i-to-i!!! There are some half decent online courses (LTTC, for example, has an online course with a certificate in Teaching Practice, which would be useful...), so pick one of them instead!!!

(Sorry, yet another rant about online courses.... Embarassed

)

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

If you have been hired by Owen of Buckland, then it is a respectable deal. The training is in-house and geared mainly for your adaptation to Chinese living conditions and school life. It's not a degreed course.
The good thing about Buckland is that they stand by you in case you have some run-in with your school. Since they act as your recruiters they will ensure you get paid your dues.
I was in Yangshuo recently and saw the premises where they house their various FTs who come on visit or are there just arrived from overseas. I dare say they do give you a big welcome.
In their administration even the clerks speak English among themselves. They really make every effort at facilitating the use of English.

nolefan · Joined: 14 Jan 2004 Posts: 1458 Location: on the run

while I have not had any first hand experience with buckland, I have met a few teachers that have used Owen to secure a position in China and they were taken care off....
they've been around for a while and they have manged to avoid any harsh criticism

yaco · Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Posts: 473

Aussie Wonder, Don't listen to the advice from Sekhmet.

TEFL Certificates or Diploma's are not required in China.

The minumum requirement to be employed legally is a Batchelor's Degree.

I was speaking online with a 19 year old fellow Australian who is currently teaching near Beijing.

Unless he accelerated through School, he doesn't have a Batchelor's degree.

Sekhmet · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 329 Location: Alexandria, Egypt

Yaco, fair enough, I'm not currently in China. But every school that has ever offered me a job from there has asked for a Batchelors. And since he's already more than half way through it, what's the problem??

I have also said (on many occasions) that, yes, it is possible to get jobs without a Batchelors or TEFL certificate, but they are OFTEN the less respectable schools... I'm also not the only person who is of that opinion on this forum by a long way.

I also never suggested that Aussiewonder should get a Diploma or his Masters before going to China. He said himself that he wants to do a Masters at some stage, after he has spent some time overseas, and that he is currently in his 3rd year of a Batchelors in Primary education. I even suggested that for someone with his experience, an online cert might not be a bad idea. Please refer to my post on the EF thread for my reasons why..... As I said there, I'm just giving advice from my own experience. It's up to Aussie to take or leave it.

SeaLawyer · Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2005 12:34 pm Post subject:

Owen may shoot straight, but Jennifer is forgetful and Odar, although a very nice person, did not prove trustworthy to me.
Odar is Owen's brother, but I believe they have their business lines well seperated, except for some employee swapping. OMEIDA is not licensed to employ foreigners. The other Buckland in Yangshuo was bought by Principal Long a few years back. It is not part of Buckland Group. Buckland International Business College is also not licensed, but Principal Long does pay weekly. According to PSB and BFE, there were no organizations authorized to employ FEs in Yangshuo as of July 2004. Buckland Group is either an approved intermediary or has beaucoup guanxi. I believe the latter is true due to the degree of familiarity that officials in Nanning had with him.
P.S. I give up on rule of law in China. My last trip to Beijing was a hilarious sequel to "Treasure of the Sierra Madres." I have digital audio recordings if anyone wants to find a Director interested in making a film. Maybe G.W. Bush could star as Hu Jintao.

chinaboytian · Joined: 13 Sep 2004 Posts: 132 Location: Tianjin

I spent a week enjoying Yangshuo and taught some classes at Buckland.
I found the owner quite nice and I think honest. I would be interested in
teaching there again someday, if you know more, please inform.

The Yangshuo area is famous for foreigners and the scenery is gorgeous.
I was there in summer and hotel and food prices were very cheap.
Yangshuo is a paradise for foreigners and most of the locals are dependent on the tourist economy. It is a small village and a lot of
tourists, thousands, travel in Yangshuo and Guilin.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Chinaboy,

there are TWO Bucklands now in Yangshuo; the original owner of Buckland sold his stake in the Xijie operation to a taker from Nanning; if you have taught there then you have not taught at the NEW BUckland, which is the one we have been discussing here.
Otherwise your comments were to the point.