Job Discussion Forums

jollyjunklass · Joined: 09 May 2005 Posts: 7

Hi Guys,
Has anyone, or does anyone know of anyone who has, ever taught at Omeida Language School. I can't seem to dig up any information anywhere.
Thanks

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

This is a special English training centre set up by Owen (Ao Wen) brother who started Buckland School over ten years ago.
Buckland is now sold to a new owner; Owen runs a new service with a large portfolio of interests; his brother does English courses for self-paying Chinese.
They are fairly professional and endeavour to make English a working language in their school and social gatherings. If you want further information you might dig up opinions on BUckland.
I have never heard anything concrete about bad vibes there.

jollyjunklass · Joined: 09 May 2005 Posts: 7

Thanks Roger,

Through my searching, I had figured out they were brothers. I think there are three in Yangshou, all who run schools. I have tried to find info on Buckland and saw one warning, however, it did not state reasons. I wish I could find something, I have to make up my mind quick. I guess no news is a little better than bad news.

peabocardigan · Joined: 14 Jun 2005 Posts: 63

Don't worry about making up your mind quickly. Schools always tell applicants that they need them asap when in fact they just want to secure you as an employee. I got to my current job on an 'urgent' request only to sit around for a couple of weeks with nothing to do. Same for my colleagues. The university just wanted to make sure we were here and couldn't run away or get hired by someone else.

Maybe other people here have similar experiences...

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

I don't think you will find any single employer who only gets rave reviews from Westerners; we are individualistic and often judge subjectively. This is why the lone negative voice appeared in this forum; there are fellows out there that criticise compulsively - I could name a few here.

To come back to Buckland and Omeida: you will be very happy with your social life, student-teacher rapport and the way Owen handles your whims and legitimate requests. Criticisms usually have it that he pays low wages/ the truth of the matter is that he takes very little in commission for placing you with a public school (I forgot to mention Buckland is a recruiter); takers in their majority are public schools in rural parts of China where students are more grateful to see a FT than in big cities.
If you are angling for a job in Yangshuo, the one thing you must bear in mind is that no employer there, and I mean not a single one, and there are several! - can hire you legally! You will have to take care of your visa. If you are lucky you will get airfare reimbursement. From Omeida this is to be expected. Buckland, on the other hand, will place you with a legitimate school that can get you a work visa (or, as it is called now, a "resident's permit").

jollyjunklass · Joined: 09 May 2005 Posts: 7

Roger,
Are you sure about this, because he states, he has sent me a letter of invitation in the mail, two days ago?

And we did discuss this issue at great lengths.

I am speaking of Omeida Language School, in particular.

dajiang · Joined: 13 May 2004 Posts: 663 Location: Guilin!

Hi Jollyjunklass,

I've worked there two years ago and had a great time.
I still have contact with some of my old colleagues there, and also with some of my students. Great people.

Odar (Owen's brother) is a good guy. It's his school, so you won't have any dealings with Owen (though his office is nearby, so you'll meet him as well of course). Billy (the 3rd brother) has another school in Yangshuo, and is not doing bad either.

The confusion between all the bucklands has been discussed plenty of other times before, so I'm sure you can do a 'search'.
Omeida is a different school though.

If you have any more detailed questions just PM me.

dajiang

jollyjunklass · Joined: 09 May 2005 Posts: 7

Thanks,

Do you mind if I email you and ask you a few things. Yeah, it is Odar I am dealing with, he seems decent enough to me.

Sorry, I just saw your PM offer, I will take you up on that.

dajiang · Joined: 13 May 2004 Posts: 663 Location: Guilin!

Sure, I've sent you a PM on how to reach me.
Catch ya later,

Dajiang

kellyb · Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 19

I am currently a teacher with buckland but before starting with them i did some work for omeida and volunteered for their vice principal Jack. The whole school seems really professional and have a good idea about how to take good care of FTs. I know they want teachers and are offering 4000 a month, just double check all the contract stuff as this is quite a high wage for Yangshuo due to the demand for work there. However i think you should go for it after some researcha and just enjoy your time in Yangshuo, its great!

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

quanxie · Joined: 11 Feb 2004 Posts: 91 Location: The Sticks

Hello Jollyjunklass,

Dajiang is right Omeida College is a different organization run by one of four brothers with the surname of Ou... It was founded in 1991 by Ouda or Odar, one of the brothers. He has been my good friend and I am currently assisting him to improve the operations of the school...

We DO have the legal right to hire foreign teachers (I have a copy of the lisc. next to my desk)... Every foreign teacher is registered with the local PSB, independent of the type of visa the have in their passport...

Kellyb is right we do offer the highest salary in Yangshuo (which is not is high as the big cities)... And we are currently recruiting new teachers...But soon all the upcoming positions will be full. We are only hiring teachers WITH teaching experience....

Just my two jiao,
Phil
PM me or email teachEnglishinChina at Gmail.com