Job Discussion Forums

tassierose · Joined: 29 Sep 2004 Posts: 21

Does anyone have any info about Buckland International Training Group. It looks like it has many international teachers on it's books but how legit is it? I've heard some really bad stories about working in China, so I'm a bit on guard. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

SillySally · Joined: 26 Jul 2005 Posts: 167

Try the search button. There are many threads.

Volodiya · Posted: Sat Jul 30, 2005 7:02 am Post subject:

As Sally said, there's lots of stuff here, on Buckland, and recruiters, generally. It'll save you time to use the search.

On the off chance you may not be able to get what you want out of this cranky search facility, let me tell you one way to do it-

click "search";
type "Buckland" in the first window;
select "China-Jobs Related forum"
select "topics"
click "search", at the bottom of the page

You'll get two pages of threads related to what you want.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Buckland seems to have changed its name again.
It started out over ten years ago as a one-man show under the name of "Buckland", literally "the land where the bucks are made".
So far so bad.
But the owner who goes by the name of Owen is a widely respected Hunanese who sold his first school to a Nanning-based business man who now runs one outfit in Yangshuo's Xijie ("West Street"). Don't pin any hopes on getting a job from them!
Owen soon realised he must change the name of his new school, so he invented a new catchy name that included "Elite" in it. (Do a Goggle search!).
This is the school and agency that you can trust.
They are based in Yangshuo in Guangxi; however, you won't likely get a job in lovely Yangshuo. More likely Owen will find another taker for you somewhere else in China.
The reason why Owen gets good reviews is because he really cares for those FTs he successfully lands a job for. This he does by asking the school you are going to work for to pay the entire contracted dues up front; he then keeps the money in escrow and pays you your dues even if your employer should terminate you (of course, if there is a valid reason you do not get your salary beyond that which you are legally owed).
Owen takes a small cut - unlike most other "recruiters".

There also is an offshoot called OMEIDA run out from Yangshuo by his brother.
In addition, he has a very nice HQs in Yangshuo where you will be housed and fed for free should you have to stay a time in Yangshuo.

I do endorse Buckland.

SillySally · Joined: 26 Jul 2005 Posts: 167

OP withdrawn

Mideatoo · Posted: Sat Jul 30, 2005 8:38 am Post subject:

I have been browsing this forum "on&off" for 4 years, and before that we had the old format, almost the same site with a different forum design, also we could not edit and we had no avatar.
Roger is definitely an icon here.
Where is Doc?

One sure thing, Dave likes yellows and blues.....

Volodiya · Posted: Sat Jul 30, 2005 8:50 am Post subject:

Mideatoo, did you miss the irony in SillySally's post?

Roger never omits an opportunity to post in defense of Buckland's. Others are not so persuaded. If someone is thinking of relying on Buckland's, perhaps it would be worth their time to read other opinions- just to get a balanced perspective.

SillySally · Joined: 26 Jul 2005 Posts: 167

If I recall, Owen buckland even posted here in his own defense a long time back.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Doc became a social liability here and was temporarily suspended; in reaction he threw in his towel and founded an alternative website where he is now vociferating against whatever he and his pals dislike.

As for my stance on BUCKLAND - I have for years maintained my opinion; if you, Sillysally, do not want to appear as uncouth you refrain from commenting unless you have a worthwhile comment to make.

I said I endorse BUCKLAND, because I happen to know Owen and his brother; I know that agents do not normally get support from FTs, and I have taken my time and made strenuous efforts at checking him out.
I would be happy if any poster would check out earlier threads dedicated to Buckland.
The truth of the matter is that there are too many subjective opinions floating around, usually by posters who do not show why we should trust them.

I am not the only one who feels that Buckland is a good exception to the bad rule of Chinese agents. There also was CMM - who now is, I believe, working for Buckland in Yangshuo. As said, there are old threads - please, do dredge them up, and you will find that there is an overwhelmingly positive frame of mind by dozens of people.

SillySally · Joined: 26 Jul 2005 Posts: 167

Roger I have said nothing against buckland!

tassierose · Joined: 29 Sep 2004 Posts: 21

I asked for a reply to my question not arguing amongst yourselves....
But, that aside, thankyou for you input and I'll check out the threads.

Cheers.

ChinaMovieMagic · Joined: 02 Nov 2004 Posts: 2102 Location: YangShuo

I'm here in YS w/Owen Buckland and also am working w/his brother, Odar
Buckland...so...for some that may automatically disqualify me from offering valid opinions... Rolling Eyes

I too endorse Owen and Odar. Here in YS there's a small-town us/them mentality which can still see dynamic Buckland brothers as being "outsiders." Several local people have told that Buckland shouldn't be trusted...but it soon becomes clear that they're talking about the "Buckland School" now owned by non-Buckland.

I've met many Buckland teachers from various parts of China and they had good words about Buckland.

Some key elements to consider:
*Owen thinks long-term, and he cares about his reputation in the EFL Community, including Daves...
*Being around Owen can be an entrepreneurial education in itself. I was at a riverside restaurant meal in which he hosted teachers/govt. officials...all somewhat grey from being in the bureaucracy for so long. And Owen...shining w/his Sagittarian charisma, entrepreneurial co' 'ckiness, Positive Mental Attitude...SUCCESS of Creativity and Good Vibes!
*Based on my several visits, I'd say Odar's 2 schools in YS have a very good teacher-student dynamic. Several teachers there speak good Chinese, and there's a communal environment there, w/people having buffet etc. meals together.
*I'm going to be here long-term in YS and welcome the opportuity to meet w/folks...but not answering FAQ-type PMs. I have entrepreneurial plans, and Owen told me he'll try to support them. I want to get a place on a riverside village, reachable from YS via farmers' taxi-barge, and develop a unique Intensive English-Chinese Learning Community there, putting into practice the thread "Promoting Change in China's Classrooms."

warranty card · Joined: 22 Jul 2005 Posts: 27

The village on the river/farmer's taxi barge idea sounds a good one. I haven't read the Promoting Change thread but I will.
I am very puzzled by the narks who attack Buckland. Buckland has the imprimatur of both Roger and China Movie Magic so, for my money, there must be sour grapes somewhere from others who go against the word of two ikons of Dave's Forum.
I see Roger referred to a "Doc" who had become a social liability and was chucked out - and started up his own forum!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yikes! I take it he was one of the Buckland "bad-mouthers". It's a pity to see someone chucked out but if the person was socially inept on the forum and bad-mouthed honest operations, I guess there's some fairness there.
Let's hear more about Buckland and the school in the village on the river in Yangshuo. It sounds a go-er to me.

lumberjackej · Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2005 11:18 am Post subject:

Mr. 'Buckland'is a cool guy, from my experienced.

I never worked with him. But he put me up during the May holiday in his center's hotel for a really good rate--60 RMB per person per night, during the high season. Nice rooms too.

If that is worth anything. He seemed like a nice guy, and it's easy to see why he's successful at what he does.

lanaluv · Joined: 15 Jun 2005 Posts: 21

Roger, what (where) is Doc's alternative forum? I enjoyed reading his postings?