Teaching English as a Second Language...Is that a bad idea? HALP

I've been in a conflicting state lately....My first choice for college was majoring in Nursing. But ever since I started listening to K-pop three years ago, things have changed. I've become more interested in the Korean culture and the language, I've done research about the country and everything and I really like it. One day I was on YouTube and came across a video of a girl teaching English as a second language in South Korea and I thought that was pretty cool. I've done a lot of research on that and realized I really liked the idea of teaching in a foregin country.

Now I'm not the best at English (even though I'm a native speaker) but I didn't realize that I was being taught nothing in high school until I got into 12th grade honors english and was like-- "WOAH I gotta brush up on my skills.", but I'm not terrible at it. I am very interested in the Korean culture and language and not because of K-pop and K-dramas (though they did play a huge part in why my interest started XD). So teaching English there would be really cool to me. Plus I LOVE kids, like my god, they are adorable little s and I wanna squish them >.<  So I could teach little/ younger kids pretty well becuase I know how to handel them.

However...

There's an obstacle in my life...

My grandma...

She doesn't want me doing ESL or to even leave the country. She says I'm stupid for wanting to do that and that I won't make it over there and this is all really steaming from the fact that I am African-American. Yes. I am Black. Well, mixed technically because my mom is White and my dad is African-American/Hispanic/Native American. But by law, I am Black and I have light/tan skin. We all know about the whole "fair skin" thing with South Korea (Or just Asian countires in general) so she thinks because of my skin color people won't like me, I won't be able to find a job an what-not. She's putting me off on the idea of doing ESL because of things like that. It's just a scarey thought and I'm afraid of not being financially stable. On top of that, she thinks the only reason why I want to teach in South Korea is because I have an "obsession" with Koreans and that I'm trying to find a Korean boyfriend/husband. Okay, 1) I don't have an obsession with Korean PEOPLE it's their CULTURE and more of an INTEREST and 2) I don't have time for boyfriend , I'm 18, I don't play that right now. No thank you. Plus, if that was the case, I could just take my up to New York and stalk out some Korean guys in Korea town. Hell, I could go to Richmond and find a few. BUT it's not that.

AND ON TOP OF THAT MOUNTAIN

She says if I do ESL, then she's not going to help pay for college and that I'm going to have to figure it out on my own...

I honestly don't know what to do. I really like the idea of teaching English in South Korea, but I'm afraid of it not working out and me wasting my money on it. 

Can you guys please give me some advise? It would really help.

Do any of you do teaching ESL in Korea or any country? If so, how is it working for you? Is it hard? How'd you find a job? Is it really as amazing as aome people say it is? Or is it just a fantasy?

*le sigh* The struggle is real >.<

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kristbernard #1
I realize I didn't make any advice on my previous post. I got excited that we share the same thoughts. Haha! Anyway..
I say just go for it. English teachers are a hit in South Korea whether or not you are white, for as long as you are very good in conversational English. I know this because I have several Filipino friends who are not really that good in the language (sorry, but it's true) but are doing well over there. You just have to be better than most Koreans. :) You can test the waters by teaching online.
kristbernard #2
Okay. So I made this account just because I came across your post. I wanted to respond because I AM A BIG K-FAN TOO!!! I mean, who doesn;t love CN Blue and Girls Generation? And their dramas? O.M.Geeeee! Haha! Anyway, I am also considering teaching in South Korea someday. It's like I was reading my own mind while I was reading your post!!! I super love their culture and their personality (in general), you know, how sweet and polite they all are. I am an English major. I am a Filipino though so I need help with regards to my accent. I am getting accent reduction courses from an online school called Preply.com ( http://preply.com/en/skype/english-native-speakers ) where I practice regularly with a native speaker . I really hope to be able to go to South Korea to teach someday. And eat lots of Sam Gyup Sal Ssam and Deokbokki, Pajeon, Fire Chicken with cheese. Oh their food! I loved reading your post and I hope to meet you someday! :)
informantxgirl #3
Teaching is a whole lot of work and patience, and often, for quite little money. However, a lot of countries don't require anything more than a certificate in ESL/EFL to teach English, especially for anything lower than tertiary level. You could still go into nursing and then take a TESOL course for the certification and use that to get a teaching job if you like. I actually have a lot more to say about this, but this is just the main gist I think you ought to know. As someone who's been in this field for nearly a decade, and having worked with teachers who have come from abroad to teach, I think I have a good grasp of both the good and the bad points of it. Let me know if you want more info.
peachywink #4
also...I should say that this is not an easy path for many. Living away from your family in a foreign country where you do not understand the language, the customs, how simple things work there like the bank and your washer- will be frustrating and sometimes scary. If your not good at making friends (because you will need at least one co-worker to be your friend), don't adapt easily, get homesick a lot, or are scared by the idea of being alone and unable to communicate in a difficult situation it might not be for you.
peachywink #5
My sister has a completely black and plump(two strikes in korea) friend that teaches over there...but you DON'T need a degree in ESL to do it. You just need a 4 year degree in anything and to be a native speaker. You will face some racism but so would a white person...your native speaking abilities means schools will want you because you raise their prestige also even though they are not liked by everyone here eatyourkimich were both teachers in Korea and released several past videos on what it is like to teach there and the best places to be employed there ect ect.
Baek_Me_A_Kookie #6
Do wats best for u.
eng is my 3rd language xD
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