Family and becoming an ex-pat

PenguinJim

We use i.e. when we're talking about one specific situation, i.e. there are not multiple examples to provide.

We use e.g. when we're providing one example out of many.

They are not interchangeable.

"I don't bother applying my skills as what exactly would be the point?!" - I think that is a dreadful attitude to have while studying to be a teacher, and quite selfish. The point would be to practise your English to perfection, so that you don't make mistakes in class when talking to your students. I agree that your not knowing the difference between "its" and "it's" does not make a difference in conversation, but not knowing when to use "I" and when to use "me" does (and "i.e." and "e.g.", as above). If you ever teach reading & writing, how effective do you think you will be if you have to stop and think about every second word in a sentence?

I haven't read your other threads, but purpleshoes makes it sound like you're (edit: I don't want to assume bad things about you - I'll base my opinions on what you've written here, not what purpleshoes implies). Good on you for trying your best, but I hope you can understand why some of us may be horrified at the idea of you teaching your students bad English?

What you are going to do will directly affect the lives of hundreds of students. Please practise!

Emkayoli

I am pleased for you OP. I have a friend I met in a youth hostel in Edinburgh on my Facebook who is teaching in South Korea at the moment and it's all very exciting.

I would love to have that kind of experience, but had my children very young so gave up all that without really thinking.

I would take your parents opinions with a pinch of salt, I think if you are honest with yourself you probably knew what their attitudes would be before you told them. At this point I would just recognise that only you can take on the negativity of their reactions and whilst it would be nice to have a bunch of super happy people around, just because you don't shouldn't dampen your own positive feelings, so just let it go and look forward to your adventure!

princeofpounds

To be frank, I don't quite understand what your thread is really asking for OP.

Good job on getting the Korea opportunity. I've been there. Nice place, very modern. Of course you need to be prepared but it's not Mars - basic stuff like insurance, visa, phrase book.

Your Dad is probably just worried about your safety due to having small horizons and/or not looking forward to being left 'alone'.

As for the rest of it, I don't even understand why you are posting about it.

A cake? You accuse your mother of being self-absorbed but what relevance does £10 of cake have to your future?

An old heater? Yeah it sucks they treat your property this way, but you don't need it and you're moving on anyway.

The rug? I get this a bit more; it clearly has sentimental and aesthetic value for you. However, it's still firmly in your possession. So just say no. Leave it with someone you trust while you are away. Say you have 'sold' it to fund your trip if necessary, then 'buy' it back on return. But don't fret over it all, just deal with it.

Frankly all that stuff just comes across as a bit self-absorbed over minor things, when you have this big adventure to looks forward to. So don't wallow in it; you want people to be excited for you; clearly everyone on this thread is. Probably your friends are too. We're not your family, I'm sure they matter more, but they are what they are and you may well find some time away balances the relationship a bit when you get back anyway.

monkeychops

I think it is great news OP and think it is a shame your parents can't be happy for you