Barbacking is good if you are on the same page with the person who hired you.
The "men who barely speak English" are "professional" barbacks, meaning they
don't want to be bartenders. If you have an agreement in place along the lines
of, "I want to be a bartender. I'm willing to barback to get experience behind
the bar, but I want to move up when a shift opens up." Really, you just have
to find a manager who is willing to take a chance on you, and who you trust
enough to honor your deal.
Bartending school is good to learn some drink recipes and get your hands on
some bottles, too, but don't expect it to automatically get you a job.
(Honestly, it's easier if you're female and attractive. I remember looking
through the referral books when I went to school, and more than have of the
jobs said, "female only", and many of those said, "must be attractive".)
Though if you barback, you'll probably make back your bartending school
tuition in 3 or 4 shifts, and you'll know better what to look for to learn as
you're barbacking.