Tutoring English as a Second Language (ESL) can lead to a steady job and career or freelance work for extra income. ESL teachers and tutors are in high demand both in the United States and overseas, and ESL tutors have the opportunity to get paid for teaching while they travel. There is no single program that offers definitive ESL tutor training, but there are several types of certifications and options that will help ESL tutors prepare for lessons and find more prestigious positions.

ESL Certification
Several organizations provide courses and certification for ESL tutors and teachers, including Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) and Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA). These courses range from a few weeks to more than a year, depending on whether you choose a full-time or part-time course, and many are available to take online. All are internationally recognized and increase your chances at finding ESL tutoring positions in the United States and abroad.

ESL Training Guides
Many ESL tutors find students through their community college or other organizations, and those places also may offer tutor training. The Education Resources Information Center (ERIC) at eric.ed.gov features five training modules as a free download, which includes classroom introductory procedures and other approaches to teaching literacy, pronunciation and dialogue.

Written Training
These guides and courses contain written assessments and assignments that focus on the principles of being an effective ESL teacher. Much of the training is delivered in a lecture setting, covering everything from teaching reading, listening, speaking and writing skills to planning classes and analyzing student progress. When choosing an ESL training course, be sure the focus aligns with your ideal job. For example, if you wish to tutor business English to professionals, the CELTA may be the best choice for training.

Teaching Experience
Most ESL tutor training courses include a "hands-on" portion in which you will teach a lesson or class yourself. This is a valuable part of tutor training, as it allows you to experience your job while still receiving professional help and feedback. In most training courses, there is a required number of teaching hours to fulfill before you can receive your certification.

ESL Training Exams
Final exam procedures differ from course to course. The TESOL and TEFL, for example, prepare you to take a final examination that must be passed to receive certification. Both websites, as well as others, offer online practice tests that will give you an idea of the course goals. The CELTA, however, focuses on assessment throughout the course, with no final examination. Your final assessment is a combination of both your written assignments and your teaching performance. If tutor ESL through a local college or other organization, it may provide its own ESL tutor training. If you have already been accepted into the program, this training usually does not culminate in an exam.