In a free market, information is valuable. Let me provide some information here. If you're somebody who's thinking about getting into TESOL, take heed. Let me tell you the best way to get into TESOL, my friends and colleagues:

1. Go CHEAP on the cert, if you need one at all. I can't emphasize this enough. Do not pay several hundreds, even several thousands, on a mere TESOL program that may even require you to fly (via expensive, non-reimbursed airfare) to an overseas location. There are online programs that will work just fine, such as ICAL's. To complement an online program, be sure to get three great books every TESOL teacher should have: "Teaching English as a Second Language" by Mary Finocchiaro, "Master the Basics of English" by Jean Yates, and "Testing English as a Second Language" by David Harris. All three are available at Amazon for good prices. Going this route will allow you to "test drive" TESOL for a little while to make sure you actually like it, not to mention learn a lot more about TESOL than you will at a program. TESOL is just too risky to just "jump in" without knowing what you're getting into. You may like it, but you may not. Make sure you ask all your questions and get the answers before getting on the airplane.

2. Watch out for the "interested types" on websites such as this. These folks have a stake in seeing that you are herded into an expensive TESOL cert program you may not need. Remember that a mere TESOL certificate will be able to get only jobs teaching younger learners (in most cases), as this type of job is in high demand. This is because the experienced guys already know that teaching young kids is a drag and don't accept such jobs, hence their availibility and "ease" to get. Sure, some people actually enjoy teaching young kids, but most don't. Why pay through the nose for a program that limits your choices later? Why pay big money for a program that limits you to jobs you don't want?

3. If you REALLY want to do the TESOL thing, get a master's degree in TESOL instead of a cert or a diploma. You'll be much more qualfied, have more credibility, and will treated with more respect. It'll also be a lot easier for you to change jobs if a school abuses you. Yeap, you'll be able to qualify for much better jobs later and won't have to settle for those jobs teaching young kids--the jobs no experienced teachers want (for good reason). You'll also have more freedom to walk away from a school and land another job easily and quickly if you indeed have to walk away.

Good luck.