The requirements to teach English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) vary widely based on the types of students that you want to teach. In particular, the requirements to teach English abroad are quite different than teaching English as a second language (ESL) in the United States. Some countries such as Japan and Costa Rica don't require special ESL training at all. When preparing for an ESL teaching career, be sure to get the right type of training for the job that you want.

Take an ESL certification course to teach English abroad. Most countries require English teachers to have a basic certification as an ESL teacher. The most popular certifications are the Cambridge Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA) and Trinity Certification in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CertTESOL). However, there are a number of other certification programs that you can take. Use Dave's ESL Cafe (see Resources for a link) to speak with ESL teachers that are currently in the country you want to teach in and ask what the most sought-after certifications are for that country.

Get certified to teach ESL in American schools. ESL teachers work in public and private school settings to help students that don't speak fluent English. Requirements vary by state, but typically include specialized college coursework in teaching ESL and passing a subject knowledge certification exam. Contact your state's Department of Education to learn the specifics.

Obtain a master's degree in TESOL to teach at the college level. This involves applying to a university that offers degrees in TESOL and completing all coursework. It often includes a student-teaching element.