Programs in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) abound, but to choose the right one for you, you should learn the requirements for the job that you wish to have. There are no standard requirements for TESOL--sometimes called Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) or Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). It depends on where you want to teach and at what level.

Undergraduate Degrees
To teach abroad, many countries will require you to have a Bachelor's Degree, though it doesn't have to be in TESOL. However, if you know you want a career teaching English, it can be helpful to get a bachelor's degree in TESOL, since you'll focus your studies on appropriate courses. Not all schools offer undergraduate degrees in TESOL, but you can find programs at California State University in Fresno and Northridge, McGill University, SUNY Oswego, New Mexico State University, University of Hawaii Manoa, Northwestern College and the University of North Dakota, among others.

Graduate Degrees
If you want to teach ESL in the United States, you may need a teaching certificate and a graduate degree in TESOL. There are more schools that offer graduate degrees than undergraduate degrees; a few of these schools are UC Davis and UCLA, Brigham Young University, Carleton University, Arizona State University, Wheaton College, Syracuse University and San Francisco State University. When looking at programs, consider choosing a school in an area that has a high immigrant population. This may give you more opportunities for hands-on learning experience.

Certificate Programs
If you're looking to teach abroad, getting a certificate in TESOL can help you get a job. Many European countries require you to have a TESOL, TESL or TEFL certificate to teach. Other countries may simply prefer those who have certification. At the very least, it will provide you with some knowledge and experience going into the classroom. One of the most widely recognized certificates is the University of Cambridge's Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA). The Trinity Courses, offered by Trinity College in London, are also popular with employers.