The requirements for teaching an English as a Second Language or ESL class vary depending on the location of the class. Teaching ESL in the United States often has more restrictions than teaching ESL abroad. If you know where you want to teach, the best thing to do is to look at the requirements for that specific institution.

Bachelor's Degree
At a bare minimum, you'll need to earn a Bachelor's Degree. A degree in education or English can help you to get some jobs, though it isn't always necessary. Some states will also allow you to teach with just a Bachelor's Degree, but you'll have to be working towards higher education. The B.A. allows you to get a visa to work in other countries.

Master's Degree in TESOL
Many schools in the United States require teachers to have a Master's Degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). Requirements vary by state, though, so check with your state's Department of Education for the rules in that state. While not a requirement for teaching abroad, having a Master's Degree will make you eligible for better and higher paying jobs.

Teaching Certification
For teaching in American schools, you'll need to earn a teaching certificate, usually in ESL. This involves passing a test that measures your knowledge of teaching the subject matter. Check with the State Department of Education for testing dates. Do not confuse this certification with ESOL certification, which is different.

ESOL Certification
If you want to work abroad, ESOL or ESL certification is required in some countries and desirable in others. This is an intensive training program that shows you how to teach English to speakers of other languages. Two of the most widely recognized programs are the University of Cambridge Certificate of English Language Teaching in Adults (CELTA) and the series of certifications at Trinity College of London, including the CertTESOL (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), the DipTESOL (Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and the CertIBET (Certificate in International Business English Training).