As globalization becomes a reality, the predominant language used by businesses, hospitals, media sources, and even at sporting events is English. Countries where English is not the dominant language are now actively recruiting native speakers to teach their younger generations and business workers how to speak it. Just as they require their own teachers to pass a certification, most of these countries require English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers to be certified by a course such as Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).

Hours
Depending on the level of certification you wish to achieve, the span of hours that it can take to finish a TESOL course is anywhere from 60 to 200 hours of study. Although this may be a large chunk of time, you have several ways to achieve the certification, whether it is in-person at a TESOL school or online at your own pace.

Education
The minimum level of education required to obtain a TESOL certification and use it to teach ESL students is having a high school diploma or GED (General Education Diploma). Without this, TESOL will not grant certification for its courses. However, individuals may still take the courses and obtain the certification after receiving their diplomas or equivalent. However, you will find that many programs, and indeed most ESL schools, will require the applicant to have at least a bachelor’s degree to be considered an eligible applicant.

English Fluency
In order to teach English as a second language, you must be able to speak it fluently. If English is not your native tongue, you must take an equivalency test through the program under which you wish to study before being approved for a course, whether it is in a classroom or online. This is integral to not only gaining the TESOL certification but to being successful in securing an ESL job afterward.