TESOL (teaching English to speakers of other languages), also known as TESL (teaching English as a second language), is a professional qualification that allows teachers to teach English in countries where English is not the native language. The TESOL programs provide teachers with practical skills and theories in methodology and pedagogy. Drawing lesson plans, organizing and managing classrooms and using different teaching strategies are some of the elements of a TESOL program.

TESOL Certificate
The basic qualification to teach TESOL is the certificate. The TESOL certificate provides students from all educational backgrounds with basic knowledge and practical experience in teaching English. To apply for a certificate, candidates are required to have at least a 3.0 GPA on previous studies and to pay an application fee of approximately $50. To complete the certificate, students are required to obtain 15 course credits.

B.A.
A B.A. (Bachelor of Arts) graduate can teach in public and private schools up to the college level. Equivalents of a B.A. degree are B.S. (Bachelor of Science) and B.Ed. (Bachelor in Education) degrees. A TESOL B.A. takes eight semesters (or four years) to complete. Requirements vary from state to state, but generally students that apply for this degree need to have a high school GPA of at least 2.5, official transcripts from all schools attended and good verbal and written skills. Some states require state residency to be enrolled in the program.

M.A.
TESOL M.A. (Master of Arts) graduates can teach in colleges and universities. All B.A. graduates can enroll in a related M.A. program. To be accepted in the program, students must have a 3.0 GPA in the undergraduate major, graduate record examination scores (GREs) and two academic reference letters. To complete the M.A., students need to have 36 course credits, a teaching portfolio and to pass an oral comprehensive examination. The degree may require a thesis, depending on the program selected.

PhD
PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) graduates can teach at any school level, but they may also choose to do research or to work in administration. To be eligible for the program, students need GRE scores, writing samples on related topics and recommendation letters from former university professors. The PhD program offers approaches in research and teaching in second-language acquisition, bilingualism and pedagogy. It takes five semesters to complete and, at the end of the program, students are required to have a thesis presentation and an oral comprehensive examination.