Overseas

• If you want to teach English overseas, you will need at least a bachelor's degree in a subject and a CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults)/TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language)/TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language)/TESOL certificate. At least 40 hours of training is the minimum many employers will accept. It is preferable to have at least 100 hours of training and a supervised teaching component to your education.
  
  

Certificates

• These certificates can be obtained from independent organizations offering TESOL training, and they can often be completed in as little as a few days (weekend conferences) to a few months (online and on-site courses) depending on the program you choose. You can also teach overseas if you have more education as an ESOL teacher. Semester or yearlong certificates from a college or university, master's degrees and Ph.D.s are also acceptable to overseas employers.
  
  

Volunteering

• If you want to be a volunteer ESOL teacher, the education requirements may be less stringent. This is applicable in both the United States and overseas. Being a native English speaker may be the only requirement. Having any sort of certification and/or degree on top of that may just be an added bonus. The type of education needed for each volunteer program will vary. Check with the programs with which you are considering volunteering to ensure you meet education requirements.
  
  

In the U.S.

• To teach English to speakers of other languages in the United States, you will need a more formal education. A bachelor's degree and a certificate from a college or university are often the minimum requirements to teach in an adult education or other community ESOL program. For teaching students preparing to enter an American university, you may need a master's degree in ESOL. Overseas teaching experience is also helpful to obtain a position as an ESOL teacher in the United States.