Few age limits exist for ESL and EFL teachers. Teachers must be adults of all ages can and do teach ESL and EFL. To teach ESL to adults, most employers seek individuals old enough to start a second career -- often middle-aged adults -- since these individuals likely have more experience dealing with people professionally. For overseas EFL teachers, age and experience requirements vary by country. Many European programs seek to hire teachers with prior teaching experience, but adult EFL programs in some Asian and some South American countries have fewer age and experience demands.
The level of education needed to teach ESL or EFL to adults varies by program. Some programs, particularly EFL programs in Asian and and some South American countries, require no more than a university degree in any subject. Other programs only hire teachers who have taken ESL and EFL classes. This includes most ESL programs in the United States and EFL programs in the British Commonwealth, South America and Central Europe.
Basic certificate types include Teaching English as a Foreign Language certificates, Teaching English as a Second Language certificates and the Cambridge English Language Teaching Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults. All three certificates provide prospective teachers with proof of having completed academic coursework on ESL for adults, but the CELTA especially places emphasis on providing teaching practice alongside teaching theory, giving prospective teachers thorough experience.
Not all ESL and EFL adult teaching jobs require the applicant to be a native speaker, but native speakers often have an easier time finding work in the field due to their naturally high level of English fluency.
Non-native English speakers who are bilingual or otherwise possess near-native English speaking abilities rarely have difficulty either, since their English communication skills remain impressive and fluent. Students look to their ESL teacher as their English-speaking model, so non-native English speakers must polish their own skills before teaching others.
Employers expect their ESL and EFL teachers to understand their essential duties. ESL and EFL teacher will be expected to know how to prepare lesson plans and work with speakers of other languages. Prospective teachers need to have a thorough understanding of English grammar, writing, reading, speaking and listening skills. Many EFL and ESL teachers, especially those working with adults, need to teach their students about cultural aspects of the United States or other English-speaking countries. Other requirements vary by program and class type.