I’ve taught English & ESL for over 25 yrs and of that, I’ve been a teacher trainer for over 15 yrs. in Canada. To become an ESL teacher in a public school you MUST have a degree in education. However, if you want to teach adult ESL you do not. If you want to take a TESOL course from a public college/university, it is considered graduate work and it requires A degree of any kind. Many TESL/TEFL courses are offered by private colleges which usually don’t require a degree of any kind, although they recommend that you have one. If you want to teach immigrants in Canada you must have a TESOL diploma but to teach international students TESL/TEFL is usually acceptable and sufficient. To teach overseas a degree is generally preferred. If you are interested in teaching overseas check out the following websites:

1. http://www.eslcafe.com/

2. http://www.transitionsabroad.com/

The CELTA is better than the TEFL in many ways, lie the new improved version. Also from Cambridge university.

You dont need a degree or teaching experience to do the course but on completion of the course in order to get a job alot of the countries requirements are that you have a degree to get a work permit or visa. The school itself doesnt mind if you just have the CELTA certificate.

“Except in certain vocational specialties, all beginning teachers in public elementary and secondary schools must have several years of university education in academic and professional subjects and usually must hold a degree. At least one year, and in some cases two years, of professional studies must be included in the teacher education program.”

From: http://www.ctf-fce.ca/en/teaching/teaching.htm

It then says you can go here to see the specifics about the territories:

http://www.ctf-fce.ca/en/teaching/teaching.htm#r

You need a teaching certification to teach. In order to get a teaching certification you need a degree, not necessarily in teaching, and that is a real shame.