How hard will it be to acquire a Phd in English Literature and then a college...

[Louis B]

...teaching position? I am graduating this year and will be attending a private liberal arts college for the next 4 years. Assuming I stick with my choice of major (English) would I go straight into a Phd program or would I get a Master's degree first?

I eventually would like to teach at a 4 year university/college. How realistic is this? I've heard that college teaching positions in the humanities are very hard to come by? Is it impossible, or just tough? Any other advice would be great, I really don't know much about graduate school in general.

[Auriex]

Others will give more thorough advice. My suggestion is...

Teach English in a foreign country (across one of the two ponds). Better pay, and it's way outta here.