DELTA – Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults

What is DELTA?

If you have substantial experience of teaching English to speakers of other languages, and are ready to progress in your career, you need DELTA – Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults. This internationally recognised qualification helps you to:

• deepen your understanding of the principles and practice of teaching the English Language to adults;
• examine your current practices and beliefs;
• apply the results of your learning and reflection to your current teaching position and more senior roles.

 

How does DELTA relate to TEFL/TESOL?

'TEFL' or 'TESOL' are terms often used to describe qualifications for English Language teachers. DELTA, the advanced TESOL/TEFL qualification for practising English Language teachers, was previously known as DTEFLA and the 'RSA diploma'.

 

Who is DELTA for?

You may be a graduate, or already hold an initial teaching qualification, and are considering DELTA as a route to further career progression. The qualification is ideal if you wish to extend your professional experience and accept new responsibilities as it not only demonstrates a commitment to the profession, but is also proof of your ability.

You may be looking for an opportunity to increase your understanding of the principles and practice of English Language teaching to help improve your overall performance in the classroom. As part of this process, DELTA courses encourage you to analyse your existing practices and beliefs. They also help you to apply the results of your learning and reflection both to your current professional life and to contexts beyond your present and previous teaching experience.

 

What does DELTA involve?

You can take DELTA full time (typically two to three months), or part time (from six months to over a year). Your course features a balance of theory and practice to enhance your understanding of the English Language, while examining in depth the principles of effective teaching and the practical skills required for teaching English to adult learners.

The course includes:

• teaching practice;
• observation of experienced teachers in the classroom;
• completion of a range of practically focused written assignments;
• an extended assignment;
• a written examination.

There are six main units of learning:

1. Understanding, knowledge and awareness of language
2. The background to teaching and learning English at adult level
3. Resources and materials
4. Working in the classroom
5. Evaluation, monitoring and assessment
6. Professional development

As part of your course you should expect 120 contact hours with fellow candidates and course tutors and ten hours of teaching adults. Four of these lessons are supervised and assessed by a course tutor and one is externally assessed. In addition you have ten hours' directed observation of lessons, with five of these being live lessons taught by experienced teachers. You spend around 300 hours on reading, research and assignment writing.

There are three components of assessment:

1. Coursework

There are seven coursework assignments. Six of these are internally assessed; the seventh is externally assessed. In addition there is overall external moderation of your coursework by Cambridge ESOL.

2. Extended Assignment

The extended assignment is a case study of a learner. It is supervised by the centre and externally marked.

3. Written Examination

The written examination is externally set and marked.
To be awarded the Diploma, you must pass all three components.
There are two grades – Pass and Distinction.

 

Who recognises DELTA?

DELTA is accepted throughout the world by organisations which employ English Language teachers. It is accredited by the UK Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) as a Diploma in Teaching ESOL at level 5 on the National Qualifications Framework. DELTA is also integrated into some MA programmes. Cambridge ESOL works with international ELT organisations to ensure the acceptance of DELTA globally.

 

Am I eligible to apply?

Ideally you should:

• have at least two years' full time (1,200 hours) experience of teaching English to adults within the past five years;
• have a range of teaching experience in different contexts and at different levels;
• be a graduate and/or have an initial teaching qualification;
• have a standard of English which will enable you to teach at a range of levels.

Centres may still accept you if you do not strictly meet all of these requirements but can demonstrate that you would be likely to complete the course successfully. This is entirely at your centre's discretion.

For application forms, or for any questions you might have about the CELTA or DELTA course, please do not hesitate to e-mail: delta@avo-3.com

Alternatively you can download the application form for CELTA or DELTA and e-mail it to the same address.