Have you heard any colleagues in the staffroom talking about ‘when they did their DELTA’? If you are thinking about taking the next step in your own professional development, or just wondering what it is, we’re here to give your some information about the course and why it may be good for your career.
What Is the DELTA?
The DELTA is an internationally recognised Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages assessed by Cambridge English. In the UK it is recognised by Ofqual at level 7 on the Qualifications and Credit Framework, the same as a Master’s qualification. The DELTA is made up of three modules, each examined differently. You can take each module separately or take an intensive version of the course – there are a few different options available.
Is DELTA for me?
In order to be accepted onto the DELTA course, teachers will have normally been teaching for a minimum of two years and have studied a CELTA (or similar) as an initial teacher training qualification. It is a great choice for anyone wanting to progress in their career, learn new skills and develop their EFL knowledge.
How will it help my career?
The DELTA qualification carries with it a level of prestige in the industry and is impressive to employers. Completing the DELTA is therefore a great way to progress professionally and can open doors into Teacher Training, Director of Studies, Academic Management, ELT Publishing and more. Many senior roles will actually specify the need for the DELTA on the job advert.
Re-motivate yourself
The DELTA is a chance to re-energise your teaching and your career, and to rediscover your passion for ELT. It is an opportunity to explore areas of teaching that are of particular interest to you, and a great way of sharing ideas and innovations with other teachers. If you already have a number of years’ teaching experience, classroom activities may be becoming somewhat monotonous, so the DELTA is a great way to explore new practices and gain some motivation.
Learn more about teaching English
The DELTA is an excellent means by which to learn more about the world of teaching and deepen your knowledge of it. It’s a way of gaining a greater understanding of the process of learning along with the needs of different students. The practical element of the course offers you the opportunity to receive feedback on your classroom performance and the chance to reflect of your teaching. It’s a great way of analysing teaching practices and can lead to the development of more thoughtful teaching approaches.
