Prague, Czech Republic
DELTA (Diploma in teaching English to speakers of other languages) is a detailed and comprehensive course that covers advanced theory and practice to help you develop in your teaching career.
DELTA is a qualification from Cambridge English Assessment, which is part of the University of Cambridge.
You need at least one year’s experience to make the most of it, although many people take it after a number of year’s experience in the classroom. If you plan to progress into academic management a DELTA is a very good idea. In some schools it will be a prerequisite.
There are three modules, which you can take in any order.
Module 1 is “Understanding Language, Methodology and Resources for Teaching”. This is the examined module and is primarily theoretical.
Module 2 is “Developing Professional Practice”. It is assessed with a portfolio of coursework and assessed lesson observations.
Module 3 is independent research on either an ELT specialism or management. It is assessed by a written dissertation.
DELTA Module 1
DELTA Module 1 is “Understanding Language, Methodology and Resources for Teaching”. This is the examined module and is primarily theoretical. Topics are
- Theory of language acquisition and language teaching
- Different teaching approaches and methodologies
- Language systems and linguistic problems
- Language skills
- Resources, materials and reference sources for language learning
- Assessment concepts and terminology
Because this module is examined, some people benefit from additional help with exam preparation and revision. We have an online course precisely for this. See here!
DELTA Module 2
DELTA Module 2 is “Developing Professional Practice”. It is assessed with a portfolio of coursework and assessed lesson observations. Topics covered are:
- The learner and learning context
- Preparing to teach
- Using resources and materials in the classroom
- Managing and supporting learning
- Evaluating lesson planning
- Observing lessons
- Professional development
DELTA Module 3
DELTA Module 3 is independent research on either an ELT specialism or management. It is assessed by a written dissertation.
About the school
IH Prague is large and vibrant school with about 50 English teachers, a large teacher training department, and teachers of German, French, Italian and other languages. It’s a very cosmopolitan environment! Training or working within this long established and supportive team will provide a great boost to your career.
A group of 15 Czech English language teachers opened the school in 1988, and we are proud to still be a cooperative, owned by most of the permanent staff.
IH Prague is conveniently located close to the metro, only 10-minutes’ ride to Wenceslas Square or 20-minutes to Charles Bridge. It is surrounded by a large garden with trees, benches and red squirrels. We also have a library and cafe in an adjoining building. With Prague being such a popular tourist destination, our course participants appreciate being able to live and study in a quiet residential area away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Prague.
If you would like to visit Prague to do your CELTA, the city is safe, cheap and simply beautiful. There are many historical sites to visit, such as Charles Bridge, the Jewish Quarter or the Prague Castle, which are all only about 20 minutes away from the school with the user-friendly public transport.
However, given how busy the CELTA normally keeps people, you might also appreciate places that will help you relax and that can be reached in about 10 minutes. One of these places is Prague’s largest swimming pool called Podolí with outdoor (and indoor) heated pools. There is also a place called Sauna Spot with a range of hot rooms some with views of the Vltava river! Additionally, there are several parks in the neighbourhood as well as a large forest with lots of walking paths.
It’s straightforward to get to Prague – since it’s such a popular destination! Václav Havel International Airport serves as a hub for Czech Airlines and Smartwings, and is also a base for Ryanair. Prague has very good public transport with buses and a metro.
The metro station Budejovicka is five-minute walk from the school, which makes the city centre super easy to reach. Although central, we are in a very pleasant area with lots of trees and green areas.
There are many restaurants and cafés all within a 10-minute walk from the school, including a food court in a shopping mall or a lovely vegan restaurant called Loving Hut. There are three large supermarkets (e.g. Lidl) all within a 10-minute walk from the school. Additionally, there are a couple of local bakeries and a Marks & Spencer café/shop!
To give you an idea of how expensive it is to live in Prague, a kilo of oranges is around €1.40, a Big Mac is around €3.10 and a bottle of beer is around €1.40.
Accommodation
We have three of our own apartments which students may rent. All three apartments are within a walking distance from the school (or a two-minute bus ride). All of them are in quiet streets and with a garden, so they provide ideal study environment. At the same time, it will only take you about 10 minutes into the city centre or other attractive locations. You will have your own room with a bed, a wardrobe, a desk and a chair. The kitchen and the bathroom are shared and equipped with basic kitchen amenities, including a cooker and a washing machine.
If someone prefers to find their own accommodation (or there is no space left in accommodation the school offers), we are happy to give advice in regard to the location to look for, useful web pages or we recommend places where our trainees stayed in the past and had a positive experience with. In Prague the general cost of more budget accommodation starts at 12 Euro per night (hostels, private accommodation, student-shared places).
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