If you’re a new EFL teacher you may have heard fellow staff members talking about ‘when they did their Delta’, and may be wondering what exactly this is, and whether it is something you should think of eventually doing. Or perhaps you’re further down the line in your teaching career and are thinking of taking the next step in terms of professional development. Either way, we’re here to offer you some information about the course along with some reasons as to why the Delta could be a great choice for you.
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.
Who Is the Delta For?
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 equivalent) 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.
Career Progression
The Delta qualification carries with it a level of prestige in the industry and is impressive to employers. Completing the Delta is therefore an great way to progress professionally and can open doors into Teacher Training, Director of Studies positions, Academic Management, ELT Publishing and more. Many senior roles will actually specify the need for the Delta on the job spec.
Deepen Your Understanding
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 too, 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.
Remotivate
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.
Find out more about the course structure by visiting our Delta page, and listen below to what one of our Directors of Studies has to say about her experience.
