If you have substantial experience of teaching English to speakers of other languages, and are ready to progress your career, you need DELTA. This internationally recognised qualification helps you to:
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deepen your understanding of the principles and practice of teaching the English Language to adults |
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examine your current practices and beliefs |
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apply the results of your learning and reflection to your current teaching position and more senior roles. |
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'.
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.
You can take DELTA full time (typically two to three months), or part time (from six months to over a year). A Distance Learning programme is also available.
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:
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teaching practice |
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observation of experienced teachers in the classroom |
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completion of a range of practically focused written assignments |
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an extended assignment |
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a written examination |
There are six main units of learning:
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understanding, knowledge and awareness of language |
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the background to teaching and learning English at adult level |
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resources and materials |
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working in the classroom |
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evaluation, monitoring and assessment |
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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:
- 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.
- Extended assignment
The extended assignment is a case study of a learner. It is supervised by the centre and externally marked.
- 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.
DELTA is accepted throughout the world by organisations which employ English Language teachers. The Cambridge DELTA has been accredited by the 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 - we have information on the exemptions offered by some UK institutions. Cambridge ESOL also works with international ELT organisations to ensure the acceptance of DELTA globally.
Ideally you should:
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have at least two years' full time (1,200 hours) experience of teaching English to adults within the past five years |
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have a range of teaching experience in different contexts and at different levels |
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be a graduate and/or have an initial teaching qualifications at different levels |
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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.
DELTA courses are designed by individual centres, based on specifications produced by Cambridge ESOL. They run at over 55 approved centres in 20 countries. Contact the British Council Sri Lanka for details of courses in Sri Lanka.

EXAMINATIONS REFUND POLICY AND PROCEDURE
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