International House Newcastle

Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults

Next available course - 20th September - 12th November 2010

DELTA 2011 

September 19th – November 11th 

Course Fees £1900 - excluding examination fee (£246.42 )

Optional Extra -

Intensive Examination Preparation Course

15th November to 19th November 2010

14th November to 18th November 2011

 - cost £250 for DELTA course participants - £300 for external clients

 

For an Application Form - click here

You have opted for the rewarding career of teaching English to speakers of other languages, and now need to consider a higher qualification in order to develop as a teacher and be eligible for new roles.

 

What is DELTA?

  • If you have substantial experience in teaching English to speakers of other languages, and are ready to progress your career, you need the Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults (DELTA). 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?

    All DELTA courses must contain the following elements:

    • 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:

    • understanding, knowledge and awareness of language
    • the background to teaching and learning English at adult level
    • resources and materials
    • working in the classroom
    • evaluation, monitoring and assessment
    • professional development.

    As part of your course you should expect 120 contact hours with fellow candidates and course tutors and 10 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 10 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.

    Input Sessions

    These sessions account for three hours of the course every day and are organised in the form of informal lectures and seminars, discussion groups and practical workshops. They cover the areas outlined in the Cambridge Delta syllabus.

    The aims of these sessions are:
    • to help course participants to acquire a sounder theoretical basis for what they do in the classroom
    • to allow them to re-evaluate their own teaching
    • to enable them to expand their repertoire of teaching skills, particularly through discussion of recent developments in language teaching and learning
    • to provide for a fruitful exchange of ideas amongst participants
    • to help participants prepare for the practical and written examinations.

    Teaching Practice

    Each course participant will teach for a minimum of ten hours over the duration of the course. Five of these lessons will be assessed (one by an external assessor appointed by Cambridge ESOL). During the course, participants will be given the opportunity to teach at a range of levels. The learners come from a range of backgrounds and do not pay for these sessions. Teaching practice lasts for approximately two hours per day.  All course participants collaborate on planning for teaching and are involved in giving feedback to each other to identify strengths and action points for each course participant. Each course participant is given oral and written feedback on each assessed lesson.

    The aims of teaching practice:

    Course Participants (CPs) should use teaching practice to:

       

    • experiment with a range of approaches and techniques, where applicable
    • consolidate and re-evaluate their practical teaching
    • work to develop their ability to assess and deal with learners' difficulties
    • learn by observing other CPs
    • develop realistic self-appraisal skills

    This last aim is extremely important, and tutors will help to guide CPs to evaluate their own teaching effectively.

    Assessment:

    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. The Cambridge DELTA has been accredited by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) as a Diploma in Teaching ESOL at level 5 (new NQF Level 7) on the National Qualifications Framework. DELTA is also integrated into some MA programmes.

    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 the centre's discretion.

    International House Newcastle can help you with accommodation during this course.

    • Self catering apartment (shared bathroom/kitchen) £105 per week
    • Homestay half board £120 per week
    • Homestay self-catering - £90 per week
    • see http://www.ihnewcastle.com/

    OVERVIEW OF THE NEW DELTA SYLLABUS

    DELTA Module One

    • Theoretical perspectives on languages acquisition and language teaching.
    • Different approaches and methodologies including current developments.
    • Language systems and learners’ linguistic problems.
    • Language skills and learners’ problems.
    • Knowledge of resources, materials and reference sources for language learning.
    • Key concepts and terminology related to assessment.

    DELTA Module Two

    • The language learner and the language learning context.
    • Preparation for teaching English language learners.
    • Evaluating, selecting and using resources and materials for teaching purposes.
    • Managing and supporting learning.
    • Evaluation of lesson preparation and teaching.
    • Observation / evaluation of other teachers’ lessons.
    • Professionalism and opportunities for professional development.

    DELTA Module Three

    • Research into specialist areas.
    • Syllabus design: principles, influences on, methodological effects of, and major syllabus types as applied to the specific learning context.
    • Designing syllabus and teaching programmes to meet the needs of learners in the specific context of their selected specialism.
    • Course design and development in the specific context of their selected specialism.
    • The principles and practice of testing and assessment and application to the candidate’s specialist area.
    • Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness and quality of courses and programmes of study.

    For an Application Form - click here