Cambridge ESOL DELTA Certificate

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 course options

• Cambridge ESOL DELTA (Face to Face)
• The Distance DELTA

The DELTA course offers candidates who have substantial experience of teaching English to adult speakers of other languages the opportunity to:

• Acquire new insights into this area and a deeper understanding of the principles and practice of ELT to adults
• Examine their current practices and beliefs
• Apply the results of their learning and reflection to their current professional lives and to circumstances beyond their present and previous teaching experience

The DELTA programme is designed to enhance participants’ understanding of the following areas:

• The English language and its description
• The practice and principles of teaching and learning in relation to a wide range of adult learners and their learning contexts
• The nature, role and use of resources and materials
• The process of teaching/learning and how it can be managed
• Procedures for the formal and informal assessment of students, the evaluation of courses and programmes of work, and the investigation of personal effectiveness as a teacher in the classroom
• Opportunities to further their professional development as teachers, co-ordinators of other teachers and programme administrators

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Course features

The DELTA course consists of:

• A series of input sessions on a variety of topics directly related to the DELTA syllabus and are delivered through workshops, seminars and lectures.
• Guided research and written work.
• The development of practical teaching skills through teaching practice every afternoon.

The written and practical work is assessed in 3 components:

1. A portfolio of assessed coursework

• There are 7 assignments, 6 of which are internally assessed. The 7th is externally assessed.
• 5 of the assignments include observation of your teaching. The first 4 formal observations are observed by one of the team of tutors assigned to your course. The final observation is part of your externally-assessed assignment and is observed by a Cambridge ESOL approved DELTA assessor.

2. The Extended Assignment is a case study of a learner (4000-4500 words) and is externally assessed.

3. The Written Examination is a three and a half hour examination held in June and December. You may take the exam either at IH London or at a British Council or approved Cambridge Examination centre.

Applicants should normally have an initial teacher training certificate in English and a good academic background. They should have a minimum of 2 years full-time (1,200 hours) English language teaching to adults, teaching at a wide range of levels and in different contexts. The minimum age is 21.