DELTA Courses

The course is accredited and approved by the University of Cambridge (UCLES) and is aimed at teachers with (usually) an initial teaching qualification such as the CELTA plus at least two years' experience. This experience should be with different levels of students and preferably include teaching ESP, exam classes and/or some teaching outside the UK. A degree is preferred.

Why Take a DELTA?

The DELTA course is valuable for the following reasons: first, it helps you to develop as a teacher, by extending your knowledge and understanding of the principles behind your practice, and by increasing the range of your techniques and methods. Through feedback on your own teaching practice, we also help you to improve your teaching skills within the classroom. Second, it is an essential qualification if you wish to further your career into academic management, teacher training or materials writing.

The course is part-time and trainees are observed teaching their own classes in their own schools. For this reason, trainees must be in EFL work with adults (group classes) in or near Oxford for the duration of the course.

The course is a challenging one and hard work! However, the vast majority of teachers who have taken it believe it has improved them as teachers as well as providing them with career opportunities. DELTA-qualified teachers often go on to work in academic management, materials writing and publishing.

Our tutors have been providing DELTA courses together in Oxford since 1998 and have worked on CELTA and DELTA courses before that. All of our DELTA trainers are also DELTA assessors. We have a proven track record of success in preparing teachers to take and pass the DELTA.

Enrolment Procedure

Candidates' applications are assessed on the following basis: interview with the course tutor, written assignment (one hour), and language analysis tasks. Participants are required to provide their own classes for teaching practice. However, British Study Centres will arrange classes for teaching practice in exceptional circumstances, for example in cases where participants become unable to provide their own classes during the course.

Course Requirements

The University of Cambridge specify that all candidates must:

• Attend the whole course.
• Teach classes of adult learners of English at the specified levels for a minimum of 10 hours, of which at least six will be observed by the course tutors (+ feedback).
• Undertake a minimum of 10 hours directed observation of lessons, of which at least 5 must be of live lessons taught by experienced teachers.
• Maintain and submit a portfolio of all course work and related documentation, including all materials relating to the teaching assignments.
• Carry out all assignments in accordance with regulations and submit assignments to the centre for assessment by dates specified.
• Take the 3.5 hour examination. British Study Centres also specify that candidates attend mid-course tutorials (delivered one-to-one).

Resources

• A library of relevant books will be available to participants. This will be open on Wednesdays before, during and after the session and at other times by arrangement.
• Participants will be issued with a (short) pre-course reading list, including books which should be bought.
• On the first day of the course, participants will receive an essential bibliography, which they should read during the course.

Module 1

This leads to a written examination (3 hours), which is externally set and marked. (Provided twice a year).

Module 2

Coursework, consisting of five assignments, designed by the centre, using Cambridge ESOL specifications. All of the assignments include practical teaching. There is a mixture of internal and external marking of these.