Cambridge Distance DELTA (Online) + 2 Week Orientation in Sydney

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The Cambridge DELTA is also offered in distance mode through International House London and the British Council.  A compulsory two week Orientation Course for the Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia region is run at International House Sydney – Teacher Training Centre and other select centres.

The Cambridge DELTA course features a balance of theory and practice to help you enhance your understanding of the English language and how to describe it, whilst examining in depth the principles of effective teaching and the practical skills needed for teaching English to adult learners. 

The course draws heavily on your classroom experience, knowledge of materials and resources, and on extensive reading that you will undertake as part of your development.  It is highly reflective.  You will be encouraged to examine your current practice and beliefs and apply the results of your learning and reflection to your professional life. 

Designed For

Current teachers (typically with a minimum of 2 years full time ELT teaching experience to adults) who want to develop professionally and who have experience at a range of levels and in different teaching contexts.  You may want simply to become a better teacher, or be seeking promotion to a position of responsibility such as Director of Studies or teacher trainer.

CERTIFICATION & RECOGNITION

Certification is issued by the University of Cambridge.

COURSE CONTENT

The Distance DELTA is an integrated programme which enables you to follow a DELTA course whilst still working in your school or institution. The 8 month programme comprises:

• 2-week Orientation Course, run at IH Sydney - Teacher Training Centre and in selected regional International House and British Council centres
• distance component which covers all aspects of the Cambridge DELTA syllabus and assessment. 

The Orientation Course

The Orientation Course is an essential part of the programme. It introduces you to the main themes and approaches to be followed during the distance component and provides a sound grounding in the skills of analysing, planning and reflecting objectively on your own teaching. Unit 1 of the programme, including your first formally-assessed Portfolio Assignment leading to the Cambridge DELTA, is completed during the Orientation Course. As a result, the Orientation Course is an intensive yet rewarding part of the programme.

As a distance learner, it is important that you make contact with others who are following the same programme so that you can share ideas and opinions. The Orientation Course is the first step towards becoming part of the Distance DELTA learning community.

The Distance Component

The Distance Component covers two essential elements: research and written work, and the development of practical teaching skills.

1.  Research Written Work  

Core course materials are delivered on a CD Rom, in 8* units to be completed to a set schedule. Each unit of work contains information, tasks and guided reading projects which require you to reflect on your own teaching and your own teaching context. The unit also contains a formally-assessed assignment which contributes to your overall assessment on the course.

There is a dedicated website which contains updated course content and, most importantly, discussion group work monitored by an experienced DELTA tutor. 

(*Unit 1 completed during the Orientation Course) 

2.  Practical Teaching Skills 

Your reflection on your own teaching development will be monitored by the experienced DELTA tutors responsible for providing support and assessment over the course of the programme. On a face-to-face basis, however, your teaching will be monitored by your approved local tutor.  

Visit the Distance DELTA website for a copy of the full course syllabus.

ASSESSMENT

Work towards the Cambridge DELTA award is assessed in 3 components:

1. portfolio of assessed coursework
2. extended assignment
3. 3-hour written examination.

Components 1 and 2 are completed during the course. You will take the written examination in the session following the end of the course (December or June).

THE PORTFOLIO INCLUDES:

• 7 assignments, 6 of which are internally assessed. The seventh is externally assessed. 5 of the assignments include the observation of your teaching. The first formal observation is completed during the Orientation Course. Observations 2, 3 and 4 are completed by your Local Tutor. The final observation is part of your externally-assessed assignment and is observed by a Cambridge-approved DELTA Assessor.
• The extended assignment is a case study of a learner (4000 – 4500 words) and is externally assessed. Throughout the course, you will be given guidance on completing this assignment.
• The written examination is a 3-hour examination, held in early December and early June. You may take the exam at any approved Cambridge centre. (Please note that transfer centres may charge an administration fee).

ENTRY CRITERIA

• you will normally have a minimum of 1200 hours English language teaching experience to adults 
• a range of experience in terms of levels and teaching contexts
• you will normally hold an initial ELT teaching qualification such as the Cambridge CELTA
• have access to an approved local tutor.

COURSE LENGTH

9 months, including the 2 week orientation programme.

VISAS

The following Visas are available for non Australian passport holders to undertake the 2 week orientation programme in Sydney: 

• visitor visa
• working holiday visa

TRAINERS

All of our trainers are:

• accredited by the University of Cambridge
• post-graduate industry qualified
• experienced teacher trainers with an average of 12 years experience.

Please see our TESOL trainer profiles – the breadth of their experience and qualifications is unique in this fast growing industry.

APPLY FOR THIS COURSE

All applications must be made through the Distance DELTA website, where full details and application forms are available.

COURSE DATES & FEES

8 MONTH DISTANCE DELTA Sep 2007 - Jun 2008
2 week orientation course - Sydney Sep 2007  Application deadline  29 Jun 2007 DELTA Course Exam   Jun 2008	Orientation course fees: £490.00 Course Fees: £1470.00 Total: £1960.00 Orientation Course fees should be paid directly to IH Sydney - Teacher Training Centre. All remaining fees are payable to International House London. NB: This does not include the Cambridge exam registration fee (approx £213.00).

 

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