Cambridge DELTA

COURSE DESCRIPTION

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.

The Cambridge DELTA is recognised worldwide by universities towards master programmes in related fields such as MA Applied Linguistics, MA TESOL and MA Education (TESOL).  Locally a number of leading Australian universities offer subject credits towards these programmes at:  Macquarie University, University of Sydney, University of Wollongong and the University of NSW.

COURSE CONTENT

Content includes:

• 10 hours observed teaching practice
• detailed feedback and discussion with course tutors
• seminars and demonstrations to improve knowledge and awareness of the language systems and skills of English
• seminars, demonstrations and group activities to explore the theories behind current methodology
• examination and evaluation of resources and materials
• research into specific areas of interest relating to language systems and skills.

A full overview of the syllabus is available on the Cambridge ESOL website. 

ASSESSMENT

The assessed elements of the DELTA are:

COMPONENT 1:   COURSEWORK  

During the course, candidates gradually build up a portfolio of their work, the guidelines for which are provided at the beginning of the course.  Altogether there are 7 assignments:

• 4 Language Systems/Language Skills assignments submitted in two parts—a background essay summarising the candidate’s research in the given area; and a lesson plan, observed lesson, and post-lesson analysis.  The LSAs vary in their focus: 2 look at separate aspects of language systems, and 2 at separate aspects of language skills.  Three of these are assessed by course tutors, while one is assessed by an external assessor; a candidate needs to pass both parts of at least one language systems and one language skills assignment, and the second part (the lesson) of one of the remaining two internally assessed assignments; a candidate normally needs to pass the externally assessed assignment as well.              
• 3 Practice & Principle “exploratory” assignments, one focusing on resources and materials, one on a new or alternative (for the candidate) approach, the third on course planning.  These are internally assessed, and you need to pass the course planning assignment and either of the other two assignments.

COMPONENT 2:  THE EXTENDED ASSIGNMENT
Separate from the coursework above, there is also an extended assignment, focusing on a particular specialisation; this is assessed by an external moderator (in Cambridge) and you must obtain a pass in this component of the course.

COMPONENT 3: THE WRITTEN EXAM This element remains an essential component, and preparation for the exam is part of the course.  As the exam is offered in December and June every year, you might do some preparation after the course ends, by correspondence with us if you are not based in Sydney.  The exam can be taken in Sydney or at any of a number of Cambridge approved examination centres around the world.

The format and focus for the 3-1/2 hour exam are pre-set. 
There are 3 questions, each with 3 tasks based around:

• Student written text(s)
  • Authentic written text(s)
  • ELT material.

A pass standard is required in 5 of 9 tasks.  The fact that the nature of the questions are known facilitates preparation.  However, you do not know in advance what the material will be, but you do know that you will be looking at and evaluating the three types of material listed above, from the standpoint of language content and methodology.

TEACHING PRACTICE
We provide teaching practice groups to address all practical needs of the course - supervised (developmental) teaching, assessed teaching, learners for the case study, as well as a context simply to try out new ideas. 

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. 

COURSE LENGTH

• 8weeks full-time
  140 class hours
  you will also be required to complete 300 hours of reading, research and assignment writing.

VISAS

Visas for non Australian passport holders include:

• 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

Please note that the application date for the 2009 full-time DELTA course is 9th January 2009 Please contact us for a copy of the Cambridge DELTA application forms.

COURSE DATES & FEES

INFORMATION SESSIONS

Information Night:       Wednesday 15th October 2008 at 5.30pm

                                   Wednesday 3rd December 2008 at 5.30pm

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