Job Discussion Forums

[spanglish]

Now that the DELTA has been recognized as the equivalent of a masters degree in the UK does anybody think it would be possible to teach for US employers who require a masters? I wonder if a community college would recognize a DELTA as a masters equivalent....

[timothypfox]

I can only speak for NYC, but DELTA would not be recognized for teaching at a public school. It would be recognized by conversation schools or non-profit literacy programs. I would venture to say that DELTA has not received this level of recognition in the US. The MS / MA is still the most highly regarded terminal credential. But, with a good cover letter you can always sell yourself and see what happens! Never say never! Maybe you can educate Americans to recognize your DELTA for what it is.

[spiral78]

I'm missing something. My UK friends with DELTAs are unaware (I've just asked three of them) that a DELTA is equivalent to an MA. Can you provide some link that supports this notion?

I am aware (we are) that a DELTA may count towards an MA, but none of us have ever heard of it being considered equivalent.

Supporting evidence would be much appreciated, as two of my colleagues would then have the equivalent of TWO MAs (DELTA + MA). If true, this would elevate them into a higher pay scale here!!

[Sashadroogie]

I believe that the DELTA is recognised to be at Masters' standard, but isn't actually a complete Masters. Can't remember where I read that, but there is a thread here somewhere...

[nomad soul]

From the Cambridge Delta website (http://www.cambridgeesol.org/exams/delta/index.html#tab2):

"Achievement of Delta helps teachers prepare for more senior teaching roles and facilitates progression to other qualifications such as MAs in Linguistics and Language Teaching. Some MA programmes will accept Delta credits (up to 20 credits for each module)."

[spiral78]

Exactly, nomadsoul - that's what I (we) thought as well. Thanks for posting the link! Not equivalent, but a shorter programme at the post-grad level. I'd think that if a DELTA were considered equivalent, the Cambridge Delta website would be trumpeting that!!

[spanglish]

Whoa, not so fast jumping to conclusions. I don't post erroneous info without checking it out and a simple google search would have turned up what I was talking about.

http://www.eltnews.com/news/archives/2011/05/delta_recognize.html

'Ofqual, the exams regulator of the UK government, has confirmed that Cambridge ESOL's Delta qualification for teachers is at the same level as a Master's degree or a professional diploma in the European Union. This is a result of Delta being placed at level 7 of the UK government�s Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF), making it the only English language teaching diploma currently included at this level.'

[Sashadroogie]

I think this says the same thing as the other posters said in essence: 'at the same level'. Not sure this means it is an equivalent.

[spanglish]

Fair enough, doesn't mean the same as the equivalent, but 'at the same level' is not the same thing the other posters said in essence.

Back to the original intent of my post - this is a new change and my understanding is that it certifies a DELTA holder as having the same level of qualification as a holder of a masters. I'm wondering if this could have positive ramifications in the US.

[spiral78]

I said:

[spanglish]

No need to quibble over word choice and I'm not trying to claim anything, just pointing that there has been a recent change in the level of recognition that a DELTA receives in the UK.

[spiral78]

I don't think it's a change at all. A DELTA has always been considered to be a short course at the post-grad level. It's rated that way on our European university pay scale (for the university where I work/ed and our partner unis in other European countries) - and has been for the past decade. Not as strong as an MA, but obviously higher than a BA or CELTA.

[spanglish]

I don't want to fight on the board, so let me try to be diplomatic: all the information I have read indicates that there indeed was a change this year in accreditation of the DELTA. The link I already posted clearly indicates that point of view. Here are some other links that may help clarify things.

http://mag.digitalpc.co.uk/Olive/ODE/ELGAZETTE/LandingPage/LandingPage.aspx?href=RUxHQVBENC8yMDExLzA3LzAx&pageno=MTQ.&entity=QXIwMTQwMw..&view=ZW50aXR5

'Ofqual, the regulator of exams in England and Northern Ireland, has recently acknowledged that Cambridge Esol�s Delta qualification for EFL teachers is equal in level to a masters degree or professional diploma in the UK and throughout the EU.'

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Qualifications_Framework

'Level 7 qualifications recognise highly developed and complex levels of knowledge which enable the development of in-depth and original responses to complicated and unpredictable problems and situations. Learning at this level involves the demonstration of high level specialist professional knowledge and is appropriate for senior professionals and managers. Level 7 qualifications are at a level equivalent to Master's degrees, postgraduate certificates and postgraduate diplomas.'

[spiral78]

[Chancellor]