Job Discussion Forums

[FrenchLieutenant'sWoman]

Background:

I'm a schoolteacher by training and got into EFL by doing EAL support in schools, then my husband getting posted abroad so I ended up teaching EFL. The focus of my MEd is applied linguistics, so I know how to teach and have a fairly good grasp of the nuts and bolts of English. I'm pretty ambitious and am aiming for either high-level management or university level research (but can't do my PhD until we're in the same place for long enough).

I don't want to bother doing a CELTA level qualification, I've researched it extensively, I don't think it's going to teach me anything new and sitting with a load of inexperienced teachers for a month would probably do my head in. I don't need a qualification to teach but I find the approach to EFL interesting and a higher level qualification would probably add value to my CV if/when I go for DoS jobs or similar.

Or do I do another masters, this time in TESOL?! Aston accept the DELTA as a credit transfer hence the leaning towards to the DELTA to try it out and see whether it's worth the study.

If you've done the DELTA what was your experience of the course? How does it compare to what it says on the tin?
If you haven't then why not?
Do you think, being more experienced in the EFL world, that a DELTA is suitable for me and/or worth my time?

[spiral78]

I think the DELTA, which as you know is focused on teaching English, would nicely fill the gap between your general teaching training and your applied linguistics work with the language.

We have found that teachers with only app. ling. aren't necessarily very effective in the classroom, and prefer teachers with specific training in teaching language. I agree with you that a CELTA would be too little in your situation, and a second MA may not be necessary - but a DELTA would fill your CV out nicely. At any rate, with a DELTA, I'd be interested in talking to you as a potential employer (in the figurative sense - we haven't actually got any positions open and I doubt you want to relocate anyway!).

[Sashadroogie]

The DELTA is well worth doing, for anyone who wants to improve their foreign language teaching, as Spiral has said. It does exactly what it says on the tin - it makes you a better English teacher. Even if you think you have no room for improvement . In fact, especially if you think that. I don't know too much about the new modular DELTA, but in my day the course was quite tough, but rewarding.

It's not really designed for someone who has high-level management in mind though. DOS positions usually ask for a DELTA only in so far as this is useful for training basic teachers. In terms of all other aspects of running a school or conducting research, there really isn't anything to be gained from the DELTA.

[china-1994]

"so I know how to teach"
"aiming for either high-level management or university level research"
snobs can't teach ! Why ? Too good for the rabble. Not a challenge.
"Teaching" is a variation on a form of human interaction.I'd say you have jargon and some other people's methodologies, but at best, that makes you cognizant of what happens during the teaching process.

You're coming across as an ambitious snob.In my experience these folks left an anti-learning taste in my brain.

"If you've done the DELTA what was your experience of the course?"
"fairly good grasp of the nuts and bolts of English"

[FrenchLieutenant'sWoman]

[scooby doo]

frenchwoman,

Sashdroogie has a point regarding DELTA for managers.

Have you considered IDLTM, diploma in English Teaching Management? It is geared towards future managers and most people who take this course come from a teaching background. Maybe your MEd and current experience is adequate but you need more skills for administration in a language teaching organization?

Cambridge ESOL does idltm and IH also has an equivalent.

[Pikgitina]

IMO, to do the DELTA! And I can only echo what spiral78 and Sashadroogie have said. I also found that the DELTA was invaluable when it came to teacher observation and support in general. For training in language school management, google IDLTM (International Diploma in Language Teaching Management).

I've always recommended the Seville (IH CLIC) DELTA, based on others' recommendations and first-hand experience. As far as I know, DELTAs are only run at IH Johannesburg if they can get a group of 10 together. Apparently, that doesn't even happen once a year.

[Chancellor]

There's a DVD out called Talking TEFL that is about the TEFL industry and it seems to suggest that if you don't have the DELTA then you're not really qualified as an English language teacher. I obviously don't agree with that view and, apparently, neither do employers that are looking for people who have completed the CELTA, Trinity or SIT courses.

http://www.esldepot.com/product.php/62/15

[naturegirl321]

[twowheel]

^^^bumped.

I have found this thread to be useful and interesting as I am now considering going in on a Delta course.

I'm just fishing for insights and experiences from those who have sat a Delta course.

I am most interested in taking a year off and doing a course (a full-time intensive course) in the Fall of 2016.

I have looked at the websites of IH Newcastle, IH Bangkok/Chiang Mai, Clic IH Seville, and CERT Athens, all of which offer eight or nine-week full-time intensive courses in the fall.

I also looked at IH London's website, but the costs of doing the Delta in London are far higher than those in the aforementioned locales, so I am no longer considering IH London.

I have an M.A. in TESOL (K-12 track for public school ESL teaching) and do have experience with teacher training, but I feel that I still need to sharpen my skills and hone my knowledge.

I am also starting to let go of my doctorate ambitions (after so many years of talking the talk on that front, I am no longer so interested in walking the walk of entering a doctoral program anymore). Nonetheless, I am interested in more training, hence, the Delta.

twowheel

[Sashadroogie]

Go for it!

Best of luck to you.

[twowheel]