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Splitting Hairs
Joined: 20 Sep 2007
Posts: 99
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 Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 7:43 pm Post subject: DELTA Force |
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As the ADU thread is now a debate on the DELTA/MA let me ask this
What level are tertiary students here in the UAE
What is the entrance requirements of your place in terms of TOEFL/IELTS
Who is best to teach them
DELTA trained
MA Trained
CELTA Trained
Teacher Certified (K-12)
or which combination?
We all know that most of the Universities (not necessarily the better ones!!) require an MA but if we take the debate away from the comfort zone of the Middle East and transfer our students into the USA, Australian, Canadian, or European market, where would our students land
Freshman/Undergraduate
Grade 10-12
Presessional |
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GlobalDawg
Joined: 24 Jan 2003
Posts: 91
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| Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 8:55 pm Post subject: |
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Well Splitting Hairs . . . (aka Splitting Headache every once in a while) 
My sense of it is that they would land in Grade 10-12 based on prior knowledge, cognitive development and language proficiency. However, based on foreign affairs (the financial support they would receive to attend schools in western countries) they would land in Freshman/Undergradute programs (some matriculated as Juniors) at some of the best universities. And, they would graduate within two or three years. I know a few who have done this.
The best to teach them would be Certified Teachers K-12. |
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Zoot
Joined: 15 Jun 2007
Posts: 408
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| Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2009 6:26 am Post subject: |
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| Splittinghairs, if these students were to be transferred to the markets you suggest, you'd find most in Grades 9 - 10. Maturity level, cognitive ability, English language would all prevent them from being graded any higher. However, a B.Ed will not get you a job in a uni in the UAE's university system. You absolutely MUST have a CELTA, DELTA, ESL or TESOL qualification. |
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BrownSauce
Joined: 31 Dec 2008
Posts: 87
Location: Fantasy Island
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| Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2009 7:24 am Post subject: CELTA snobs |
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The CELTA is a 4-week course that teaches you how to be an effective deliverer of published EFL/ESL course materials - and little else. A Masters is usually almost entirely theoretical, and is often based around second language acquisition, discourse analysis, phonetics, etc etc. They are as different as chalk and cheese, in my opinion, and those 'CELTA-belters' who attempt to look down on their better-qualified colleagues are guilty of inverted snobbery (something that comes quite naturally to the Brits, by the way)
A Diploma, or DELTA, is somewhere in the middle, but still veering towards the practical rather than theoretical, I would say. In an ideal world all teachers would have both, I guess - the practical and the theoretical.
But let's look at things this way, if we want to have an argument about which is the better approach. How would you feel if you were treated by a 'doctor' who only had a First Aid certificate? Yes, that's the CELTA teacher - a 'nurse' in medical terms, I suppose, who is much better suited to the hands-on approach, rather than making decisions, which is the job of the doctor, who has had suitable extensive education and training.
The problem is that, in the UAE they want 'nurses' with a doctor's qualifications. Even worse, some of these 'nurses' think they're better than the doctors! |
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Never Ceased To Be Amazed
Joined: 22 Oct 2004
Posts: 3500
Location: Shhh...don't talk to me...I'm playin' dead...
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| Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2009 10:39 am Post subject: Re: CELTA snobs |
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| BrownSauce wrote: |
The CELTA is a 4-week course that teaches you how to be an effective deliverer of published EFL/ESL course materials - and little else. A Masters is usually almost entirely theoretical, and is often based around second language acquisition, discourse analysis, phonetics, etc etc. They are as different as chalk and cheese, in my opinion, and those 'CELTA-belters' who attempt to look down on their better-qualified colleagues are guilty of inverted snobbery (something that comes quite naturally to the Brits, by the way)
I find this to be a fascination exchange of ideas and information (why I live here, of course). BS (Ha!), my opinion is that you're being too harsh on the denizens on the other side of the pond...I hear what you're saying, but I believe that you, as I was many years ago, had some bad examples presented to you. If you work where I work, we're all one big family, and, if "they" pop off about "us" in private, then, they do a disservice to themselves.
In fact, one of my closest mates once remarked that I was the most anti-American on staff...and I'm an American vet...but a patriot first. I disagreed with the previous American administration. Getting on with it...I find your explanation of the Master-holder to be absolutely correct.
It was to my advantage that I worked at a conversational school whilst I was pursuing my Masters. Sure, I didn't have to teach classes under the supervision of a trainer, but the people in the next cubicle we're very often CELTA holders, so I am confident if I were make dramatic mistakes, it would've have been mentioned in passing as many of those Brits helped me mellow my feelings after being presented the faulty examples as earlier mentioned. Also, as I was learning all of the theoretical underpinnings that you listed, I was able to experiment with these in the cubicles. It was unfortunate that I was unable to conduct the action research that I proposed many times...but then again, they were only in it for the money.
A Diploma, or DELTA, is somewhere in the middle, but still veering towards the practical rather than theoretical, I would say. In an ideal world all teachers would have both, I guess - the practical and the theoretical.
But let's look at things this way, if we want to have an argument about which is the better approach. How would you feel if you were treated by a 'doctor' who only had a First Aid certificate? Yes, that's the CELTA teacher - a 'nurse' in medical terms, I suppose, who is much better suited to the hands-on approach, rather than making decisions, which is the job of the doctor, who has had suitable extensive education and training.
I found it interesting when the people interviewing (both British, I assumed) me were seemingly surprised when they found out that I didn't have supervised lessons whilst working on my M. Ed., but they were consoled by the fact that I did serve a practicum whilst earning my B. Ed.
The problem is that, in the UAE they want 'nurses' with a doctor's qualifications. Even worse, some of these 'nurses' think they're better than the doctors!
All in all, it works out in the end. In my system we are required to observe others yearly and next year, I will specifically seek out a DELTA-holder to observe our differing (possibly) approaches to the point of the lesson.
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NCTBA
Christ! that was a horrid first attempt. Maybe, I am under the influence of "Bahrani Bebsi"?
Last edited by Never Ceased To Be Amazed on Sat Jun 06, 2009 11:16 am; edited 1 time in total |
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littleoldlady
Joined: 06 Apr 2009
Posts: 286
Location: knitting heaven
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| Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2009 10:50 am Post subject: |
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| Thank YOU NCTBA for sticking up for us Brits. I get weary of these stereotypes. Just as I get sick of Brits bad mouthing Americans. Some of you are LUUUUVELY. |
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Never Ceased To Be Amazed
Joined: 22 Oct 2004
Posts: 3500
Location: Shhh...don't talk to me...I'm playin' dead...
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| Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2009 11:18 am Post subject: |
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You're a dear, lol...BTW, VS concurs! 
NCTBA |
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littleoldlady
Joined: 06 Apr 2009
Posts: 286
Location: knitting heaven
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| Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2009 11:32 am Post subject: |
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Ahhhhhhhhh. Now I have a lovely warm fuzzy feeling.  Sh...t it's a rat running up my leg. Geeerrrrrrrooooooooffffffffff.  |
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Never Ceased To Be Amazed
Joined: 22 Oct 2004
Posts: 3500
Location: Shhh...don't talk to me...I'm playin' dead...
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| Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2009 11:45 am Post subject: |
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Time for a group hug everyone! (God know that we need them now and again...especially that the end of the year is nigh!)
NCTBA |
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