Job Discussion Forums

[Sashadroogie]

I'd opt for the CELTA first. Even though an entry cert is not a requirement to get on the DELTA course, it will stand you in good stead when you enter a Dip level course.

A relatively simple thing like a clear, reconstructable TEFL lesson plan is often a challenge for experienced teachers who are not used to rendering their lessons in this way. Accepting feedback and incorporating it in the next lesson is a skill from the CELTA that becomes more important in the DELTA

Also, you will have an interview to enroll for the DELTA. I'm fairly sure that the question will come up as to why a prior CELTA was deemed unnecessary. I don't think that reasons of economy are well-received.

Obviously, it all depends on the specifics of the candidate. A PGCE may well count for a lot more with DELTA trainers than I know. One thing I do know is that a CELTA cert is not absolutely mandatory - here are the requirements from the website:

Am I eligible to apply?
Ideally you should:

have at least two years' full time (1,200 hours) experience of teaching English to adults within the past five years
have a range of teaching experience in different contexts and at different levels
be a graduate and/or have an initial teaching qualification
have a standard of English which will enable you to teach at a range of levels.
Centres may still accept you if you do not strictly meet all of these requirements but can demonstrate that you would be likely to complete the course successfully. This is entirely at your centre's discretion.

http://www.cambridgeesol.org/exams/teaching-awards/delta.html

Best of luck with whichever you choose.

[PierogiMonster]

Thanks for the advice, both.

I've decided to go for the CELTA. On a practical level, I live in the same city as the course and I'll be free to study for whole month (it's outside of term time).

Sashadroogie, I hear what you say about needing a good foundation before the DELTA. Although I know I'm a very good teacher, I have some gaps e.g. the ability to construct good lesson plans (instead of relying on a well-written coursebook, for example). Anybody who is self-taught in anything (playing the guitar, tennis, teaching, etc) is bound to have grey areas which will need to be looked at sooner or later, if they wish to progress.

Also (quite importantly), I'd like to being the CELTA in a year or two, so I'd better know what I'm talking about!