Job Discussion Forums

[kungfu]

Which is best to get the DELTA or an MA TEFL? You can earn good money as a manager with a DELTA and I think it only takes about 1 or 2 months to get. An MA TEFL takes a year and you're only going to be on the same money afterwards.

[Hatcher]

DELTAs are rare and most are in admin. I think it is over rated.
I would say MA.

[Laurence]

I have worked with a few people that had an MA TESOL and it seems like it can be a pretty easy course. I haven't found MA TESOL grads to be at all distinguished in terms of knowledge and skills in the workplace though... I suspect it can be a bit of a fluff option. Probably looks good on paper to most people though.

The DELTA is much harder, much more specific and much more intense, but I'm not sure how widely recognized it is.

[wailing_imam]

The DELTA is great if you are working within the ESL and EFL context.

An MA is great if you want to teach EAP and work in a university teaching context.

The best paid English teaching jobs are generally in the university teaching context, though there are of course some exceptions.

A DELTA is a diploma and therefore not as advanced a qualification as an MA.

I have both the diploma and an MA. The diploma gave me an advanced insight into the realities of every day classroom teaching, and the MA introduced me to the rigours of academic research related to TEFL. The diploma also was used as credit on my MA course (one third of the total credits).

The Imam

[The bear]

The MA and DELTA are potentially two very different qualifications.

The DELTA is definitely practical. It's all about classroom realities, underpinned by theory.

The MA (can be) all theory. It's possible to do an MA in TESOL/Applied Linguistics without teaching a class.

Of course different MA courses will have different modules. So they could be very similar or very different - depending on the MA.

For China I'd go with the MA every time. Just because most employers do not recognise the DELTA.

[Noelle]

I've done the MA in TESOL and DELTA. MA is definitely better for Asia (and a must for the Middle East if you're ever looking for big $$) and will open more doors. DELTA can be pricy and less recognized (unless you're in Europe or UK), but very useful from a practical or professional development standpoint. I believe it deserves the same recognition as an MA TESOL, as it is considerably harder and more intensive. Hopefully one day...

[ttxor1]

i think we need to be clear about what the DELTA entails:

Module 1 - A written exam of a few hours;

Module 2 - 2 months of observed teaching; and

Module 3 - A written paper.

http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/teaching-english/teaching-qualifications/delta/about-the-delta-modules/

I have not done the DELTA, but have spoken to friends who have... based on these conversations:

One could theoretically just show up for the exam for Module 1 (having paid the fee, of course). One wouldn't probably pass the exam without any input, but there isn't any input required for Module 1. Highly advisable, but not required. This means that Module 1 equals a few hours of coursework.

Those that have done a state teaching certificate or practicum as a part of their MA would probably do a semester's worth of observed teaching. Thus, Module 2 is half of the length of a practicum in an MA or a BA in Education/TESOL.

If one has done an MA TESOL, Module 3 shouldn't take more than a few weeks. Needs analysis, syllabus design and course development are topics that would be covered in an MA in TESOL, and assessment would be after a semester's worth of work. If one has done an MA TESOL, you should know what references are needed for the various parts of the paper. If you no longer have access to your university's library, just email a friend or former professor to send you scans of the relevant book chapters.

This equals a bit more than 2 months of required coursework. A few hours for Module 1, 2 months for Module 2, and however long it takes one to write a paper that repeats information from an MA TESOL for Module 3.

An MA is 1 year (UK) or 2 years (US) of required coursework.

So, no way the DELTA should be equal to an MA TESOL.

The folks that I have spoken to say that employers really only value Module 2.

My plan: do Module 2, and while I wouldn't have the DELTA, I still get a certificate attesting the successful completion of the most important part of the DELTA.

I have an MA TESOL, and for professional development reasons, have tried to do the DELTA. Outside of the UK its kinda difficult to find a center which offers all three Modules. I've emailed centres which are listed on Cambridge's website. Some don't respond at all, others reply with something like, "Our next course will be in 2030..Do some reading in the meantime." When I was at ILA, the DELTA course that was scheduled was cancelled due to low enrollment. Moreover, only those who have generous vacation time (and significant savings) can take the two months off work to complete Module 2.

If one wants to cover both bases, just do an MA TESOL which includes a semester of practicum.

[rachmaninov3]

I can't do an MA TESOL because I have a degree in music not English. I have a CELTA but that's not good enough to enrol on an MA TESOL course. The only thing I can do is a DELTA.

[The bear]

[nomad soul]

[rachmaninov3]

Yes it is. It confers degree pass status. It also took 4 years to get and a BA only takes 3 years.

[nomad soul]

[rachmaninov3]

Yes y ou are correct there. China must have a BA degree. WSI told me they can't take my application forward because the chinese authorities are strict with that they will accept. The only way I can teach in china is to teach on a business visa or possibly teach piano, which is what the diploma is for. I've applied for a piano teaching position today actually, because I'm getting nowhere with ESL/EFL teaching in China

[nomad soul]

[Andre 3000]

Rachmaninov3, there is a thread on the Saudi forum about cross referencing qualifications - you may find some useful info there:

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=113522