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Does DELTA Location Matter?

 
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bj80



Joined: 31 Mar 2017
Posts: 63

PostPosted: Sun Aug 18, 2019 4:38 am    Post subject: Does DELTA Location Matter? Reply with quote

Hi Everyone,

I still am in ESL. I agree it is only a moderate fit for me. But, because the demand worldwide is so high everywhere outside Western Anglophone countries, it is always good to have more training as a fallback.

1. I want to do a DELTA, as it will help me be a specialist. I know many of you have generously posted threads that it does indeed lead to skills development, and an extra credential causes advances in careers.

2. Will location matter at all?

I want to stay working in China, simply because the quantity of opportunities is so high.

However, Chinese can be so ignorant and narrow minded in their thinking. They may not respect a DELTA from a place like Thailand as much as China, even though the quality is the same.

3. Any other opinions to share?

I am getting ready to apply, as the application packet is tough. I would love the DELTA in Thailand, because Thailand is such a relaxing place.
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nomad soul



Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world

PostPosted: Mon Aug 19, 2019 8:40 am    Post subject: Re: Does DELTA Location Matter? Reply with quote

bj80 wrote:
However, Chinese can be so ignorant and narrow minded in their thinking. They may not respect a DELTA from a place like Thailand as much as China, even though the quality is the same.

The Delta is offered through Cambridge Assessment English in the UK and not some foreign entity in Thailand, China, Timbuktu... wherever: https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/teaching-english/teaching-qualifications/delta/
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nimadecaomei



Joined: 22 Sep 2016
Posts: 605

PostPosted: Mon Aug 19, 2019 11:18 am    Post subject: Re: Does DELTA Location Matter? Reply with quote

nomad soul wrote:

The Delta is offered through Cambridge Assessment English in the UK and not some foreign entity in Thailand, China, Timbuktu... wherever: https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/teaching-english/teaching-qualifications/delta/


That is all well and good, but it is offered through institutions in these countries. As much as people would like all assessment to be completely blind and standard, employers understand that things are different in different places. It is like IELTS, the test is meant to be uniform and standard, but do you think a Polish person and a Vietnamese person ever would have the same experience in the exam?

I am lucky, even though I did my PGCE in China, it shows no mention of that on the document. I am sure, however, that students in the UK would have needed to put in a lot more work.

Sorry, that was going a bit away from the main topic the OP asked about, so I will get back to it.

To the OP, I see no reason a Chinese employer would have an issue with a DELTA issued in Thailand. The better employers might ask why Thailand, but you could just tell them what you said here as it is reasonable enough to explain it. I actually think Chinese employers would prefer certs from outside of China, but that again would be a whole other discussion.
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bj80



Joined: 31 Mar 2017
Posts: 63

PostPosted: Mon Aug 19, 2019 12:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the answers.

Even though I did not realize it at the time, I was looking for reassurance.

1. I was thinking of Thailand just because the visa is easier to get, and stay there. Plus, Thailand has such good weather, food, etc. Of all places to be stuck for a little before and after, Thailand is the place.

2. I do commend CELTA and DELTA for having standardized quality around the world. I cannot imagine DELTA in a center in Thailand vs. DELTA somewhere else would be the same as university degrees.

3. Yes, Chinese are judgmental and simply do not know what is the best and what is not. But, certainly getting a DELTA beats getting no DELTA.

4. I think I will at least apply. Whatever happens next happens next.

I certainly need more skills in ESL teaching, and ESL is giving a surprisingly good backup plan and way to make extra cash, even though it still dissatisfies me as a standalone field (the way something like law or engineering would).
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nomad soul



Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world

PostPosted: Mon Aug 19, 2019 3:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

nimadecaomei wrote:
nomad soul wrote:
The Delta is offered through Cambridge Assessment English in the UK and not some foreign entity in Thailand, China, Timbuktu... wherever: https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/teaching-english/teaching-qualifications/delta/

That is all well and good, but it is offered through institutions in these countries. As much as people would like all assessment to be completely blind and standard, employers understand that things are different in different places.

To the OP, I see no reason a Chinese employer would have an issue with a DELTA issued in Thailand.

My point was that there are no other versions of the Delta; location does not matter. Although there are course providers worldwide, the Delta is a standardized qualification originated, evaluated and issued by Cambridge English.

bj80 wrote:
I cannot imagine DELTA in a center in Thailand vs. DELTA somewhere else would be the same as university degrees.

Regardless of where the training is conducted, the Delta isn't a university degree.
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bj80



Joined: 31 Mar 2017
Posts: 63

PostPosted: Tue Aug 20, 2019 2:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thank you, Nomad Soul. We are agreeing with each other.

What I mean is that, among countries, universities differ in quality and reputation.

Yet, a DELTA anywhere from a certified center is the same as anywhere else in terms of quality.

In reputation, it should be the same. However, what another person thinks is subjective, as reputation always is.
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nimadecaomei



Joined: 22 Sep 2016
Posts: 605

PostPosted: Tue Aug 20, 2019 6:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

My point was I studied my PGCE with the same department and faculty that students at the university in the UK studied with, but I am pretty sure that situations related to location caused changes in the curriculum and such (even if the university would claim it is standardized). You can get two CELTA holders, for example, who had completely different experiences based on location and instructors. There is simply no way different teachers teaching on the same module would be able to deliver the exact same content in the exact same way, unless they were robots of course.

To be clear, I am not saying that the quality is better here or there, just that as much as they try it can never be exactly the same.
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twowheel



Joined: 03 Jul 2015
Posts: 753

PostPosted: Tue Aug 20, 2019 10:14 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

bj80 wrote:
2. Will location matter at all?

I want to stay working in China, simply because the quantity of opportunities is so high.

I am getting ready to apply, as the application packet is tough. I would love the DELTA in Thailand, because Thailand is such a relaxing place.


I would say that any Delta provider is going to be adequate. As nomad soul has mentioned, they will have to meet certain standards in order to continue to run a Delta course.

I guess it would then come down to dates and locations: when can you do it and where would you like to do it? You have mentioned Thailand--the place to do it there is International House in Bangkok...and also in Chiang Mai.

That would be great--doing a Delta in Chiang Mai in International House's Training Centre there--complete with dormitory, cafeteria, and pool.

I wish their Module Two course started just two weeks earlier in the summer to accommodate my schedule (they run from early August to mid-September). I would love to do a Delta Module Two course in Chiang Mal.

Warm regards,
twowheel
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bj80



Joined: 31 Mar 2017
Posts: 63

PostPosted: Wed Oct 23, 2019 4:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the info.

I did indeed complete a DELTA Module one course in Chiang Mai.

I agree that the place was excellent. I stayed at a cheap hotel nearby (for about 13 USD a night).

Food at the IH center, and near the center was good.

I got a lot of bike riding in. I was able to ride a bike into the Chiang Mai city proper in about 1.5 hours, with plenty of good eating along the way!

Teachers in the DELTA had their own teaching style, and where laid back.

I even ordered and left about 3.5 kilograms of Yerba Mate for the center to try and use, as it is in short supply.

If you come in the next few years, try Jasmine's restaurant, which is a ten minute walk from the center (or a five minute bike ride, just down the street). Excellent Thai food in good portions for only 60 - 90 baht, from a female woman who got all of her training and experience from working at a restaurant.
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