Job Discussion Forums

[Mike_2003]

Hello,

Has anyone taken the RSA DELTA course in Turkey (particularly Istanbul)? According to my seach on the 'net, it is available at the "International Training Institute" but their website didn't work so I'm not sure whether they are still running or not.

Did you find the course useful from the point of view of how it improved your teaching?

Thanks.

[pipkin]

International Training Institute still runs two part-time DELTA courses each year - October � May (meet on Wednesdays 13.00 � 17.30)
March � December (meet on Mondays 13.00 � 17.30). For more information you can reach them at
International Training Institute
Istiklal Cad, Kallavi Sk. 7/9
Galatasaray
Istanbul
Phone: 212 243 2888
Fax: 0212 245 3163
Email: [email protected]

[Mike_2003]

Thank you very much for the Info. ,

Have you had any dealings with this institute?

[dmb]

Dear Mike_2003 i did my Dip at ITI a few years ago. I greatly enjoyed the course and benefitted from it greatly. The course tutor Tom Godfrey is excellent along with all the other trainers. I couldn't recomend a better place to do the course. Where do you work by the way. When/if you decide to do it make sure the place where you are working is fairly helpful with regard to levels and number of students.

[Mike_2003]

Hi dmb,

Thank you for your input. At the moment I am not working at a school of any type. This is because I don't have a degree (I went to uni but left after two years for personal reasons and couldn't afford to return to finish the course - and didn't won't to...little did I know then...).

I know many schools will employ a teacher without the legal documentation but I am hesitant to work for anyone who would employ someone like me, i.e. illegally.

I have the CELTA cert. and I have been teaching for over four years. When I first came to Turkey I was working at a large corporation giving private lessons to the high-level managers and group lessons to the sales staff. I was able to avoid the work permit issue by being employed under a different title - they dealt with it somehow (probably involving a little "grease to the wheels"). I wasn't totally happy there despite the reasonably reliable income and after a couple of years I decided to expand the private lessons into a full-time thing. I thoroughly enjoy this style of work and it suits my personality perfectly - no office politics, choose my students, methods, work hours and work places, no bosses and petty squabbling amongst employees - well, basically I love it and take it very seriously and thankfully this is reflected in the success I've had with my students in terms of their results, commitment and attendance.

However, the downside of all this is that I have little contact with the teaching community and I am always conscious of my need to improve my knowledge and skills. Also, there is always the possibility that one day I'll be in a position to work legally in a school and at the moment I have the free time to attend a course such as the DELTA.

From your post I get the impression that the trainers are required to observe you in your place of work. If this is the case, and taking into account what I have just stated, am I even eligible to join the course?

Take care,
Mike

[pipkin]

Check out the requirements for the course and the application procedure below (I received this information from ITI about half a year ago):

Requirements:

Applicants must:

- be 20 years old;
- have an awareness of language and competence
in English, both written and spoken, that enables them
to undertake the course (for non-native speakers, they
usually require proof of language exams taken. An
acceptable one would be , for example, an IELTS score
of 8 or above);
- have qualifications that would allow you
entry into further education in your country (I.E.
university level entrance qualifications, but
exceptions can be made for mature students);
- successfully complete the application
procedure.
- have a minimum of two years full time EFL
employment.
- show evidence of an interest in teacher
development i.e. subscription to relevant
publications, attendance at workshops, seminars,
conferences etc.
- be in full-time EFL employment for the
duration of the course and have the written permission
of their employer to follow the course.


Application Procedure:

- Complete the application form and essay and
return to I.T.I.

- The centre will then contact you to arrange
an interview. At the interview, you will be asked to
complete a language and methodology awareness task and
another short essay. The aim of the tasks is to help
assess your suitability for the course, and your
ability to develop an awareness of language. They will also
ask you about your views on language learning and
teaching. Interviews may be individual or in groups.
You should allow at least one and a half hours for the
process.

- On completion of a successful interview, you
will be offered a place on the next available course
and you will be asked to pay a deposit to secure your
place.

If you are not in Istanbul, they can arrange a phone
interview, but unfortunately this will be at you own
expense.
For more information about the Cambridge DELTA
scheme, visit the CILTS web site at:
http://www.edunet.com/ciltsrsa

[Faustino]

Poor kid...

http://ebaumsworld.com/2006/07/mazeprankcry.html