Job Discussion Forums

[Takahiwai]

Please excuse me if this question has been asked before, but is the DELTA of any use in this part of the world? I've always managed to resist its 'charms' up till now, but the nights are long out here in the desert, and there is a course starting up which doesn't require a 320 km round-trip to the big smoke. Any advice or information gratefully received.

[mishmumkin]

Though perhaps practical, you'll really need a MA TESOL or related degree for uni teaching. MA plus the delta (which lots of people have since they did the DELTA ages ago and then were told they'd need the MA) wouldn't hurt, though wouldn't be necessary for obtaining a job.

[veiledsentiments]

If you plan on staying in the schools, a DELTA may be useful to you in overseas positions. If you want to eventually move up to university level, it would probably not... and an MA would be better.

Not sure of your nationality, but it wouldn't be much good if you were American - and will eventually go back there to teach - as I don't believe that it is widely recognized in the US school systems. They want to see state certification and have a whole other set of hoops to jump through.

VS

[mishmumkin]

[Takahiwai]

Thank you for the information. I have been wondering about the practicalities of doing a job-related Masters and a DELTA at the same time. It's possible my head would explode at the unexpected workload though . I'd always believed DELTA to have most sway in Europe, and as I'm enjoying my extended break from the language schools of Spain I think I will probably go with the advice you have given. Thanks again.

[Iamherebecause]

British Language schools e.g British Council etc still like the DELTA world wide. Also, should you ever want to move into teacher training if you have an MA and no practical qualification which included teaching practice then it makes it a lot harder. It depends on your career plan (as if people in TEFL have those...)

DELTA and MA simultaneously? sounds crazy - the desert nights must be very long indeed where you live in order for you even to contemplate it. I'd say if the DELTA is available and not too pricey then go for it, and do the MA immediately afterwards as you will then be in the rhythm of studying and will be recycling ideas. Especially if the MA you are contemplating has no practicum (and it you are studying at distance that's unlikely)

[Takahiwai]

Thanks Iamherebecause - that also sounds like a good plan, and as I am a classic headless chicken where planning for the future is concerned it sounds suspiciously structured . The deadline for submitting a CV is this afternoon at 4 pm, and so I have done that just to buy myself an extra couple of days to ponder my options. It's not a particularly cheap course, the same price as it would have been in Spain I suspect, but the fact that it is only 10km down the track instead of 160km is a big plus point. Many thanks for your input - I like your suggestion.

[NadiaK]

If it were me (which it isn't), I would do the DELTA. You still have the option of doing the MA.

I've done both, and it was the Dip which hands down had the greatest impact on my teaching.

As other posters have mentioned, the lack of TP on some Masters' courses may impact your skills and your hirability (HCT, for example, requires one's teaching qualification to have included a practicum). Plus while some employers require an MA, some require either MA OR Dip (e.g. HCT), and some prefer a Dip over an MA.

Good luck with your decision!

[Takahiwai]

Thanks for the advice. Actually, it is at HCT that the DELTA course is being offered. Perhaps it is their cunning way of attracting new blood to the wilds of Madinat Zayed .