Job Discussion Forums

wheatifus · Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 2:23 pm Post subject: DELTA in Spain?

Is it possible (I'm sure it will be) to do the DELTA or Trinity equivalent in Spain? ... Barcelona or Madrid ideally. How much would it cost and are there any institutions there where you can do the DELTA and be given the opportunity to work for them afterwards?

I'd appreciate any info. Thanks!

wheatifus · Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 2:32 pm Post subject:

Oh OK... If I'd scrolled down a bit, I would have seen that this question has already been answered. So International House does it. Any others? ... and how much does it cost/how long is it? ...and the same question as above applies about working in the same institution afterwards.

Ta

DIPTESOL · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 42

I did mine at Oxford TEFL, Barcelona. It was a great experience and you can do it full-time or part-time (part online and part face to face)
The tutors were supportive and had expansive knowledge.
There would be possibilities of working there afterwards too or getting advice from the employmeny officer there.
Good luck!

forest1979 · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 507 Location: SE Asia

Check the IH BCN website about the Delta. All answers to your questions are given there.

SirKirby · Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 261 Location: Barcelona, Spain

Can't tell you about Madrid, but you can certainly do it at the two centres in Barcelona mentioned -- Cambridge ESOL DELTA in the case of IH Barcelona, Trinity at Oxford TEFL.

The former is (2008) about 2800 euros, the latter about 2600 euros, both including the exam fees.

Which is a better course...? I'd say only someone who has done both could say that (ie. no one ,-) !

I doubt very much if any school would guarantee you work with them afterwards (and I'd be a bit suspicious of them if they did, before they've seen you teach).

A school which sees on the course that you're an outstanding teacher will obviously be interested in employing you afterwards, of course.

IH BCN
http://www.ihes.com/bcn/tt/delta/delta.html

Oxford
http://www.oxfordtefl.com/

forest1979 · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 507 Location: SE Asia

Anyone with a DELTA or the like in hand has a damn good position in the Spanish TEFL industry. Plenty of people have CELTAs, etc., but there are far, far fewer with the advanced qualifications. Furthermore there's a hell of a lot of work involved in the DELTAs of this world so having one shows a hell of a lot of motivation and dedication to quality English teaching. It maybe doesn't guarantee a job, but it's hardly a disadvantage!!

SirKirby · Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 261 Location: Barcelona, Spain

DELTA (or Trinity) is very definitely an advantage -- but Wheatifus wanted to know "are there any institutions there where you can do the DELTA and be given the opportunity to work for them afterwards?"

I'd say no school will (should) give you a guarantee of that...

forest1979 · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 507 Location: SE Asia

It's true that there's no guarantees but I knew of a student on my CELTA course at IH BCN who was offered part-time work immediately after completing the course, as she impressed so much. However her employment coincided with someone on the staff leaving so...

Insubordination · Joined: 07 Nov 2007 Posts: 394 Location: Sydney

I'm thinking of going to Spain in Sept next year but am a bit worried about my quals. I'm an Australian with an EU passport (thanks Dad!) and speak fluent LAm Spanish (thanks student exchange program!).

I've been an ESL teacher/ DoS for 6 years (DoSsing sucks BTW). In my country, CELTA is not the standard (it is offered in a few places but people usually do it to work overseas, not locally).

I have a Diploma in TESOL from an Australian university. It was 1 year full-time and had two supervised practicum placements. In your opinion, do you think Spanish employers would disregard it because they are unfamiliar with it? It's too expensive to go and take out a CELTA as well. I will need that dough for my rent.

SirKirby · Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 261 Location: Barcelona, Spain

Personally (and from experience as a DoS in a large language school), I'd say not having CELTA won't be a problem.

Remember that in many language schools your "Spanish employer" is in fact probably a Brit, or at least the DoS making the job offer is.

Emphasize your EU passport on your CV, don't over-emphasize the DoS bit (in case they think you are too qualified), and it shouldn't be a problem.

You've got experience plus a qualification -- that's more than a lot of ELT job seekers have got, as many are newly qualified.

Insubordination · Joined: 07 Nov 2007 Posts: 394 Location: Sydney

Thanks for the tips - very useful and I'm glad I asked. I truly won't mind 'just' teaching for a while and have no ambitions other than to be a good teacher and meet interesting students at this point. Grass is always greener I guess.

I did not realise that the Directors might be Brits.

I contacted the British Council and they said my qual would be fine so I'm happy. Now - just have to save some more dosh and pick a city. Not truly keen on Madrid but I'm not sure why. I guess idea of a big, bustling city doesn't appeal to me.

Moore · Joined: 25 Aug 2004 Posts: 730 Location: Madrid

"bustling" is all relative: Madrid is a very laid back place considering it's the capital of the world's 14th biggest economy. Personally I think it's just right - big enough to be interesting and have loads of business opportunities, but small enough so getting around by metro or bicycle is not a total ball-ache and the place still has a small city feel.

alexcase · Joined: 26 Jul 2007 Posts: 215 Location: Seoul

British Language Centre in Madrid do the DELTA