Cambridge DELTA and Trinity LTCL DipTESOL

Taking a diploma-level qualification is the next big step after your initial TEFL qualification and a couple of years of teaching experience. The decision to take this qualification might follow the realisation that TEFL is no longer just a gap year option for you, but a real career which you now wish to pursue and develop. In the likes of the UK and Spain, you might find that the better quality schools now insist on a Diploma-level qualification. For the most part though, a Cambridge DELTA or Trinity LTCL DipTESOL will open the doors that lead to greater responsibility within a school - whether as a senior teacher, Assistant DOS, DOS, or into teacher training or general school management.

Advanced TEFL Courses - The Cambridge DELTA
Diploma in Teaching English as a Foreign Language
[Information supplied is Courtesy of Cambridge ESOL]

What is DELTA?

The Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults (DELTA) is an internationally recognised qualification for English Language teachers who wish to progress their careers. If you already have substantial experience of teaching English to adult speakers of other languages, DELTA will help you:

• deepen your understanding of the principles and practice of teaching the
• English Language to adults
• examine your current practices and beliefs
• apply the results of your learning and reflection to your current teaching position and more senior roles.

Teachers in Further, Adult and Community Education in England and Wales can get more information: click here for details of the Level 4 Certificate in Further Education Teaching at Stage 3 and Certificate for ESOL Subject Specialists.

Is DELTA a TEFL qualification?

'TEFL' or 'TESOL' are general terms sometimes used to refer to qualifications for English Language teachers. DELTA is an advanced 'TEFL/TESOL' qualification for practising English Language teachers who are looking for further career development. You may also hear mention of the 'RSA diploma'. Again people are referring to DELTA, as Cambridge ESOL took over RSA certificates and diplomas for teachers in 1988.

Who is DELTA for?

DELTA is designed as a qualification for practising English Language teachers, anywhere in the world, who already have substantial teaching experience. You may be a graduate, or may already hold an initial teaching qualification, and are considering DELTA as a route to further career progression. The qualification is ideal if you wish to extend your professional experience and take on new responsibilities as it demonstrates not only a commitment to the profession, but also acts as proof of your ability.

You may be looking for an opportunity to increase your understanding of the principles and practice of English Language teaching to help improve your overall performance in the classroom. As part of this process, DELTA courses encourage you to analyse your existing practices and beliefs and help you to apply the results of your learning and reflection to your current professional life and to contexts beyond your present and previous teaching experience.

What does DELTA involve?

You can take DELTA full time (typically 2-3 months), or part time (from six months to over a year). Your chosen course will feature a balance of theory and practice to help you enhance your understanding of the English Language and how to describe it, whilst examining in depth the principles of effective teaching and the practical skills needed for teaching English to adult learners.
The course includes teaching practice, observation of experienced teachers in the classroom, completion of a range of practically focused written assignments, an extended assignment and a written examination.

There are six main units of learning:
- Understanding, knowledge and awareness of language
- The background to teaching and learning English at adult level
- Resources and materials
- Working in the classroom
- Evaluation, monitoring and assessment
- Professional development

As part of your course you should expect 120 contact hours with fellow candidates and course tutors and ten hours of teaching adults. Four of these lessons will be supervised and assessed by a course tutor and one will be externally assessed. In addition you will have ten hours directed observation of lessons, with five of these being live lessons taught by experienced teachers. You will spend around 300 hours on reading, research and assignment writing.

There are three components of assessment:
Coursework - There are seven coursework assignments. Six of these are internally assessed; the seventh is externally assessed. In addition there is overall external moderation of each candidate's individual coursework by Cambridge ESOL.

Extended Assignment - The extended assignment is a case study of a learner. It is supervised by the centre and externally marked.

Written Examination - The written examination is externally set and marked.
To be awarded the Diploma, you must pass all three components. There are two grades - Pass and Distinction.

Who recognises DELTA?

DELTA is accepted throughout the world by organisations which employ English Language teachers. It has been accredited by the UK Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) as a Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages at level 5 on the National Qualifications Framework. DELTA is also integrated into some MA programmes. Cambridge ESOL works with international ELT organisations to ensure the acceptance of DELTA globally.

Am I eligible to apply?

Ideally you should:
- have at least two years' full time (1,200 hours) experience of teaching English to adults within the past five years
- have a range of teaching experience in different contexts and at different levels
- be a graduate and/or have an initial teaching qualification
- have a standard of English which will enable you to teach at a range of levels.

Centres may still accept you if you do not strictly meet all of these requirements but can demonstrate that you would be likely to complete the course successfully. This is entirely at your chosen centre's discretion.

How do I apply?

DELTA courses are designed by individual centres, based on specifications produced by Cambridge ESOL. You can click on the courses available to get more information.

Advanced TEFL Courses - The Trinity LTCL DipTESOL
Licentiate Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages LTCL Diploma TESOL (LTCL DipTESOL)
[Information supplied is adapted from Trinity College London's website]

The Qualification

The LTCL Diploma TESOL is a significantly higher qualification than the CertTESOL. Teachers who attain the qualification will be qualified at level 2 of the British Association of TESOL Qualifying Institutions framework of specifications and deemed eligible for senior teaching and management responsibilities. Both qualifications are accepted as full TESOL qualifications by employers worldwide including the British Council.

Examinations and Eligibility for LTCL Diploma TESOL
LTCL Diploma TESOL examinations consist of one externally examined written paper, one internally assessed and externally moderated coursework portfolio, one externally examined interview and a teaching practice component consisting of four internally assessed and externally moderated lessons and one externally examined lesson. All components are therefore examined or moderated by Trinity examiners.

All candidates must have completed a Trinity validated course. In addition they must have a first degree or equivalent, at least two years' recent full-time ESOL teaching experience, and competence in spoken and written English as appropriate to a teacher of English at advanced levels. Independent candidates are not eligible to enter for these examinations.

Validation of Courses Providing LTCL Diploma TESOL
Trinity requires institutions to successfully complete a validation process and be inspected annually in order to provide courses leading to examinations in the LTCL Diploma TESOL.

DipTESOL – Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Diploma course cost?
Individual course providers set their own course fees, which vary considerably. We'll soon be providing an easy comparison table of the various costs involved.

How do I apply for the course?
Different course providers will have their own application procedures. Details are available on each course application form.

When do the courses start?
Different centres will run courses at different times throughout the year; We will do our very best to help you find the course and start date you need.

Can I do the Diploma by distance learning?
Many Diploma courses do include a distance learning element. However, these also have an intensive face-to-face phase, during which further training takes place and Parts 2, 3 and 4 of the examination are assessed and examined.

What formal qualifications do I need to do the course?
The Licentiate Diploma is an advanced postgraduate qualification. Candidates should have a first degree and at least two years' experience of full-time ESOL teaching.

What does the Diploma course involve?
Under the original syllabus, which was phased out in December 2003, courses did not need to be validated by Trinity and candidates could enter either independently or at the conclusion of a course. The examination process involves two written papers, an interview and one observed lesson, externally assessed by Trinity examiners.

Under the revised syllabus, introduced in 2001, candidates have to follow a recognised course validated by Trinity. The examination for the revised syllabus comprises four parts:
· Part 1 Written paper
· Part 2 Coursework Portfolio
· Part 3 Interview
· Part 4 Classroom teaching

All components are examined or moderated by Trinity examiners.

Is the Trinity LTCL Diploma internationally recognised?
It is recognised by the British Association of TESOL Qualifying Institutions and by BIELT. It is also accepted as an advanced qualification by the British Council under their 'English in Britain' Accreditation Scheme. Many UK universities also accept the Diploma as a qualification for entry to an MA TESOL course.

Will the Diploma enhance my career prospects?
The Diploma can enhance a teacher's CV by improving their eligibility for more responsible posts such as Director of Studies.

Will the Diploma meet my specific needs as a teacher?
Under the revised syllabus, courses have to meet our guidelines. You should contact individual course providers for more detailed information.