What is DELTA?

DELTA is Cambridge ESOL's Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults. It is a part-time, in-service course run by International House, Johannesburg under the direction of The University of Cambridge ESOL division (formally UCLES - University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate). The DELTA has been accredited by the UK Qualifications and Curriculum Authority QCA at level 5 on the National Qualification Framework.

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What does the course cover?

The course is designed to meet the University of Cambridge DELTA syllabus requirements: to enhance the participants' knowledge and understanding of

the English language and its description;
the practice and principles of teaching and learning English in relation to a wide range of adult learners and their learning contexts;
the nature, role and use of resources and materials;
the process of teaching/learning and how it can be managed;
the procedures for the formal and informal assessment of students, the evaluation of courses and programs of work, and the investigation of personal effectiveness as a teacher in the classroom. In addition, the course presents opportunities for the participants to further their professional development as teachers, coordinators of other teachers and program administrators, and to improve their skills as teachers and ELT professionals by helping them to apply this understanding to a wide range of teaching and learning contexts.

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How are candidates assessed?

One of the essential elements of the course is the continuous structured input which is given to support the participants as they work their way through the assignments required. This input aims to help the participants develop their practical teaching skills as well as their underlying theory, and it is in the form of the following:

structured input sessions given by the teacher trainers
reading and research
self-observation; observing other teachers; reflection
feedback on lesson planning and teaching from others, e.g. Teaching Practice tutors
feedback on assignments from tutors (and other participants' peer feedback)

The input sessions take place EACH day for a total of THREE hours.

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DELTA Course Components

The course has three components:

Component 1: coursework (internally and externally assessed)
The assessed coursework comprises seven assignments, which integrate both theory and practice.

Assignments 1 - 4 Language Systems and Language Skills Assignments. There are four assignments of this type. Two of these assignments focus on separate aspects of language systems and two on separate aspects of language skills. Each assignment must include both Parts I and II:

Part I - background; 2,000-2,500 words, based on the teacher's research
Part II - planning, teaching an observed lesson and post-lesson evaluation

Three of these assignments are internally assessed and externally moderated. One of these assignments is externally assessed.
Assignments 5 - 7 These three assignments explore the relationship between practice and underlying principle in specific areas:

resources and materials including an assessed observed lesson
experimental practice; a writing assignment of 2,500-3,000 including an unassessed observed lesson
course planning; a written assignment of 2,000-2,500 words.

All these three assignments are internally assessed and externally moderated.
Non-assessed Coursework This also involves carrying out peer observations and writing up a reflection on these.

Component 2: an extended assignment (externally assessed)
The extended assignment is a case study of a learner and is externally marked.
Component 3: a written examination (externally assessed)
The exam is 3 hours, 30 minutes long and takes place in June or December

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Course Length

The duration of the DELTA course 9 WEEKS

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Course Dates

July /August

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How to apply?

Contact IH Johannesburg to inform us of your intention to apply. The centre can then furnish you with information on the course and give you tips on how to prepare for the DELTA.

[ Download DELTA application form] Submit your application along with two lesson plans.

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