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The well-known RSA
Diplomas (DTEFLA & DOTE) are no longer available. In their place,
Cambridge ESOL has introduced the DELTA (Diploma in English Language
Teaching to Adults).
This course is now
administered and run exclusively by Cambridge ESOL.
The positive aspect of
this change is that centres can now provide equal opportunities to
native and non-native speaker teacher in the international arena. Both
are eligible for this qualification which opens up job opportunities
around the world.
Some important details for candidates
Applicants should note
the following:
1.
The 'native speaker' requirement has been eliminated.
In the past, non-native speaker
teachers were not eligible for the DTEFLA (Adults) Diploma. In
the current scheme, candidates for the DELTA course can native or
non-native. At last, after many years of protesting to Cambridge that
this distinction must be abolished, they have finally come to agree.
Both are eligible for the same courses and will be awarded exactly the
same internationally acclaimed and respected Diploma.
This is great stuff, as many very very competent DOTE holders, have
sometimes felt, "Well, why can't we get the same Diploma as the native
speakers?" Well, now you can!!!
2. The non-native speaker teacher's
level of English must be very high.
Cambridge specifies that non-native speaker teachers
will have to show a level of awareness and competence of a high level.
This is entirely appropriate as the demands of the course and the
final examination require awareness and competence at the same level
of an educated native speaker. This is the reason why CELT requires
ALL candidates (native or non-native) to take an entry language
examination to ensure that the level required for successful
completion of the course is in place.
3. Candidates (native or non-native)
must be able to do academic work
This is necessary, as there are
academic assignments, essays , reports, and class research, that
Diploma candidates have to undertake during their course. They must be
able to use a library, read fast, take notes, use a library
efficiently, etc.
Candidates whose education level in terms of language, linguistics and
academic writing is found to be insufficient for successful completion
of the DELTA course, are advised to follow a
Language Awareness for Teachers of
English programme which includes a Study Skills component.
4.The DELTA is an Advanced
Course
This
assumes that candidates will have attended a basic methodology course
such as our CTEFL or
a CELTA of at least 100 hours
and will be familiar with basic techniques and principles already.
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5. Candidates for the DELTA must have enough experience of teaching adults
(classes, not one-to-one) in the last five years.
This is an important requirement although if the
candidates are not currently teaching adults, they are allowed to
borrow classes for their Practical Teaching Assignments, so it is now
possible to do the course even if you are not currently involved in
classroom teaching.
6. You can obtain a second
Diploma without having to attend the whole course.
Cambridge has suggested to centres that
once you have obtained one Diploma, then you will not have to attend a
full course in order to obtain the other one, but only parts of the
course related to the age groups in focus. So, those DOTE Diploma
holders who would like to obtain an Adult Teaching qualification at
Diploma as well, and are involved in teaching adults, are encouraged
to apply.
7. There are two examination sessions every year, one in June and one
in December
The examinations, in line with the rest of the
Cambridge Language examinations, will be offered twice (instead of
only once) a year. This is indeed good news, and will enable
candidates who start courses midyear to sit for their examinations at
intervals that are not too far apart from the end of their courses.
8. Centre Approvals shown through special Cambridge RSA Certificates
of Approval!!!
CELT has been a Recognised Centre with
Approvals to run Diploma courses for many years. For this reason,
approval to run DELTA courses alongside DOTE, was naturally granted
immediately. For the first time this year though, Cambridge RSA has
thought of supplying approved centres with official documents stating
this - we are naturally delighted to be able to display our
Certificates to enquiring teachers who may be, quite understandably,
suspicious when we say that we are a Recognised centre!!! A very good
idea indeed as there have been occasions of centres misleadingly
advertising Cambridge courses without being approved centres or having
approved tutors. Letters of approval have always been available, of
course, but a certificate is easier to spot or to ask to see, when in
doubt!
9.Non-native speaker
candidates English is not examined at the end of their course.
Instead,
ALL candidates' language ability and awareness is tested through
assessment of learner errors, identification of linguistic and other
elements in the exploitation of authentic texts, etc.
10.The DELTA may open up
opportunities for professional advancement and further academic work.
If you
have been thinking of developing your career and dealing with Business
English, getting involved in publishing or materials writing or,
simply, preparing for an MA in TEFL or TESOL, the DELTA offers
excellent grounding and preparation for such work or studies.
If you would like further
information on these Diplomas, please check
http://www.celt.edu.gr/delta.htm or send an E-mail to the
Course Supervisor at
celt@celt.edu. gr
* DELTA = Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults
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