The DELTA Diploma – Status & Recognition
The Cambridge DELTA Diploma is a professional qualification at level 7 as regulated by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) on the Qualifications and Credit Framework and given premium product endorsement by NEAS in Australia. It is postgraduate in level and although it is not a Masters on its own, most Βritish and Commonwealth universities recognise it and will give Delta holders exemptions & credits on their MA courses related to the subject of teaching English, Linguistics or Applied Linguistics.
Career development value
After the CELTA, the Cambridge Delta is one of the most sought after and well-respected qualifications internationally. It is fast becoming a prerequisite for some of the most interesting jobs in our field all over the world. DELTA holders find themselves eligible for more interesting careers including positions as Directors of Studies, Level Coordinators and Teacher Trainers.
The three Modules
The course is organised around three modules, each of which is assessed separately. Our centre offers courses which integrate all three modules but also courses for candidates who prefer to study one module at a time. You can read the DELTA Handbook for all three Modules and the DELTA Syllabus on this page.
– Module 1 is assessed via a 3-hour written exam
– Module 2 is assessed via 5 assignments involving background essays and teaching assessments
– Module 3 is assessed via an extended course planning assignment or an innovation proposal for a school
Find out all about all DELTA course options
Course Organisation
The content of our course is delivered synchronously via Zoom. It is part-time and includes live sessions on two days week a.m. or p.m. and for 3 hours each time. The days and times vary from course to course, but usually fall on one weekday and one weekend day.
- 24 weeks of bi-weekly online interactive seminars on Zoom covering input on all three modules
- An additional 3-week Module 1 Exam Primer course for revision prior to the Module 1 exam in June or December
- Tutorial support beyond the taught part of the course to support the writing of the Module 3 assignment,
There is a great amount of overlap in the topics covered for each module, especially Modules 1 & 2. During the 24 weeks of our online course, we teach the content areas in our online classroom offering full preparation. Nearer the Module 1 exams, a special Exam Primer course for revision and practice is offered free of charge to our candidates.
Image of our online trainees blurred to protect identities
Workload
This is a part time course and the assignments and teaching assessments workload is spread over several months - in fact, from 6 months for Modules 1 & 2 with an additional 2-3 months to research and write the Module 3 assignment. Apart from attending input sessions online, you must calculate an average of an additional 10 hours a week, at times more when writing essays or lesson planning.
During the course, you are required to
- write 5 assignments each including
- an essay between 2000--2500 words
- a detailed lesson plan
- teaching a class while being observed by an internal or external assessor
- a reflection on the lesson taught submitted as part of the assignment
Teaching Assessments can be done online with:
- our own volunteer students online
- your own online students - a minimum of 5 students is required
- your own students in your own offline classroom
- our own students in Athens if you choose the intensive course or come after the online course just for the teaching assessments
This is a part time course and quite flexible in terms of online attendance, yet it does require quite a lot of background reading, especially while writing assignments (which happens about once a month during the online attendance)
Extra study is required prior to the Module 1 written exam which is offered twice a year, on the first Wednesday of June and December.
However, the part time nature of this course allows for reflection and in depth processing of the course content in ways that an intensive 8-week course cannot satisfy in the same way.
Taught & assessed fully online
This is great news for people who
- cannot get away for the 8 weeks of an intensive course
- prefer a part time course which allows them to work and study
- prefer a synchronous course in which they can have direct contact with tutors in a live class via video and audio (on Zoom).
- Understand that the term “distance” does not mean “without human contact” as on other courses.
Our online live classroom is fully interactive with audio and video available for every single trainee, not just for the tutor. In our live classroom, you can talk, chat and interact, do group work and collaborative activities just as if you were in our physical classroom.
To participate you need a reasonably fast connection and a laptop or desktop with a web camera. You also need a noise-cancelling headset with a microphone. Our online/virtual classroom allows participants audio, video, text chat and screen sharing (standard tools in all live classrooms) as well as other great functionalities, such as dividing students into separate rooms in order to do group work.
Candidates on this fully online course option may need a certain level of comfort with teaching and learning online - to help those who are less experienced in this area, we offer them an add-on completely free course on Teaching Languages Online
There is variety and flexibility in the assessment of teaching on the DELTA - see below - but a level of comfort with technology is now a requirement. You can be assessed in one of the following three ways:
- with your own face-to-face class and livestream it via Zoom or other similar service. Your tutor or the external assessor will be observing the video livestream of your lesson
- with your own a class online on Zoom or a platform you use at your school or your private practice.
- with the class of adults specially provided by CELT. This is a class of upper intermediate students from a variety of countries who regularly attend our online classes.
All internal assessed observations are conducted by CELT tutors except, of course, for the final one which will be observed by a Cambridge approved external assessor.
Important note: You do not need a local tutor for Module 2 teaching assessments
Course Organisation
Online for 24 weeks
The online course is a part-time one and covers input for Modules 1, 2 and 3.
The course Input is taught via webinars in our online classroom.
Every week, two 90-minute sessions are delivered over one or two days. Times vary from course to course depending on participants’ time zones.
Assessment of each Module
Module 1
There are two exam sessions each year on the first Wednesday of June and December.
Module 2
There are three exam sessions for Module 2 in any one calendar year: in June, October and December.
Module 3
There are two submission dates each year in June and December. Writing the Module 3 assignment is usually supported by group or individual tutorials after the completion of the first two modules.
Course Organisation & Timetable
This is a full time course completed over 8 weeks covering all input for Modules 1 & 2 and introductions to a variety of Specialism topics for Module 3. It's a highly intensive course and all Module 2 assignments must be written during these 8 weeks. Module 3 assignments are expected to be written after the end of the taught course.
Sessions are Monday to Friday 09:00-17:00. Here is what a typical day on the course is like (subject to change depending on number of trainees):
09:00-10:30 Input
10:30-11:00 Coffee Break
11:00-12:30 Input
12:30-13:30 Observations or Study Period
13:30-14:00 Lunch Break
14:00-15:00 Input or Teaching
15:00-15:30 Coffee break
15:30-17:00 Input
Workload
The course is intensive and a great option for anyone who aspires to complete the course as soon as possible, but it involves a lot of hard work during and after session times. This is a full immersion course for candidates with a strong background in language, teaching methods and rich and varied teaching experience. So apart from the 40 hours a week on site, candidates will be fully involved in studying writing essay assignments, planning lessons and materials. There are 4 teaching assessments to be completed during the course and one right after its end by way of external assessment. All assignments include
- writing background essays
- writing detailed lesson plans
- teaching and observing other course mates teach assessed and unassessed lessons
- writing their reflections after teaching
Teaching assessments are done at CELT with our own class of volunteer adult learners.
N.B. It is possible to request teaching assessments with an online class either during or after the end of the taught course.
More details can be read in the DELTA handbook.
Topics & Content
- Theoretical perspectives on language acquisition and language teaching
- Historical and current theories of first and second language acquisition
- How these theories influence teaching methodologies. - Different teaching approaches and methodologies, including current developments
- Teaching methodologies, both mainstream and experimental
- The effectiveness of these methodologies in different learning environments. - Language systems and learners’ linguistic problems
- Features of language systems (e.g. meaning, form, pronunciation and use)
- Teaching methodology choices in language systems - Language skills and learners’ problems
- Features of language skills (e.g. the subskills and strategies needed by learners)
- Teaching methodology choices in language skills. - Knowledge of resources, materials and reference sources for language learning
- The practical uses of a range of resources in a range of teaching contexts. - Key assessment concepts and terminology
How to apply key assessment principles, such as validity and reliability, to classroom-based assessment
Course Offerings
- A 24-week module 1 standalone course (or as part of our integrated programme). This course covers the full content of the syllabus.
- A 4-week Module 1 Exam Primer course which we offer closer to the exam. This course focuses only on exam practice only and does not cover the main content of the 24-week course but is useful for candidates studying on their own.
Where the course is delivered
The course is delivered fully online and input sessions take place in our state-of-the-art online live classroom where you can interact live with your tutor and fellow participants who may be in the same country as you or halfway across the world!!! To participate in the webinars, you will need a fast connection, a headset and a webcam. A good headset is very important for online learning as input cannot be processed if the sound quality is poor and you are struggling to follow conversations! You will also have access to other platforms for resources and to communicate with assignment drafts, receive feedback and upload your work. To see more about what the online platforms we use can do and what they are intended for, please click on this link to watch a short video from an online presentation
How you will be assessed
The Module One Written Exam consists of two 90-minute papers, with a 30-minute break in between (3 hours 30 minutes in total). The written exam can be taken in Athens at our centre. Candidates who live in other countries can take the exam at the nearest Cambridge Authorised Examination centre.
Paper | Marks (% of total) | Tasks |
| 1 | 50% | Five tasks Labelling, short-answer and longer written responses |
| 2 | 50% | Three tasks Longer written responses |
Where you will be assessed
CELT Athens administers the Module 1 examination for all our internal candidates who wish to take it in Athens. In that case, we take care of all the paperwork, entries. payment of exam fees and invigilation of the exam. We do not charge our candidates for this service but we may charge a small administration fee to anyone wishing to take their written exam at CELT as an external candidate.
Our international candidates take the exam in their own county.
You can sit for the written examination anywhere near your location where CELTA or Delta courses are offered – but you will be an external candidate in which case you will have to approach that institution on your own and make your own arrangements with them. Our tutors will help you select and notify host centres in advance of an exam date.
Extending Practice & ELT Specialism
Module 3 is part of the overall Delta Modular Diploma and allows candidates to do some independent research into areas of special interest to them, e.g. Business English, Young Learners, Exam Classes and more. This module focuses on needs analysis, syllabus design, course planning and assessment. You will carry out an independent investigation, leading to the design of a short - 20-25 hours - syllabus for a specific group of learners you are currently teaching.
This course plan must be related to one of the following specialisms:
List of specialisms for Option 1
Here is a list of the specialisms Cambridgeincludes in the Module 3 Handbook pages.
- Business English (BE)
- Teaching young learners/young adults (specified age group required with 5-year range e.g. 8–13, 14–9) (YL)
- English for Special Purposes (ESP)
- English for Academic Purposes (EAP)
- Teaching examination classes (EX)
- Teaching one-to-one (1to1)
- ESOL learners with literacy needs (ESOL)
- CLIL/Embedded ESOL (teaching English through subject/work-based learning) (CLIL)
- Teaching monolingual classes (MON)
- Teaching multilingual classes (MUL)
- Teaching in an English-speaking environment (ESE)
- Teaching in a non-English-speaking environment. (NESE)
- Teaching learners online, through distance/blended learning (DL)
- Teaching English to learners with special requirements e.g. visual/hearing impairment, dyslexia, ASD (SR)
- Language development for teachers (LDT)
- Language Support (e.g. EAL on mainstream teaching programmes; specialist skills support such as supporting writing needs) (LS)
CELT Athens tutors are able to support most of the Option 1 specialisms and deliver input related to them during online or face-to-face courses or support through individual or group tutorials.
If you are interested in applying only for this module, you should contact us with a description of your area of interest and we will immediately let you know if we support the particular specialism.
Important note:
Specialisms are selected on the basis of a class which is available to the candidate and not on the basis of personal interest in a particular topic. For example, if you are interested in the Young Learners Specialism but you are currently teaching Academic English, your proposal will not be accepted without young learners whose level and needs you are required to research and describe in your assignment.
Trainees who take this course option will receive input on their chosen specialism as well as
- Needs Analysis
- Syllabus Design
- Course Planning
- Testing and Evaluation
- Guidance on writing Module 3 assignment
They are also given extra tutorial support and feedback on drafts of their Module 3 assignment.
Candidates for this specialism are given access to the rich CELT Athens resources where they will be able to find some related reading but they should also be prepared to purchase some books themselves, especially if they are studying for this course by distance and do not have access to the CELT Athens library.
Module 3 is an individual research assignment and, often, candidates select options suited to their individual teaching contexts, so attending a group course is not possible for all specialisms. In that case, they follow an individual course and attend individual tutorials with their personal tutor.
In that case, support for Module 3 is done by individual inputs and tutorials rather than by attending a group course.
Assessment & Certification
Candidates who pass Module 3 Assignment gain a Cambridge Delta Module 3 Certificate which is part of the overall Cambridge Delta Diploma. Assignments are supported by the centre but marked at Cambridge.
ELT Management
Management Skills are indispensable in language teaching and learning and the effectiveness of these skills directly impacts the quality of language education, the soundness of your language programme and the satisfaction level of both students and faculty in the language classroom.
Course Content & Organisation
The course is self-paced and is taught via Moodle, a learning management system familiar to many candidates and contains units on all the sub- specialisms below as well as units related to conducting an investigation in their LTO (Language Teaching Operation) in order to obtain data for their assignment, which is essentially an innovation & change assignment for that LTO.
- Academic Management
- Human Resources Management (HRM)
- Customer Service
- Marketing
N.B. During the self-paced course, the course leader invites candidates to individual or group tutorials on Zoom to keep in touch, check progress, give feedback on drafts and connect with other colleagues following the programme.
The content of the course is expected to be completed over 8-10 weeks maximum after which candidates begin their assignment writing.
How the course will benefit you
The purpose of this 30-hour programme is to provide educational management skills training for acting or prospective managers of foreign language institutions, senior teachers who are, or will soon be, in positions of responsibility. Here’s what this course will do for you:
Improve performance
Enhance professional reputation
Dramatically boost career prospects
Introduce skills needed by all managers
This is a great course which opens a good number of career opportunities to Delta holders interested in developing their career as administrators, or who run their own Language Teaching Operation already. It’s also a course you can do even before you have done the other two Delta Modules as its content is independent of the main Module 1 & 2 syllabuses.
A caution – to attend the course you must be in a position to access data from a Language Teaching Operation related to your focus area.
The ELT Management course consists of an introductory module and eight content modules. You can read more about the course topic areas by downloading the course details here. Follow the links below if you the interested in reading the detailed syllabus as specified by Cambridge ESOL and the handbook for tutors and candidates
Module 3 assignment Support
Assignments for Module 3 are 4,500 words in length and must be submitted to the centre in their final draft form before the end of May or November each year in electronic form. All details about the assignment can be found in the handbooks linked in the previous paragraph.
The extended assignment can focus on one of the following specialisms listed below:
- Academic Management
- Human Resources Management (HRM)
- Customer Service
- Marketing
Requirements – Who can take this course
A course specifically addressed to acting or prospective managers who would like to learn more about running a Language Teaching Operation and at the same time acquire a prestigious Cambridge Delta Certificate on this topic.
To attend the course you must be in a position to access data from a Language Teaching Operation related to your focus area and you must be have a level of education that would allow you to follow the related readings and produce an academic assignment.
Follow the course as an independent candidate or as part of your Delta Diploma
No special equipment is necessary to follow the course on Moodle and candidates do not need to download any programmes. They are required to participate in webinars their tutor organises and for this a fast internet connection and a headset are needed – a webcam is not obligatory but desirable as it enhances contact amongst participants and course tutor.
Candidates for this specialism will be given access to the CELT Athens DELTA wiki where they will be able to find some related reading but they should also be prepared to purchase some books themselves, especially if they do not have access to the CELT Athens library.
Who Can Apply
If you have some recent and varied classroom teaching experience, related degrees and an initial training qualification such as the Cambridge CELTA, you are welcome to apply.
Each application is reviewed on its own merit, so if you think you are eligible because of experience and continuous professional development but have no formal qualifications, you may still be accepted on the course.
The selection process is rigorous and aims to ensure your potential for success. A language analysis and teaching methods pre-course assessment is used as part of the selection process. For more details, please send us an email and book an appointment with the Course Tutor.
How to Apply
- Download the DELTA Application form and save it in your hard driveComplete it offline in your own time and email it to info@celt.edu.gr
- Send in a recent lesson plan
- Arrange a date and time when you can take your language & methodology screening exam
- Attend a personal interview with the course director who will let you know if you are accepted immediately after your interview.
If offered a place on the course, you will be invited to pay in your deposit, join our learning platforms to begin your study and preparation for the course.
Each application is reviewed on its own merit, so if you think you are eligible because of experience and continuous professional development but have no formal qualifications, you may still be accepted on the course.
The selection process is rigorous and aims to ensure your potential for success. A language analysis and teaching methods pre-course assessment is used as part of the selection process. For more details, please complete the email form below to book an appointment with the Course Tutor.
DELTA All Modules (1,2,3) Integrated 24-week online course
Tuition €2500
24-week fully online or mixed/blended mode
– October 03 2023 – March 26 2024
- January 08 - June 21 2024
- June 10 - November 16 2024
8-week intensive in person course in Athens (all modules or just Module 2)
– October 02 – November 21 2023
- July 06 - August 31 2024
DELTA Module 1 only 20-week online course
Tuition €600
– October 03 2023 – March 09 2024
- January 08 - June 07 2024
- June 10 - November 16 2024
SPECIAL OFFER! Module 1 only 16-week online course
Tuition €450
- December 04 2023 - March 23 2024
DELTA Module 2 only - 20 week online or 8-week course in Athens
Tuition €1600
– October 03 2023 – March 26 2024
- January 08 - June 21 2024
- June 10 - November 02 2024
DELTA Module 3 - 10-week online course for Options 1 or 2
Tuition €600
– October – December 2023
- March - June 2024
- September - October 2024
Cambridge assessment fees not included above
– Module 1 €140 (payable to CELT or your local centre if taking the written exam in another country)
– Module 2 €160
– Module 3 €100
Do your DELTA with us!
CELT Athens is an Authorised Cambridge Teaching Awards Centre for the Cambridge DELTA and has been running Diploma level courses since 1989. We guarantee excellence in:
- Quality of instruction with experienced & dedicated tutors – check here.
- Our rich and varied ELT library offline and online
- Fantastic teaching facilities in the centre of Athens & unparalleled online support
- A strong alumni community; an international network of peers – a ready-made PLN!
- Our connected status as centre with a strong presence in all social media and online ELT communities
- Job support during and after your course.
- A variety of course options and start dates
You can read some recent trainee reviews here.
Send us an email from this page
Connect with us
CELT Athens, 3 G.Gennadiou Street, 106 78 Athens, Greece
Tel +30 210 3301202| +30 6974965437 E-mail: info@celt.edu.gr