CELTA/DELTA Information

[carlita]

Is anyone familiar with DELTA, the diploma in English teaching, through the British Council/International House?  I am thinking of taking module one and three, while here in Seoul.  I am looking at it as a long term investment, so that I can teach privately or whatever other opportunities it might bring.  I have a TEFL and a teaching credential.  I need access to a language teaching library for some of the required reading.  Has anybody any thoughts on the DELTA and where I could access a library in Seoul? I imagine there must be one here?

[duchessrachel]

Yes, I'm pretty sure you have to have your CELTA before you can get a DELTA. I got my CELTA last year. It was TOUGH, but very worth it. My teaching has definitely improved. I imagine DELTA would be even harder and more expensive.

[carlita]

I have a TEFL certificate and so that would suffice according to my research - thanks for that though....any other comments would be much appreciated.  It is not cheap for sure, but I think in the long run, it would be worth it, and I figure I have the time to study also!!!

[axel pose]

If you want to take the DELTA then be aware how intensive and stressful it is.  Yes, it's worth it; but it's expensive and difficult. 
I've just finished my Pre-DELTA with International house an will be doing the DELTA with them next year in Rome or Seville. The reading list is huge and diverse and I had major problems accessing the material needed for the Pre-DELTA and I had to spend a lot of money getting books shipped out. 

Lastly, everyone I know and have spoken to has recommended to me that before doing my DELTA to teach in as many different countries as possible and cover as many different aspects as possible.  Korea is my third country and I still feel I need another year before I undertake the DELTA. 

I can send you the pre-reading list from International House if you want.  I've got a lot of respect for anyone doing or considering doing this course because it's a heavyweight certificate that is held in very high regard, especially in Europe and the Middle East. 

[Freeto]

Would you mind posting more details about DELTA in Seoul, such as dates, cost etc.? I'm interested in it as well to build on what I learned from CELTA. You may already know that you can complete the non-practical parts of DELTA by distance courses.

[carlita]

thank you so much for your insight 'axel pose' - it is very much appreciated and helpful.  Yes, I would love to see a pre-reading list - that would be great.  I would imagine it would be very costly having books shipped, and that is why I was wondering if there was an English language teaching library in Seoul, that I could possibly go to.  'Freto' - yes, you can complete much of it online, which I would like to do.  Check out http://www.thedistancedelta.com/   for more info.  The British Council in Seoul only deal with module one, that is you can take the exam at their center, either in December or June. 

[axel pose]

Here's the reading list.  Pay particular attention to the Batstone, Ellis, Willis and Thornbury books. 

Appendix 1
Most sessions on the course have a bibliography or further suggested reading specific to that session.  Below is an overview of books you may find useful during this and, should you be heading in this direction, Diploma level courses.
Post-CELTA revision
•   Learning Teaching, Jim Scrivener, Macmillan Heinemann, 2005
•   The Practice of English Language Teaching, Jeremy Harmer, Longman, 1983
Methodology and Approaches
•   Uncovering Grammar, S. Thornbury, Macmillan Heinemann, 2001
•   Language Teaching Methodology, D. Nunan, Prentice Hall, 1991
•   Techniques and Principles in Language Teaching, D. Larsen-Freeman, OUP, 2000
•   A Framework for Task-Based Learning, J. Willis, Longman, 1996
•   The Lexical Approach, M. Lewis, LTP, 1993
•   Implementing the Lexical Approach, M. Lewis, LTP, 1997
•   Foreign and Second Language Learning, W. Littlewood, CUP, 1984
•   The Language Teaching Matrix, J. Richards, CUP, 1990
•   How Languages are Learned, P. Lightbown and N. Spada, OUP, 1999
•   Inside Teaching, T. Bowen and J. Marks, Heinemann, 1994
•   Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching, J. Richards and T. Rogers, CUP, 1983
Grammar
•   About Language, S. Thornbury, CUP, 1997
•   Grammar for English Language Teachers, M. Parrott, CUP, 2000
•   Grammar, R. Batstone, OUP, 1994
•   The English Verb, Michael Lewis, LTP, 1986
•   Practical English Usage, M. Swan, OUP, 1995
•   How English Works, M. Swan and C. Water, OUP, 1997
•   How to Teach Grammar, S. Thornbury, Longman, 1999
Lexis
•   Teaching Collocation, M. Lewis (ed), LTP, 2000
•   How to Teach Vocabulary, S. Thornbury, Longman, 2002
•   Working with Words, R. Gairns and S. Redman, CUP, 1986
Phonology
•   English Phonetics and Phonology, P. Roach, CUP, 1983
•   Teaching English Pronunciation, Joanne Kenworthy, Longman 1987
•   Sound Foundations, A. Underhill, Heinemann, 1994
Discourse
•   Beyond the Sentence, S. Thornbury, Macmillan, 2005
•   Discourse Analysis for Language Teachers, M. McCarthy, CUP, 1993
Listening
•   Listening, A. Anderson and T. Lynch, OUP, 1988
•   Listening, G. White, OUP, 1998
Reading
•   Teaching Reading Skills in a Foreign Language, C. Nuttall, Heinemann, 1996
•   Developing Reading Skills, F. Grellet, CUP, 1981
Speaking
•   Speaking, M. Bygate, 1987, OUP
•   Teaching the Spoken Language, G. Brown and G. Yule, CUP, 1983
Writing
•   Writing, T. Hedge, OUP, 1988
•   Process Writing, R. White and V. Arndt, Longman, 1991
Testing
•   Testing for Language Teachers, A. Hughes, CUP, 1989
Course Design
•   Syllabus Design, D. Nunan, OUP, 1988
•   Teachers as Course Developers, K. Graves (ed), CUP, 1996

[carlita]

thanks so much for this reading list.  It is certainly a very long one!  Were you directed to read certain parts of each book, surely not all of them?

[axel pose]

Definitely look at anything by Ellis, Thornbury, Roach, Nunan, Lewis, Harmer or Willis.  Try looking at anything that contains research on TBT and Guided discovery.  The British Council also has a wealth of info on their website. 

[Freeto]

Hey Axel,

How long is the IH DELTA course, and how much? Does it cover all modules? I've done CELTA so I have a vague idea how intense DELTA could be. If I were to do it I'd rather spread it out by doing parts by distance. I'm doing my MA right now so I'm not sure if my pocketbook can handle another big wallop 

[axel pose]

I don't know how long the online modules take.  The residential course for International House is 3 months long and costs around 2500-3000 euros depending on where you take it.  They usually have accommodation which is extra as well. 

I think the Online modules would cost around 700 -1000 pounds each.  It's Module 2 which involves the practical aspect and that can be done at any DELTA training centre. 

[axel pose]

Here's the info for IH London or you could visit www.ihworld.com

http://www.ihlondon.com/delta-24/

[bern]

No offense but TEFL and DELTA are worlds apart. TEFL is a great starting point but the courses vary in quality and content.  CELTA teaches you a very specific and effective style of teaching and planning lessons, as a continuation of this the DELTA will expect you to be delivering lessons and submitting plans in that specific style and to that standard from the moment you start.

I recommend doing your CELTA first, it's stressful but worth every penny. Then spend 2 years perfecting your CELTA teaching and then think about DELTA.

Hope this helps.

[vitamin-d]

Hey all,

I'll be taking a CELTA course in Ecuador this summer and was wondering: do you have any advice?
Is it really as difficult as it's made out to be?

[Oboe]

Hey Vitamin,

I did a CELTA this summer in London. Its not hard as such, but it is a lot of work, especially the first week or so. But as long as you do the work its pretty hard to fail as far as i can tell.

[JJ72]

Hi,

This is a really dumb question, so please excuse me... but, i have been thinking of doing the CELTA and was wondering how useful it is... as in, is it worth it, what does it give you? Any advice would be much appreciated

Thanks

[vitamin-d]

Thanks Oboe - would you recommend any books before taking the course?

@MissB, as far as I know it really depends on how you use it.

I'm taking the course not because it's immediately necessary to further my career, but because I'm hoping it will make me a better teacher of adults. However, I do know that University language departments in England will not even browse you CV if it is devoid of a CELTA, Trinity, or something equally similar.
Also, it will highly improve your chances of finding a job in Europe and South America, and prepare you for an MA TESL or the further diploma, DELTA.

However, I'm speaking from a lack of experience, so if I'm wrong do correct me.

[JJ72]

Thank you so much... i have heard it was really useful. I have to decide whether to take a PGCE place or do a CELTA first, so it isn't something i want to take without thinking it through.

Are you taking yours here in Korea? I heard that Thailand is cheaper to take CELTA in... not sure about this though. Thank you for your advice

[RufusW]

I'll be taking a CELTA in SEAsia.  I thought it was the cheapest at $1500 in Vietnam.  vitamin, how much are you going to pay?  Maybe cost of living would be lower in Ecuador.

I know it's not terribly useful in Korea, but if you want to teach in Europe or possibly in Universities elsewhere then it should be very important. 

Oboe, if you could give us some more information about your experiences I'd be really grateful.

[vitamin-d]

First hand experiences would definitely be most useful: what to do and what not to do.
I've heard it's best to pander a little to the trainers - would you agree?

The CELTA in Ecuador is a little more expensive, but I'll be in the area anyway.
The course is 5 weeks, rather than 4; is situated on a private beach/eco resort, and the $2250 cost covers the course plus five weeks of accommodation (in private cabañas ) and all food.