The DELTA
The DELTA is a diploma that specialises in Teaching English as a Foreign Language and is accredited by Cambridge Assessment.
About the DELTA
If you love life as an English language teacher, have been teaching at a range of levels for at least a year and are looking to progress in your career, the DELTA would be just right for you. The Cambridge DELTA is officially the Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.
The DELTA is a higher English language teaching qualification for experienced teachers, who either want to move into more senior teaching or directorial roles, or hone their skills as a teacher. It is also a key step in becoming a teacher trainer (e.g. a CELTA tutor). The DELTA approximates to a Master’s level in terms of content.
Who is eligible?
So, who exactly is eligible for the DELTA? The criteria for taking the DELTA are that you:
- Have some formal, certificated ELT training (e.g. a CELTA)
- Have an equivalent of 1 year of full-time English teaching experience (i.e. 1,200 hours) in the last 5 years
- Have a level of English good enough to teach at a range of levels – you should have an equivalent English level of high C1 on the CEFR.
- Have a range of teaching experience involving work in different teaching contexts
- Have experience of teaching learners at different language levels and ages.
If you match these criteria, you are eligible to take the DELTA.
You could be accepted onto a DELTA course without an existing teaching qualification (e.g. CELTA) if you are able to show that you would be likely to successfully complete a course. You could demonstrate this via successful previous examples of study.
Am I eligible to take the Cambridge DELTA?
Take our short eligibility quiz
What is the DELTA Certificate?
The qualification is for experienced EFL teachers who want to progress their careers and develop into more senior roles.
In the UK, it is a level 7 qualification (recognised by Ofqual), which is equivalent to a Masters degree.
Just like the CELTA, the DELTA is internationally recognised and is often seen as a benchmark for quality.
Why choose the DELTA?
Deepen Your Understanding and Love What You Do!
The benefits of taking a DELTA are:
- A deeper understanding of English language teaching
- Access to more senior jobs such as Heads of Departments, CELTA Tutors, CELTA Assessors, Course Creators, and TEFL Authors
- Improvement in classroom performance
- Confidence in your teaching practices
- Demonstrating a commitment to your craft
- A better salary
The qualification is ideal for EFL teachers who wish to develop their careers and deepen their teaching knowledge, so they can be experts in their fields.
The DELTA qualification is comprised of three modules: a written exam, reflective teaching practice, and a research paper. The qualification is recognised around language schools, organisations, and universities worldwide.
You can take the three different modules in any order and can gain the certificates for the three different modules. Remember however, you will only achieve the final certificate after you have successfully completed all three.
The majority of people who take the DELTA will end up successfully becoming DELTA qualified, with a ‘Pass’ grade. Those who perform particularly well, will receive a ‘Pass with Merit’ grade, while those who excel will receive the highest grade; the ‘Pass with Distinction’. Please remember, it is also possible to receive a ‘Fail’ grade for the DELTA if your work doesn’t match the minimum standard required.
There is no time limit for taking the DELTA, meaning you can take the three modules at your convenience and to suit your needs and commitments.
The 100% online DELTA modules will lead to exactly the same qualification as taking the DELTA face-to-face course. The face-to-face and online options are there for you to decide the best format for you.
Deadlines for doing the DELTA
Many people ask about the exam or submission dates for the three different DELTA modules. There are no deadlines for the DELTA Module Two activities as there are no exams or submissions, and assessment is based on your performance as a teacher throughout the course. Module One and Module Three do have important dates for you to remember. Delta Module One will be evaluated through an exam, while Module 3 will be evaluated through coursework submission.
DELTA Module One:
Exam dates 2023:
Wednesday 7th June 2022
Wednesday 6th December 2022
DELTA Module Three:
Approximate submission dates 2023:
Monday 12th June 2023
Monday 11th December 2022
Cambridge will announce results for all three modules approximately two months after the DELTA Module One test dates in June and December.
Please note, if you enter for the DELTA Module Two only in October, your results will be released approximately one month after your submission deadline.
How to apply
You can see upcoming DELTA courses via our DELTA Calendar.
If you would just like to look at the online courses you can see all upcoming online DELTA modules here.
