DELTA (ELT)

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DELTA, the Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults, is a professional qualification in English language teaching awarded by Cambridge Assessment, formerly UCLES, a part of the University of Cambridge. The Diploma (or Dip) is often seen as a follow-up to the certificate known as the CELTA, once the individual has done a couple of years of teaching and has decided on a more long-term and serious commitment to the teaching of English. The Dip does not cover related non-teaching responsibilities (admininstration, training of teachers, and so on), but those who undertake these tasks often hold this qualification, or its equivalent.

The diploma is awarded upon passing a course which includes supervised teaching practice, observation of other teachers, completion of a range of written assignments, completion of an extended assignment, and a written examination. The DELTA is accredited by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority as a Diploma in Teaching ESOL at NQF level 7 on the National Qualifications Framework for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is widely recognized around the world, like the CELTA. The DELTA is also integrated into some MA programs.

The DELTA is available in many different countries throughout the world. The course can be taken part-time over a year or more, or full-time over a period of two to three months. Distance learning is also available.

The DELTA and LTCL DipTESOL are often seen as roughly equivalent qualifications.

The DELTA was introduced in 1999. It replaced the DTEFLA, the Diploma in Teaching English as a Foreign Language to Adults, a qualification which was equivalent in level but was more narrowly focused on teaching English as a Foreign Language. The DTEFLA was administered jointly by the RSA and UCLES.