My DELTA Journey

Just last week, I sat my DELTA module 1 exam, closing the final module in the DELTA diploma. I'm dedicating this post to my reflection on the DELTA. Before getting down to DELTA, some of you may know that I had been doing the CELTA and Train-the-Trainer between September 2021 and January 2022. I applied for the DELTA while I was doing the CELTA; I know, crazy, right?

For those who are familiar with the CELTA and DELTA, it may appear unattainable to complete them in about a year. Well, I did it!

How did you get accepted?

DELTA M2 and M3 candidates undergo a rigorous process to be accepted on the course that's because this course is for experienced teachers. I got to say, although I managed to complete the pre-task successfully, my tutor was not sure as it is not a common thing for CELTA graduates to start their DELTA immediately, but I'm glad that my tutor had faith in me.

How did you integrate all the modules?

I didn't choose a course that integrate all the modules: I was just lucky that the center provided all the modules and I selected the dates that I saw as suitable for me. Indeed, I consulted my tutors and got their approval and it was as follows:

M1 (Preparation course) started February 7 and finished November 28. There was a two-month break in summer.

M2 started six days after my CELTA had finished: 26 January and finished end of August, though I taught my final lesson in mid-September.

M3 (course and essay writing) started in September and finished end of November.

As you can see, two modules often overlapped and sometimes all of them overlapped. I remember preparing for my final lesson then switching to read something for M3 and finally switching to M1 to revise some theory.

The reason why I chose to get all the modules done is that I really didn't want to lose the momentum I developed when I was on the CELTA, and because of the fact that M2 is temporarily available online (until June 2023). I also wanted to dedicate my 2023 to more teaching practice rather than CPD courses, which consumed me cognitively and financially.