Many people working towards the Cambridge Delta can find it quite stressful, particularly the demands on your time as you try to fit it in around your job and your life. This course is designed to be a less stressful approach to Module One, the exam, or Module Three, the extended assignment.
Jump directly to the relevant section of this post:
- What is Delta?
- Why take Sandy’s Delta Module One or Module Three course?
- What participants say about my Delta courses
- Sandy’s Delta Module One course
- Sandy’s Module Three course
- Sounds good! How do I sign up?
- Mailing list (if you’re interested in future courses, but not ready to join one yet)
What is Delta?
The Cambridge Delta is an advanced practical teaching qualification designed for people who:
- have a minimum of 1 year of teaching experience, covering a range of levels and contexts – the more levels and contexts you have worked in, the more experience you can draw on during the course, so it may be better to wait until you have at least 2 or 3 years’ worth;
- have a minimum English level of high C1 or above;
- would like to develop their teaching practice to a higher level, and learn more about the theory behind English language teaching;
- would like to progress into more senior roles with confidence, such as management or teacher training positions.
Ideally you will already have completed a 120-hour course with observed teaching practice, such as CELTA or CertTESOL. However, this is not a requirement. If you can prove that you have received regular in-service training and observation, and have engaged in regular continuous professional development throughout your career, you may still be able to complete the course.
There are three Delta modules:
- Module One: Understanding Language, Methodology and Resources for Teaching
This is theory-based. You prove your knowledge by taking two 90-minute written exams in one sitting, with a 30-minute break in between. You can study for this module independently, through a course, or with tutor support. My Module 1 course will help you to learn this theory and prepare for these exams. - Module Two: Developing Professional Practice
This is classroom-based and highly practical. You teach four observed lessons, and in preparation for each of them you need to write a detailed lesson plan and a background essay. You also complete ongoing reflective assignments as part of your portfolio of coursebook. You must have Cambridge-approved tutors for this module and study via an approved centre. Find a teaching centre. - Module Three: (1) Extending Practice and ELT Specialism OR (2) English Language Teaching Management
You write an extended assignment detailed (1) a course programme or (2) a change proposal based on a specific context you have detailed in the assignment. You can complete this module independently or with tutor support. I offer both of these options. My Module 3 courses will take you through the process step by step, teach you the relevant concepts, and give you feedback on two drafts: one draft of each part, and one complete final draft.
The modules can be taken in any order and at any time.
Find out more about the modules and ways to take the Delta on the Cambridge website.
Why take Sandy’s Delta Module One or Module Three course?
Most Delta Module One or Module Three part-time courses are 10-12 weeks, with a few lasting for 20 weeks. However, by completing an extensive course over a full academic year, you can take your time with background reading, and consider how the theory which you are learning applies to your teaching. You have time to process information in more depth and therefore retain it for longer. While it might not be as relaxed as the hammock shows, most participants say it’s a lot less stressful than a traditional short course, or trying to study by yourself.
You work with the same small group of teachers in live sessions throughout the full course, allowing you to build up strong professional relationships and learn from each other. Some sessions may be taught by other tutors when I’m not available – I will always notify you of these in advance. Sessions are recorded if a group member cannot attend.
I cannot guarantee that you will pass the module (nobody can!), but I will do my best to make sure that you are fully ready for it with this course.
What participants say about my Delta courses
Read this blogpost from Geraldine about her experience of the TYT DELTA Module 1 course – she got a Distinction in the exam 🙂
Click to see feedback from many different participants. Scroll left to see the most recent ones!
Module 1
Module 3
Sandy’s Delta Module One course
Course format
- 90-minute live group sessions on Zoom, once a week for 30 weeks. You can attend from anywhere in the world, providing you have a reliable internet connection, a microphone and (preferably) a webcam. Sessions will work better if you are on a computer.
- Approximately 90 minutes of homework/preparatory work accompanying each session: these tasks will be directly related to your current teaching context and how the theory behind Delta Module One connects to your own teaching, and will also draw on your previous experience.
- Your own optional reading/research – the more of this you do, the more prepared you will be when you go into the exam! The exact amount of study time you need will depend on your background knowledge and prior experience.
- Two complete mock exams to be completed in your own time, one half-way through the course, and one a month before the end of the course, with feedback from me on your performance, and personalised tips for how to improve. You will also be able to complete additional mock exams, mark them yourself and ask me questions.
Dates
All times are UK time (GMT / BST). Note that these times may change in your time zone throughout the course.
Module One – exam (25/27 September 2024 – 28/30 May 2025)
For exam on Wednesday 4 June 2025
- Group 1: 09:00-10:30, Wednesdays
- Group 2: 15:00-16:30, Wednesdays
- Group 3: 10:45-12:15, Fridays
Module One – exam (March – November 2025) – exact dates TBC
For exam on Wednesday 3 December 2025
- Group 1: 09:00-10:30, Fridays
- Group 2: 15:00-16:30, Fridays
Course dates include breaks for UK national holidays and the IATEFL conference
Group sizes
Each group needs a minimum of 4 participants to be opened. There will be a maximum of 8 participants in any group.
You may be able to join a group up to 6 sessions after the start date if there are still spaces available.
Depending on availability, I may be able to arrange closed groups with alternative days/times if there are at least 4 participants in the group.
Course materials
Materials for individual sessions and two full mock exams will be included during the course, but note that you will need to buy some extra books to make the most of the course. The two books you must have during the course are:
- About Language by Scott Thornbury [2nd edition Amazon affiliate link]
An in-depth Delta-level look at how the English language works, full of tasks you can complete to improve your language awareness – this will be required, as some of the homework tasks will be taken from it. - The New A-Z of ELT by Scott Thornbury [Amazon affiliate link]
A dictionary of key terms and concepts, an invaluable Delta-level reference.
The cost of these books is not included in the course.
I will offer other personalised recommendations based on your knowledge, experience and interests.
Previous results
So far Delta Module 1 candidates who’ve worked with me have received the following results:
- Fail: 1
- Pass: 13
- Merit: 1
- Distinction: 8
Sandy’s Module Three course
I offer both Option 1: Extending Practice and ELT Specialism (June and December submission dates) and Option 2: English Language Teaching Management (June submission date ONLY). See the Cambridge website for the difference.
Course format
- Twenty 90-minute live group sessions on Zoom, running periodically throughout the 36-week course. These will introduce you to each part of the assignment and cover some key principles you need to be aware of. You can attend from anywhere in the world, providing you have a reliable internet connection, a microphone and (preferably) a webcam. Sessions will work better if you are on a computer.
- Dedicated time to write each part of your Module Three assignment: specific dates will be given to you to keep you on track with producing your assignment.
- Feedback on your assignment: as per Cambridge specifications, you will get feedback on one draft of each part of the assignment, as well as on one full draft. This will total around 8 hours of feedback from me.
- Your own reading/research – the more of this you do, the more thorough your assignment will be!
Dates
All times are UK time (GMT / BST). Note that times may change in your time zone throughout the course.
Module Three – assignment, ELT Specialism (24/25 September 2024 – 27/28 May 2025) – exact dates TBC
- Group 1: 09:00-10:30, Tuesdays
- Group 2: 13:15-14:45, Wednesdays
Module Three – assignment, ELT Management (24 September 2024 – 27 May 2025)
- 15:30-17:00, Tuesdays
Module Three – assignment, ELT Specialism (March – November 2025) – exact dates TBC
- 13:15-14:45, Fridays
Please note that course dates include breaks for UK national holidays and the IATEFL conference.
Group size
Each Module Three group will have a maximum of 8 participants.
Course materials
Materials for individual sessions will be included in the course, but note that you will need to buy some extra books to make the most of the course. The exact books you need will depend on the specialism you choose. You will be given a recommended reading list once you have chosen your specialism after session two of the course. You can find a list of possible specialisms on page 3 of this Cambridge summary.
Previous results
So far Delta Module 3 candidates who’ve worked with me have received the following results:
- Merit: 1
- Referral: 1 (Merit on resubmission in the next sitting)
June 2024 submissions (results due in August): 6 candidates for ELT Specialism, 2 for ELT Management
Sounds good! How do I sign up?
Course fees (until October 2025)
The fees are the same for each of the modules.
- £560 = Early bird (sign up AND pay minimum 21 days before the course start date)
- £600 = Full price
Discounts
These can be combined.
- £50 – if you have previously completed a Take Your Time Delta course with me.
- £20 each – if two people sign up together.
- £30 each – if three people sign up together.
Additional fees for paying in instalments
2 instalments
- Instalment 1: 50% of course fee + £20 fee, payable before the course
- Instalment 2: 50% of course fee, payable before session 16 (Module 1) / session 11 (Module 3)
Monthly instalments
- Instalment 1, payable before the course:
Early bird: £64 + £25 fee
Full price: £72 + £25 fee, payable before the course - Later instalments:
Early bird: £62
Full price: £66
Additional one-off fees for specific payment methods
- PayPal: £25
- Credit/Debit card: £15
I must receive your (first) payment before you will be able to join the course. If you’re paying in instalments, I must receive the payment by the date stated on the invoice for you to be able to attend the following session.
You can pay via Wise (preferred), Revolut, PayPal, by credit or debit card, international bank transfer, or UK bank transfer. Please check any fees first – you are responsible for these. I will send exact details regarding how to pay once you have been accepted onto the course.
When checking whether you can afford the course, note the information below about exam fees / submission fees, and the information above about additional materials you may need, which are not included in the course fees.
Taking the Module One exam / Submitting your Module Three assignment
My course fees do NOT include the price of the Module One exam or the price of submitting your Module Three assignment to a Cambridge centre.
You can find a full list of centres on the Cambridge website. You need to arrange the exam / submission directly with the exam centre, and you will pay them the exam / submission fee. Depending on availability at your chosen exam centre, you can take the exam on the first Wednesday of June or the first Wednesday of December each year. December sittings are sometimes harder to organise as there is less demand, so you may need to consider alternative locations. Module Three submission dates are the Monday after the Module One exam in June and December.
Cancellation and refund policy
Your place on the course is provisional until I have received your (first) payment.
- If a participant cancels in writing 21 days before the start of the course, they will be refunded the full amount, less administrative costs of £50.
- If a participant cancels in writing less than 21 days but more than 7 days before the start of the course, they will be refunded 50% of the full amount.
- If a participant wishes to cancel their course less than 7 days before the start of the course or during the course they are not eligible for a refund; however, in certain exceptional circumstances (grievance, medical conditions) they can defer their payment to a later course.
Applying for a course
If you’ve read this far, and you’re interested in joining one of my courses, complete the application form. It should take around 20-45 minutes to complete, depending on the depth of your answers. Please whitelist the email at the end of the application form to ensure that you receive my reply!
Please note that due to UK sanctions and guidelines from Cambridge, I am currently unable to accept candidates or payments anybody based in Russia or Belarus.
If you are suitable for the course, I will send you a pre-course task to check the level of your written English and give you an idea of what to expect. I will also arrange a 20-30 minute spoken interview with you to discuss the course and your suitability for it and give you the chance to ask any questions you may have. If these are both satisfactory, you will be offered a place on the course.
Places will be allocated in order of payment until the course in question is full or until six sessions after the course start date.
I look forward to working with you to help you complete your Delta!
Mailing list
Are you interested in DELTA at some point in the future, but not ready to join a course yet? Would you like DELTA tips? Are you interested in future course dates, fees and special offers. If the answer to any of these questions is yes, join the Take Your Time DELTA mailing list to tell me which modules you’re interested in, or fill in your email below to receive emails about all the modules.
Sandy Millin 