Following a TEFL Logue post on the Great MA / DELTA debate, in response to a similarly themed TEFLtastic post, metaTesol had an insightful post about the difficulty inherent in comparing these qualifications, specifically because MA programs vary so much. I think this is a fair enough point to make and I certainly do not presume to present a true comparison of the variety of MA programs and the DELTA in a 400 word post. I suppose I would argue that the DELTA is the most widely known higher qualification in EFL which is not an MA, and as such, it makes sense to make some comparison, albeit an imperfect one, and I don’t think the complexity of the topic means it shouldn’t be touched on.
It does seem while that there is a uniformity to the DELTA, regardless of where you take it, there is not to the various MA programs. There is not, for example, a DELTA in Applied Linguistics, Educational Psychology or English Literature, nor one DELTA which involves teaching practice and one which does not. There are, however, a wide variety of MA programs in these and other areas..and the fact is that some do not incorporate teaching practice. Common sense tells me there are advantages and disadvantages both to the DELTA’s relative uniformity.
Still, as someone who does not hold either (any) of these qualifications but is similar to those in a position to chose between (among) them, it strikes me that often in practice, there is not a large distinction drawn between different MA programs. This tends to work more to the benefit of MA holders than to others.
I certainly don’t mean to disparage every/any MA or the DELTA – both take a great deal of hard work, blood, sweat and tears. But I also don’t think it’s wrong to note that something is amiss when a program which does not involve any teaching practice is attributed the same level of quality (or more) as one that does. I think there is no shortage of those holding any MA in higher regard than a DELTA, but it’s fair to allow for the possibility that in at least some cases or comparisons, the DELTA may in fact turn out to be the “better” qualification.
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Despite your protests, I think you have managed to summarize the matter in 400 words!
TEFLtastic blog- “All the truth that’s fit to teach”- http://www.tefl.net/alexcase
I am going to try and outdo you here Katie, and summarize the situation in even less words:
-The DELTA will certainly make you a better teacher (although by how much varies). It is, however, unlikely to give you a full understanding of why you are doing those things that make it better
-Any MA will give you a deeper understanding of why certain things are done in the classroom than the DELTA. It will not, however, necessarily make you a better teacher. If you take it before you have any teaching experience, it is in fact likely to make you a worse teacher in the short term
Hmm, not as short as I thought it would be…
TEFLtastic blog- http://www.tefl.net/alexcase
Hmm…okay. Short and sweet, and probably fitting in with other various things I’ve heard/read…
I think your background makes you qualified to make that point, where I still have to go for the long-winded version and explain my reason for taking issue with it all…
I should probably stop now, before people with MAs beat me up.
You ever heard of people with MAs beating people up?? Ha! All too weak and pasty skinned from sitting inside writing dissertations no one will read! Me and my DELTA mate could have ten of those MA woossies any day!
I am about to finish my MEd TESOL. I considered the DELTA. I think it’s really practical in comparison to my research-based degree. At the end of the day, it was about which programme was going to be more widely recognised when seeking employment. The post-graduate diploma does not ring a bell in N. America and other parts of the world. The reputable universities in the Arabian Region (a big draw for career TESOLers) now requires a Masters degree, telling their previous hires with diplomas to get moving.
I did my certTESOL years ago in Barcelona with teacher trainers (all DELTA holders). A good few years later I sat in a classroom in Dubai with one of those former trainers-we were both getting the degree we needed to move us up the pay school and into better contracts.
I do sometimes wonder, though, if the DELTA is a must-have for those MA holders who want to change course and do teacher training.
Thanks for this insight (and I’m glad you feel safe posting…I would not want to get on the bad side of Alex and his DELTA thug friends!) Just kidding of course.
It is a good point that it makes sense to pursue the qualification that gets you into the places you want to work. My impression is also that “the MA” is more widely known.
The topic of teacher training is interesting and I do wonder what kind of background most in the field of teacher training generally have…I’m going to keep an eye out for links and return if I find some.
I’d be curious to find out where the DELTA takes you and what the pay range could be. I always wanted to get into teaching training after so many years in the classroom. I presume MA holders have to the DELTA anyway if they want to teach the CELTA course. Would that be accurate? I do see some ads in NYC looking for CELTA trainers-I’d just imagine that just so few americans in the US have the DELTA.
Never heard about anyone who has an MA doing the DELTA, though I’m sure they wouldn’t turn you away if you wanted to…
There are no fixed educational requirements for being a CELTA or even DELTA trainer that I know of
TEFLtastic- All the truth that’s fit to teach- http://www.tefl.net/alexcase
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