If you decide to stay in EFL/ESL long term (you can check out my article on ESL careers here), there’s a chance that you’ll be looking at acquiring additional certification beyond the basic TESOL or CELTA certification and continuing youreducation. But what are your options? Continuing education isan investment of both time and money, so today let’s take a look at the four most common continuing education paths.
DELTA
In my previous article on basic EFL certifications I mentioned the DELTA or Diploma in
Teaching English to Speakers of Foreign Languages, which is a masters level EFL certification course. Most commonly taught through Cambridge English accredited language schools at various locations around the world, the DELTA takes about a year to complete and has three modules. The certification blends theory and practice, which is one major difference between the DELTA and a masters. DELTA courses are available in 3 ways 1) in classroom 2) blended – with an in classroom and online component 3) online. With DELTA there is always an additional assessment fee as this goes to Cambridge English,who provide the assessors and the certificate.
Module 1
Module one is about understanding language, methodology and resources for teaching, and is considered the hardest module. This module includes historical and current theories of language acquisition and how they influence teaching methodologies and their effectiveness. Language systems and learners’ linguistic problems and the impact of teaching methodology choices. It also covers language skills and learner problems, which are the subskills and strategies needed by learners and choosing teaching methodology related to these. Finally, it examines knowledge of resources, materials and reference sources and their practical usage in a range of teaching contexts. Module 1 costs on average $600, but this can vary by country and if you are doing in classroom, blended or online.
Examination
DELTA module 1 is evaluated by an exam consisting of two 90-minute papers, the first paper is very focused on language awareness and knowledge about the systems of English (grammar, vocabulary, phonology, and discourse) in a realistic setting. For example, you may be asked to consider the language necessary for learners to perform a certain communicative task. As it is the hardest module, it is common not to pass the exam on the first try and as the exam fee is around $400, it can be expensive. Because of this, it is highly recommended that you take a course that is in classroom or blended and over a longer period of time to maximize preparation time.
Module 2
Module is focused on developing professional practices. Itworks on developing awareness and expertise in the principles and professional practice of teaching English in a range of contexts and is considered the most practical module. Topics covered in module 2 are very lesson planning and teaching in practice ha include adapting teaching for different abilities, motivations, and learning styles. Lesson planning, methodology and material choices, how to develop selection criteria for resources and evaluating the effectiveness of resources and materials used in class. As well as having your teaching observed and assessed you also get the chance to observe and assess other teachers. Additional opportunities for professional development are also explored. The cost for module 2 runs around $2,800 with an assessment fee of $245, which makes module 2 the most expensive of all the DELTA modules.
Examination
Module 2 is assessed through a combination of background essays, lesson planning, as well as observed and assessed teaching.
Module 3
There are two options for module 3, depending on what your ultimate career goals in EFL are, it is also possible to do both if you’re interested. Option 1: Extending Practice and ELT Specialism which is geared more towards individuals looking to continue in the classroom. Option 2: English Language Teaching Management, which would be better for those who are looking to move into move into management and development positions. Module 3 costs around $600 with an additional assessment fee of $245, if you’re interested in doing both options you would double that cost. Let’s take a look at what is covered in each option.
Option 1: Extending Practice and ELT Specialism.
In module 3, option 1 you will carry out an independent investigation and design a course program based on your findings. For option 1, you will need access to a class to base your assessment on for the chosen specialization of your project. Some schools may offer access to class, but most will not so you will need to actively teaching.
Option 2: English Language Teaching Management.
In option 2, you carry out an independent situation analysis which you will use to design a change proposal for an area of management. Individuals pursuing option 2, will need access to a language teaching operation in order to have access to the data and information needed to put together a management proposal.
Examination
Module 3 is evaluated through an extended assignment that will include research and ultimately designing a program or a change to management in ELT.
Who should get a DELTA?
DELTA is a great option for teachers who want to continueteaching and want to increase their expertise in this classroom. This can include teachers who have career goals of being CELTA and DELTA tutors, working as an IELTS evaluator or even opening their own language center or program and working for themselves. It can also take the place of a masters for teachers who are looking to teach at a university. It is also beneficial for teachers who are interested in moving into a management role at a language school, such as Director of Studies.
Teaching License
Many ESL/EFL teachers are not education majors or licensed teachers, which makes acquiring a teaching license in your home country another popular option for teachers looking to stay in the teaching game long-term and to move into a higher quality position (especially if you are teaching in Asia). For the sake of this article I’ll be covering getting licensed in the US, because that’s where I’m from. Getting a teaching license post college and while teaching abroad can seem complicated, but there are a few programs that are great for expat teachers.
Teacher Ready
Teacher Ready is an online certification course that allows you to become a licensed teacher for grades K-12 in about a year. With Teacher Ready, you’re able to set your own learning and classroom schedule, which is great for teachers on working in a different time zone. Teacher Ready also works to help you find a mentor teacher to complete classroom teaching hours with.
Curriculum
Teacher Ready’s curriculum has 8 lessons that cover a variety of topics and include online classroom time and in classroom teaching assignments. Teachers will also need to complete 185 hours of experience under mentor observation, while this may sound like a lot, if you are already teaching it can be done fairly quickly as most EFL teachers are teaching on average 20 hours a week.
Mentors
Teachers working towards their license are paired with a mentor teacher that they’re placed with via help from Teacher Ready. These teachers are licensed and have at least 3 years of teaching experience, for those of us working outside of our home countries, these teachers are usually in international schools.
Exam & Licensing
With Teacher Ready you take the Florida state teaching license exam. Florida has reciprocity with 47 other states, which means you would be able to teach in those states if you decided to teach in the US. You are required to take the exam in person, which can be tricky, however, Teacher Ready contracts with Pearson Testing Centers which have locations all over the US and on some overseas military bases. There are three separate exams you will need to take to acquire a teaching license.
1) Subject Area Exam $200
2) General Knowledge Exam $130
3) Professional Education Exam $150
One important thing to note about the subject area exam, is that if your subject is one of the World Languages such as English, you will be required to take your exam in Florida due to the hands-on component.
Cost
Teacher Ready costs about$5,000 plus the cost of exams. If you have to travel to take any of the exams, you may want to factor those costs in as well.
Teach Now
Teach Now is a program similar to Teacher Ready. Besides a program for becoming a licensed teacher in the US, they also offer a MA TESOL, however, as they are not an accredited university I would not recommend using Teach Now for a masters, as foreign schools may not accept a masters from an institute other than an accredited university and it would be very frustrating to invest that time and money into something that you can’t use to further yourself in your career. Teach Now is also an online program that will allow you to become a certified subject teacher for grades K-12. The program lasts for about year
Curriculum
The Teach Now curriculum for has 8 modules that cover topics including: assessing student learning, ability to teach subject matter, classroom management, using technology in the classroom, and time management. The course lasts for 9 months and combines in online classroom time with a series of in classroom assignments, so you will need access to a classroom to complete the teaching assignments.
Exam & Licensing
Teach Now provides the ability to get licensed in 3 states; Washington DC, Arizona, and Hawaii and these states have reciprocity with most other US states and is recognized in most countries. All three states utilize the Praxis test which means the testing process is the same regardless of which of the three states you are licensed in. The exam has three parts:
1. Core Academic Skills for Educators ($90) – this is a comprehensive assessment that measures the candidate’s skills and knowledge.
2. Subject Assessments ($120) - this test measures the candidate’s general and subject-specific content knowledge.
3. School Leadership Series ($120) – these tests are for candidates who are interested in administrative and leadership roles in a school or district.
The exams do need to be taken in person, again if you are teaching internationally you will have to take a trip to the states in order to take the exams and become licensed.
Cost
The teaching program costs approximately $6,000 plus the cost of exams and traveling to take the exams.
Who should get a teaching license?
A teaching license is a good choice for teachers who would like to teach at international schools, who would like to move into subject teaching outside of ESL and teachers who would like to teach back in the US.
Masters Programs
Masters TESOL
An MA TESOL is typically a 2 year post graduate programoffered by accredited universities
and are designed to further current or perspective teacher’s education and skill sets. Programs are offered online and in person with a variety of class times available such as programs that run on weeknights and on weekends to accommodate working and internationalteachers. MA TSEOL programs are typically more research and theory based then practice based which is one of the main ways it differs from the DELTA.
Curriculum
Curriculums can vary a bit by university, but a typical curriculum for an MA TSEOL includes the following topics:
Second Language Teaching & Learning – this would be an overview of second language teaching and learning in the classroom, including theories and changes in ESL. Major trends and issues in second language learning and their practical implementation in the classroom.
Grammar for Language Teachers – a course like this introduces key grammatical terms and concepts, techniques and procedures for describing/analyzing texts from a grammatical perspective. It would also include techniques for teaching grammar and may include collecting sample work from students to develop a classroom exercise to teach grammar.
Discourse Analysis for Language Teachers – would introduce students to key concepts of discourse and discourse analysis. This can include the nature of spoken and written discourse. The cohesion and coherence of speech, speech act theory, rhetorical analysis, discourse and syntax and discourse in the classroom.
Second Language Acquisition – second language acquisition deals with second language research and the history and development of SLA research. This can include language development for SLA learner variables and the application of SLA pedagogy.
Classroom Management & Observation – covers issues relating to effective management of the teaching and learning process in ESL/EFL classrooms. Creating a positive environment to facilitating learning and professional decisions to ensure learning including; lesson planning, effective use of questions, classroom dynamics, monitoring and evaluating students among other topics.
Second Language Classroom Research – introduces students to methodological and substantive issues in research, and skills for investigating in the classroom.
Second Language Curriculum & Development – in this type of class students learn about program planning, implementation, and evaluation for ESL/EFL education. How to conduct a situation and needs analysis, goal and objective setting, syllabus design, materials development and adaptation and teaching support and evaluation.
Research Methods in Language Learning – covers common research issues and methods in language acquisition and prepares students for the research element of the program.
Thesis or Research Portfolio – depending on your program you may have the option to complete either a thesis or a research portfolio, a thesis is the most common option and not all programs offer the research portfolio option. For a thesis, students design and carryout a piece of original research in an area of ESL and present the results in a written work. A research portfolio is generally having a student conduct a small-scale research project and providing a written report of it.
Who should get an MA TESOL?
A masters TESOL is a good option for teachers who are interested in moving into positions of management, or curriculum development. It’s also an option for teachers who would like to teach in the Middle East as this is often an education requirement even for teaching in elementary school, teachers wanting to teach at universities and those wanting to teach back in the US.
Masters Applied Linguistics
Applied linguistics is the study of human language and applying that study to the human condition through linguistic training. This includes understanding how language functions in society, the ideology that drives language choice in multilingual situations. It also draws connections between social factors and the relationship between language and academic outcome. With most MA applied linguistics there is often a teaching practicum which includes planning, preparing and executing lesson plans and lessons, as well as develop language assessment tools. There is also a supervised thesis option to research a topic of their choice in ASL and present a written finding.
Curriculum
As with an MA TESOL, the exact curriculum can vary from program to program, but they commonly include the following topics:
• Phonology & Phonetics
• Syntax & Semantics
• Sociolinguistics
• SLA theory and research
• TEFL methods & materials
• Reading & writing pedagogy
• Grammar in use and pedagogical phonology
Who should get an MA Applied Linguistics?
An MA Applied Linguistics is a good continuing education choice for teachers looking to go into applied linguistics and speech pathology. For teachers who are planning to stay in the classroom, an MA in Applied Linguistics is an option if you are hoping to teach at the university level in the US or abroad, or even as an ESL educator in public schools in the states.
Before investing in continuing education for your EFL/ESL or teaching career, make sure you have a plan for what you want to do with your career as an educator. If you're not sure what direction you want to go, you can check out my blog on some career paths in ESL/EFL. As my university is delaying its return to in classroom activities, I'm currently working on my DELTA . While I would prefer an in class experience, I also did not want to put off working on it as it such a long process to complete all three modules. I'll be sharing my DELTA experience in depth as I complete each module.
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