DELTA: Advanced Training for Practising English Teachers
DELTA (Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) is a Level 7 qualification accredited by Cambridge Assessment English. It’s designed for teachers who already have CELTA and at least two years of classroom experience.
Students
Schools
Who is DELTA for?
DELTA is for you if you’re a working teacher who wants to move forward, whether that means becoming a better practitioner, specialising in a particular area of ELT, or taking on academic management or teacher training responsibilities.
To be accepted, you’ll need your CELTA (or an equivalent Level 5 qualification) and at least two years of teaching experience.
What is DELTA?
DELTA (Diploma in teaching English to speakers of other languages) is detailed and comprehensive course that covers advanced theory and practice to help you develop in your teaching career.
DELTA is a qualification from Cambridge Assessment English, which is part of the University of Cambridge.It is a qualification from Cambridge Assessment English, which is part of the University of Cambridge.

You need at least one year’s experience to make the most of it, although many people take it after a number of year’s experience in the classroom. If you are planning to progress into academic management a DELTA is a very good idea. In some schools it will be a prerequisite.
The three DELTA modules
Module 1 — Understanding Language, Methodology, and Resources
Module 1 examines the theoretical foundations of English language teaching. You will analyse how the English language works, covering grammar, vocabulary, phonology, and discourse. You will also explore a range of teaching methodologies and evaluate how different approaches apply across different learner contexts.
The module is assessed through a written exam consisting of two papers: one focused on language analysis, one on methodology and resources. This module is well-suited to self-study and distance learning and can be taken independently of the other two modules.
Module 2 — Developing Professional Practice
Module 2 is the practical heart of DELTA. Over the course of the module, you will plan and deliver a series of lessons that are observed and assessed by a qualified tutor. You will also build a professional development portfolio that documents your reflective practice, your responses to feedback, and your development as a teacher.
Module 2 requires in-person teaching with real students and cannot be completed fully online. It is the most intensive of the three modules and is typically taken at an IH school or training centre.
Module 3 — ELT Management and Specialism
Module 3 is an independent extended study. You choose either a specialist area of ELT practice or an ELT management topic and conduct a substantial piece of research, culminating in a written assignment equivalent to a dissertation.
Specialist areas include Business English, Young Learners, IELTS preparation, one-to-one teaching, CLIL, and others. Management topics cover areas such as curriculum design, teacher development, and academic management. Module 3 can be completed through distance learning and is often taken after Modules 1 and 2.
Study formats
Face-to-face Learning
Take a Delta preparation course at one of our IH centres around the world
Blended-Learning
Combines both online and contact learning for more flexibility (module 2 requires in-person observation)
Distance Learning
Full-time or part-time online distance learning options with IH London
Where DELTA can take you
DELTA is widely seen as the qualification that separates career teachers from career starters. It’s the entry point into academic management, teacher training, and director-of-studies roles across the IH network and beyond.
If you want to train other teachers, lead a department, or eventually run a school, DELTA is the qualification you’ll need.
Next DELTA courses Available
DELTA Module 1 with IH Prague
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DELTA Module 2 with IH Istanbul
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DELTA Module 3 with IH Wroclaw
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DELTA Module 2 with IH Bydgoszcz
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DELTA Module 2 with IH London
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DELTA Modules 2 & 3 Combined with IH Brno
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DELTA Module 2 with IH Bangkok
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DELTA Modules 2&3 Combined with IH Prague
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DELTA Module 2 with IH Cairo
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DELTA Module 3 with IH Newcastle
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DELTA (Full Diploma) with IH Rome Accademia Britannica
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DELTA (Full Diploma) with IH Newcastle
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DELTA Module 2 with IH Newcastle
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DELTA Module 2 with CLIC IH Malaga
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DELTA Module 1 with IH Almaty
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DELTA Module 1 with IH Cairo
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DELTA Module 1 with IH Mexico City
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DELTA Module 2 with IH Kyiv
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DELTA Module 2 with IH Bangkok
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DELTA Module 2 with IH Bangkok
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DELTA Module 3 with IH Seville
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DELTA Module 1 with IH Seville
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DELTA Module 2 with IH Riga
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DELTA Module 1&2 combined with IH Rome Accademia Britannica
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DELTA Module 1&2 combined with IH Mexico City
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DELTA Module 2 with IH Mexico City
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DELTA Module 3 with IH London
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DELTA Module 3 with IH London
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DELTA Module 3 with IH Cairo
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DELTA Module 2 with IH London
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DELTA Module 3 with IH Bangkok
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DELTA Module 1 with IH London
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DELTA (Full Diploma) — Online PT with IH London
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DELTA (Full Diploma) — Online & F2F with IH London
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DELTA Module 3 with IH Almaty
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DELTA Module 1 with IH Wroclaw
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DELTA Module 3 with IH Mexico City
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DELTA Module 2 with IH Bucharest
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DELTA Module 1 with IH Newcastle
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DELTA Module 1 with IH Almaty
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DELTA (Full Diploma) with IH Cairo
DELTA
DELTA Module 1 with IH Mexico City
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DELTA Module 1 with IH Istanbul
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DELTA (Full Diploma) with IH London
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DELTA Module 1 with IH Rome Accademia Britannica
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DELTA Module 3 with IH Catania
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DELTA Module 3 with IH Istanbul
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DELTA Module 1 with IH Bucharest
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DELTA Module 1 with IH Kyiv
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DELTA Module 1 with IH Bangkok
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DELTA Module 1&2 combined with IH London
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DELTA Module 1&2 combined with IH Budapest
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DELTA Module 2 with IH Budapest
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DELTA Module 2 with CLIC IH Malaga
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DELTA Module 2 with IH Milan - San Donato
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DELTA Module 1 with IH Milan - San Donato
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DELTA Module 1 with IH Bucharest
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DELTA Module 1 with IH Belfast
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DELTA Module 1 with IH Budapest
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DELTA Module 3 with IH Bucharest
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DELTA Module 2 with IH Kyiv
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Entry requirements
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s Cambridge DELTA?
DELTA is a teaching-oriented certificate designed for experienced teachers who want to take their career to the next level. There are three modules:
- Module 1: Understanding language, methodology and resources for teaching (theory of ELT). It is assessed through a two-part written exam, 90 minutes each part.
- Module 2: Developing professional practice (practical component). This is assessed through coursework and the teaching of four lessons (LSAs), one of each assessed externally. Your portfolio will include a PDA (professional development assignment), the essays written in support to the lessons taught (background essays), and post-lesson evaluation.
- Module 3: Extending practice and English language teaching specialism OR English Language Teaching management (extension). This is assessed through an extended assignment of 4000-4500 words.
Do I have to take the modules in a set order?
You can prepare for the exam in module 1 (or even for the extended assignment in Module 3) independently. However, it is recommended that, at least for Module 1, you attend a course that helps you understand not only the concepts, but also exam strategies.
Is the DELTA for me?
Official requirements: In order to do modules 1 and 3 you should have some teaching experience (at least a year in ELT), which is a must if you intend to do module 2.
Prior Qualifications: For all three modules teachers should have an initial teaching qualification like CELTA, and a level of language between C1 and C2. But these are not official. If you can demonstrate some suitable prior qualification and a good enough level of English, you are eligible.
Experience: The gap between initial training qualifications and DELTA can be wide. Ideally, teachers who hold an initial qualification should go for a course that helps them dive deeper in theory before they face DELTA (for example the IH Certificate in Advanced Methodology). This will help you with sufficient knowledge to make the most of the DELTA.
What kind of jobs can I expect to be qualified for after completing the DELTA?
You could also explore giving seminars and webinars, as well as writing blogs and materials. Course book and curriculum development are also interesting areas to explore.
Is the DELTA designed for people who want to teach adult ESL learners only?
When and how do I get the results?
What happens if I fail anything?
Module 2 (Lessons): You can fail an internally assessed lesson, as long as the Module (2) as a whole satisfies criteria for a pass. If you fail the externally assessed lesson you can retake it within 12 months.
Module 3 (course proposal): You can ask for feedback on your proposal and this will help you improve your work so that you can resubmit an improved version.
Should I do the DELTA or a Masters course?
This depends very much on your personal career objectives. The DELTA is a much more practical teaching qualification than most Masters courses, but if you are thinking of doing the DELTA first and then going on to do a Masters, it is worth noting that a pass in all three DELTA modules may be accepted by different university worldwide giving you exemption from some core modules.
Many universities which run MA (or M.Ed.) courses in TESOL or Applied Linguistics accept the DELTA as equivalent to between 1/4 and 1/3 of the total course modules.
r roles. It is also used by teachers who want to specialise in a specific area of ELT, such as Business English, Young Learners, or IELTS preparation.