Teacher learning on the Delta
September 2009 - July 2010(Contact: Dr Simon Borg)
Funded By: Cambridge ESOL
Cambridge ESOL is a provider of qualifications for teachers of English. One of their qualifications is the Delta (Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults). This qualification is designed for practising teachers who have completed an initial training programme for teaching English. Many of the candidates on the Delta are seeking to move into Senior Teacher and Management positions.
The Delta consists of three modules. These can be studied through attendance at a training centre or else on-line. For the purposes of this study, a full-time training-centred based version of the Delta will be examined. The training centre in question is a well-established and reputable institution in London. At this centre, all three Delta modules are taught in an intensive 8-week programme.
While the Delta has been available for several years, little is known about the nature of the teacher learning that occurs on it nor about the impact this has on the subsequent professional practices of successful candidates. This study examines these issues; the primary mechanism for doing so will be a series of interviews with six case study participants over the course of the 8 weeks. These interviews will explore participants’ perceptions of what and how they are learning during the course. In addition, data will also be collected via a pre-course questionnaire (to examine what participants expect to learn during the course) and a further post-course interview two months after its completion. Work participants produce during the course and which is assessed will also be collected as evidence of their learning.
This project last updated by Simon Borg on 2nd September 2009.