Teachers Brad Bentz, Jane Calder, Lisa Topolniski, Marina Crawford, and Steeve Bryden are perfect examples of teachers who have demonstrated their dedication to improving professionally. Each of these teachers is a graduate of the DELTA program, one of the highest qualifications an ESL teacher can get.
DELTA is a companion course to the CELTA program (a two-month ESL teaching certification program which is administered by Cambridge University in England). CELTA and DELTA were started by London's International House but has been administered by Cambridge University for a number of years. CELTA is an essential qualification for teachers in the UK. GV Vancouver has been accredited to offer CELTA, DELTA and CELTA – Young Learners Extension (YL). It is the only centre in Canada accredited to offer DELTA and the only one in North American accredited to offer CELTA – YL.
DELTA gives teachers the opportunity to examine their teaching methods in great detail and enhance their understanding of different learning styles. It's an extremely intense, challenging (and expensive!) program. In fact, in Europe, DELTA is referred to as "a Teaching Masters", which gives you an idea of how rigorous the program is.
"In DELTA there's a real emphasis on merging theory and practice in the classroom", Brad Bentz says. "They really force you to create lessons that best focus on the needs of your learners." While the CELTA program gives students a solid grounding in teaching theory with classroom practice, DELTA takes it a step further and allows teachers to thoroughly explore teaching aspects of each skill that interests them.
While Brad, Jane, Steeve, Lisa, and Marina each made a significant investment of time and money in order to achieve this distinctive qualification, Global Village Vancouver has also demonstrated its commitment to helping teachers be all that they can be. Contracted teachers who take the GV DELTA program are reimbursed for ten percent of the cost by the school. Tuition for DELTA is currently about $5,000.
So what kinds of characteristics does one find in DELTA students? Marie Morgan, one of two Teacher Training Coordinators at GV Vancouver, says "everyone who takes the DELTA is something of an explorer, and has a real commitment to continue the journey that is their professional development." She adds that it often takes courage for experienced teachers who are comfortable with their teaching and classroom routines to enter an environment where these routines are open for debate and possible 'de-/ reconstruction'.
According to Marie, Global Village Vancouver was the ideal choice as home for the CELTA and DELTA. "GV Vancouver has a long history of commitment to excellence", she remarks. "It has supported local and national initiatives to improve standards in ESL through its various associations with organizations like PELSA, BC TEAL, TESL Canada, Canadian Language Council."
GV Vancouver and its teachers are also heavily involved in many other aspects of professional development. In 2002, the school hosted the 34th Annual TEAL Conference, an important ESL industry event which was widely attended. GV Vancouver teachers frequently teach their own workshops at these conferences, and you'll find many involved with teaching evening professional development classes in local community college programs. Two teachers have even collaborated on writing an ESL activity book!
Mark Brodie, GV Teacher
To learn more about GV Vancouver Teacher Training Programs, please visit www.gvcareer.com |
