Continuing Professional Development: TESOL Master's v Diploma/DELTA

Before committing to a course you should investigate which qualification and which institute running the course is preferred by your prospective employers.  Also bear in mind that some universities will award you credits for your Diploma/Delta which you can then use towards your master’s course; you may then only have to do three of the six modules (and a dissertation) to get your master’s.

Usually universities will only allow one module to be credited from previous studies, but this still amounts to a substantial financial and work-load saving. However, once you have completed a master’s degree you do not usually require a diploma in TEFL, therefore saving time and money.

Many teachers prefer to attain a master’s degree as it doesn’t usually involve teaching practice (which conversely is why many institutions prefer a diploma) and lesson observations (which most teachers already experience enough of in their day-to-day life) and the master’s negates the need for a diploma.

Remember that a Continuing Professional Development section might be introduced to all TEFL teachers’ CVs – this might result in it being advantageous in doing both a diploma/Delta and a master’s.  In this case, it would be worth undertaking the diploma first as you may save money and effort getting your master’s degree later (as mentioned above).

The following points might help you decide:

• Do you want to teach at university (usually require a master’s) or be a Director of Studies/DoS (usually require a DELTA/Dip)?
• Distance learning MAs are not accepted by some institutions around the world;
• DELTA has more recognition in Europe than in the Middle and Far East;
• Teacher training posts usually prefer a DELTA/Dip;
• Schools which offer CELTA/TESOL courses are often more inclined to hire teachers with a DELTA/Dip than an MA.

Still not sure?  Ask info@teflhub.com a question