There is a 30-minute break between papers, making the total session 3 hours and 30 minutes. Paper One includes labelling, short answers, and longer responses; Paper Two requires longer written responses.

The syllabus covers language acquisition, teaching approaches, language systems and skills, learner difficulties, teaching resources, and assessment concepts. Candidates need to explain ideas accurately and apply them to teaching situations.

Paper One lasts 90 minutes, contains five tasks, and carries 100 marks—50% of the examination total.

Task One: Identifying Terminology — 6 Marks

You receive six definitions and supply the correct English language teaching term for each. Each correct answer earns one mark.

Task Two: Defining Terms — 12 Marks

You define four terms and provide an appropriate example for each. Each item earns two marks for the definition and one for the example.

Task Three: Analysing Speaking or Writing Requirements — 12 Marks

You identify three additional language features learners need to complete a given speaking or writing activity. Each feature requires an example, earning two marks for identification and two for illustration.

Task Four: Analysing Learner Language — 20 Marks

You identify four strengths and weaknesses in learner output, covering the specified areas. Include at least one strength and one weakness, supported by examples.

Task Five: Analysing an Authentic Text — 50 Marks

You analyse genre features and specified language items, addressing meaning, form, use, pronunciation, and potential learner difficulties as requested. See the Cambridge DELTA Handbook.

Suggested Time Management

Allow 5, 10, 10, 15, and 45 minutes respectively for Tasks One–Five, leaving 5 minutes for checking.

Paper Two lasts 90 minutes, contains three tasks, and carries 100 marks—50% of the examination total.

Task One: Evaluating a Test — 18 Marks

You evaluate a test for a specified purpose and learner context. You must provide six points, including positive and negative observations, and explain their relevance to the learner. Appropriate assessment terminology should support your evaluation.

Task Two: Analysing Teaching Materials — 42 Marks

Using a coursebook extract, you explain:

• Part A: The purposes of specified activities — 12 marks.
• Part B: How other activities support those activities — 12 marks.
• Part C: Six underlying assumptions about language learning, explaining each and linking it to the material — 18 marks.

Task Three: Discussing Teaching Principles — 40 Marks

You respond to questions prompted by teaching-related material. Topics may include methodology, language acquisition, teacher roles, and classroom practice.

30 marks reward relevant points; 10 marks reward depth, including explanations, examples, and supporting rationale. These task details follow the Cambridge DELTA Handbook.

Suggested Time Management

A practical allocation is 15 minutes for Task One, 35 for Task Two, 35 for Task Three, and 5 for checking. Practise this allocation and adjust it to your writing speed.

There are 200 marks available across both papers. Results are based on the combined score and awarded as:

• Pass with Distinction
• Pass with Merit
• Pass
• Fail

Grade boundaries are determined through Cambridge’s grading process