Awarded by University of Cambridge International Examinations, UK

Introduction

The Cambridge International Diploma for Teachers and Trainers is for everyone who needs to be competent in carrying out learning and development activities professionally and productively. The Diploma provides clear up-to-date and valued performance standards. In today's world of flexible and lifelong learning, teaching can take place in many different ways. However, the skills, knowledge and understanding involved in teaching are generic and transferable. The Diploma enables candidates to work in contexts that are most relevant to them, while addressing these generic performance standards. Thus the Diploma is accessible to teacher/trainers in all areas and all levels of education and training. The Diploma recognises the range of effective teaching and learning methods, technologies and styles now available, and encourages candidates to be thoughtful and resourceful in their approach to particular learning needs.

The International Dimension

The Diploma has been developed specifically for international education and training environments and is based on recognised good practice. The performance standards embodied in the Diploma are valued in countries around the world. The syllabus and assignments provide a framework through which candidates in any country can be reliably assessed. They are designed to enable candidates to demonstrate that they can apply the skills and knowledge described in the syllabus specification in the context in which they work or are preparing to work.

Aims

The aim of the Diploma is to assess a candidate's competence in a range of learning and development activities. The Diploma enables candidates to develop and demonstrate skills, knowledge and understanding in:

• Design - planning and preparing appropriate learning programmes and sessions
• Practice - facilitating active learning and learner involvement
• Assessment - assessing learners' progress and achievement
• Evaluation - improving teaching and learning.

Who is it for

The Diploma is intended for teacher/trainers in educational establishments, training organisations and companies. They can be full-time or part-time. Their teaching role may be their only responsibility or one of a number of responsibilities they have within their institution. The Diploma has been designed to be flexible, so that candidates from a variety of teaching environments have equal opportunity to demonstrate their skills, knowledge and understanding. These environments can range across teaching subject (from general to technical and vocational programmes), phase (from primary to higher education, or from basic to advanced training) and age of learners (from children to adults).

Length of Study

The scheme is designed to take approximately 240 learning hours, including the development and implementation of the assignments. The learning hours include classroom time, reading time, self-study, and assignment preparation. It is envisaged that approximately half (i.e., 120 hours) will be spent in the classroom for lectures, mentoring, and discussions.