SIL Academic Training
Academic training in SIL focuses on preparing people to do quality linguistic fieldwork, literacy, and translation.
Training for Roles in Language Work
Scripture Use Worker
Scripture Use workers need to be competent in certain areas in order to succeed in their roles. Most often, those working with SIL will need the courses below to acquire these competencies. Readiness for the role depends on having the competencies, not on taking a course. Documented educational life experiences or other training is taken into account.
Scripture Use workers may be nationals in the country of service, and may be working in their own ethnic group or one very similar to theirs. The recommended formal training for them includes:
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A cross-cultural course that deals with issues of Gospel and culture
Helps candidates understand cross-cultural issues that affect the effective use of Scripture -
Language and Society
Helps candidates understand language issues that affect the effective use of Scripture -
Issues in Community Development or Program Planning
Helps candidates know how to help communities develop effective Scripture Use programs and practices -
A Scripture Use course
Helps candidates know how to put all these things together and interact with communities in effective ways
Scripture Use workers who are working in a culture different than their own need to learn another language and culture. The recommended formal training for them includes the courses listed above plus:
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Phonetics
Helps candidates be able to pronounce all the sounds of other languages so they can learn to speak any language well -
Language & Culture Acquisition
Helps candidates learn other languages, including the local language (often unwritten) and the local culture so that they can live in the community and relate to people appropriately -
Anthropology, with an emphasis on research methods
Helps candidates learn how to understand cultures so that they can identify appropriate Scripture Use interventions
Scripture Use workers will normally spend their first two years on the field in an ethnic group learning the language, culture, and getting hands-on experience in Scripture Use. This provides a solid foundation for a wider long-term ministry.
Training in Scripture Use is available at a growing number of venues: GIAL in Dallas, CanIL in Langley, B.C., Canada, ETP-UK, ATP (Africa Training Program in French), and more.