Training tracks for field service
with SIL and similar organizations
Many students take courses at SIL-UND to prepare for field service as linguist/translators, literacy specialists, language surveyors, or signed language specialists. Others want training in intercultural community work or how to learn a language to prepare for a variety of other roles.
The following charts show how students can use SIL-UND courses to prepare themselves for the different roles listed above. If you have questions about how to customize these training tracks for your particular situation, please contact the SIL-UND Director.
The charts are based on requirements to serve on the field with SIL-International. For a complete list of training requirements for service with SIL in various specializations, see the separate page for general information about SIL schools in North America, and especially the training tracks listed there.
Index
- Linguist/translators
- Language acquisition for general cross-cultural workers
- Literacy specialists
- Language surveyors
- Signed language specialists
- Intercultural community workers
Linguist/Translator Track
This is our primary track, taken by the most students, especially those interested in field service with SIL or similar organizations as linguists or translators.
|
1st summer |
Package A: Language and Linguistics (Introductory) Package
|
|
2nd summer |
Package B: Linguistic Fieldwork Package
|
|
First field term (1-3 years) |
Some countries of service accept new workers at this point in their training. Others require additional training before the first field term. |
|
Later summers |
Advanced courses, possibly working toward an M.A. in linguistics. |
|
Beyond... |
Field service together with ongoing training (in field workshops, at an SIL school, or at another university). |
Language Acquisition Track
A modification of Package A (Language and Linguistics) can provide a helpful and thorough preparation for learning a language in a field situation. This package is for people whose primary purpose is not linguistics, literacy or translation—people such as missionaries, anthropologists, community development workers, educators, diplomats, and business people.
|
1 summer only |
Two courses form the core that teaches you how to learn a language:
Other courses can make you even more successful as you learn to function in another language and culture. You may choose from the following courses (5 credits max) to fill up your course schedule:
|
|
Beyond... |
Proceed to field service. |
Literacy Specialist Track
Students who want to serve as literacy specialists with SIL should plan to take (at a minimum) two summers of courses, one of general linguistics and one consisting of the Literacy Megacourse, as shown below. Since the Megacourse is not offered every summer, consult with the SIL-UND Director about when you can take each package of courses. Students who are not planning to work with SIL, especially those who are actively involved in teaching literacy in formal or nonformal settings, sometimes take the Literacy Megacourse without training in linguistics.
|
1 summer of general linguistics |
Package A: Language and Linguistics (Introductory) Package
Important note: People training to be literacy specialists sometimes substitute Phonology I for one of the courses in Package A in order to complete as much training as possible in two summers. However, Phonology I requires special permission to be taken at the same time as Phonetics, and there are also scheduling issues to consider. If you are interested in this option, please contact the SIL-UND Director. |
|
1 summer focused on literacy |
Package L: Literacy Megacourse
Graduate students may be eligible to earn a Certificate in Community-Based Literacy as Applied Linguistics by taking the four courses in the Literacy Megacourse. Students in the Megacourse who have not previously taken Phonology I and Introduction to Sociolinguistics should discuss with the SIL-UND director or the megacourse instructor whether they should take Introduction to Writing Systems for credit or audit. |
|
Optional later summers |
Other Advanced courses, possibly working toward an M.A. in linguistics. |
|
Beyond... |
Field service as a literacy specialist in a multilingual society. |
Language Survey Track
Our primary course for this track, Sociolinguistic Methods in Language Survey, is taught at SIL-UND only in odd-numbered years. As such, the courses that you take depend on whether you start studying in an odd-numbered or even-numbered year. Thus, there are two training tracks below.
The courses that you need to be a language surveyor are also available from the Summer@CanIL program (every summer) and the Graduate Institute of Applied Linguistics (every January and by distance ed). As long as you get all the courses you need, you can take them from different SIL schools.
Because there are so many options, the following is only a general guide; your specific training path may be rather different. Contact us for advice about how to choose among the various possibilities.
|
Starting in an odd-numbered year |
Starting in an even-numbered year |
|
|
1st summer |
|
|
|
2nd summer |
|
|
|
Beyond... |
Field service as a language surveyor. (If you will be working with SIL, there is normally a 2-year term of service, which includes a 6-month internship under experienced survey personnel.) Some surveyors continue on with graduate study in linguistics or sociolinguistics, such as the M.A. program at UND. For example, see the M.A. theses by Calvin Tiessen and Jason Parks. |
|
Signed Language Track
If you are interested in taking these courses, please contact the SIL-UND director to discuss your particular needs and interests and how well they fit with what we have to offer.
|
1st summer |
A modified version of Package A: Language and Linguistics (Introductory) Package. These courses are offered every summer. Most of them cover both signed and spoken languages, and lay the foundation for the advanced courses on sign languages below.
|
|
2nd summer |
Advanced courses focused on signed languages are offered most summers. Check our course listings for availability in a particular year. The following courses presuppose proficiency in a natural sign language equivalent to one year of college-level instruction.
|
|
Beyond... |
Field service in a particular signed language and/or further training (e.g. in language survey or other advanced courses), possibly working toward an M.A. in linguistics. |
Intercultural Community Worker Track
SIL-UND does not offer all the courses that are required for service as an intercultural community worker with SIL, but it does offer a basic set of courses that you can take during the summer. Then you would take the rest of the courses elsewhere. See SIL International's description of this specialty for further information about courses required and contact information where you can ask questions.
|
Summer at SIL-UND |
|
|
Take other courses elsewhere |
Additional courses for this specialization are available from GIAL and CANIL. |
|
Beyond... |
Field service as an intercultural community worker. |