The Institute for the Development of Languages and Translation in Africa.

In partnership with existing academic institutions, SIL i-DELTA will seek to meet thn partnership with existing academic institutions, SIL i-DELTA will seek to meet the training needs for translation and language development in Africa, at post-secondary through Master’s level in English and French.e training needs for translation and language-based development in Africa, at post-secondary through Master’s level in English and French.

Anyone who meets the admission guidelines and wants to develop his/her skills for the purpose of translation or language development is welcome.

ATP provided courses in French over 11 weeks. We found that these courses were very intensive and could not cover all the material that was needed. Also, the total length of the courses was too short to receive accreditation. Therefore, ATP courses will not be held after 2009. ATP will be replaced by SIL i-DELTA. ATP was offered only in French. SIL i-DELTA will be in both French and English.

Beginning in 2010, modules in the domains of linguistics, literacy, translation and Scripture Use will be offered. These same modules as well as assessment (survey) and Anthropology will be offered in English in East Africa beginning in 2011. All modules at this time will be at undergraduate level.

In 2010, 2011, and 2012 the courses will be offered in French in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. In 2011, 2012 and 2013 SIL i-DELTA courses will be offered in English in East Africa. The location is yet to be determined. In 2013, 2014, and 2015 we expect SIL i-DELTA courses to be taught in Yaoundé Cameroon to be more convenient for those in Central Africa. The pattern may then be repeated with courses offered again in Burkina by 2016. The Anglophone courses may be offered sooner than 2014 depending on staffing and demand.

The General Training and Assessment course (GTA) will be four weeks. The GTA will usually be offered in January. The Academic Courses (AC) will last for eight weeks.

During the Academic Courses (AC’s) in each domain, there will be three modules. There will be a lecture each day for each of the three modules. So, 3 modules times 5 days is 15 lectures each week for approximately eight weeks. In addition, it is expected that the students will spend up to two hours studying for each hour spent in class. That means there will probably be up to another 30 hours each week in personal study. The total time needed for the course should be 45 hours per week. In some cases it may be necessary to teach modules in four week blocks. However, the total hours of study and class time will be the same.

If you do not have a secondary school certificate or a Bac, you are REQUIRED to attend the GTA. If you cannot produce the ORIGINAL certified copy of your Bac or secondary school certificate, then you are REQUIRED to attend the GTA. All others should attend the GTA even if they have their qualifications as many useful skills are taught during these four weeks.

If you are staying in the same domain (track) such as linguistics or literacy, then you may join the second academic course (AC2). However, due to changes in course content, those in translation and Scripture use will need to begin with AC1. If you want to do some cross-training in another domain, you may join in AC1. You do not need to take the GTA. For Linguistics and Literacy students, there will be an important assignment to complete before joining the AC2 course. Generally this assignment relates to collecting data so that you can work with those data during the analysis part of the AC2 modules.

Modules must cover a certain number of hours as well as content in order to be validated by a university. The ATP course did not meet these criteria. However, we will seek to apply for recognition of prior learning (RPL) for the area in which you studied. It may be that you will be give RPL credit for your studies and subsequent work.

The only additional module is Sociolinguistics. It may be possible to take this as a distance course through South Africa Theological Seminary. These modules will be available in English and in French. Credits with SATS should also transfer to other universities.

If you are preparing to work in a particular job such as a translator or linguistic specialist or literacy worker, and you have not had any previous formal training in this field, then it is best to stay with the modules recommended in each domain. However, if you have had some formal training elsewhere, you do not need to repeat modules that you have already taken. You may choose from the range of modules being offered in consultation with the SIL iDELTA Director and your sponsor.

During each Academic Course a student may take three modules. There are three academic courses or years. You will need to discuss your role and what training is needed with your sponsor. Generally, in order to fill an entry level, minimum requirement job, you need to complete the first academic course or three modules. If the role requires moderate preparation, then you should complete all three academic courses (9-10 modules).

Yes. Translation and Scripture Use modules will be accredited through the South African Theological Seminary (SATS). We expect that linguistics, literacy, assessment modules will be accredited through the University of South Africa (UNISA). Just under one third (1/3) of the credits required for a 3-year BA will be offered through SIL i-DELTA. The remaining courses may be taken through these academic institutions by means of distance education. Pan Africa Christian University (PACU) has also agreed for their translation modules to be offered through i-DELTA. Remaining courses with PAC would require at least two more years of residential study.

You should plan to complete the translation modules in SIL iDELTA. You may complete the Biblical Studies portion of your training at PACU for approximately 2 years full-time. You may do the Biblical Studies before or after you SIL iDELTA training. For costs and admission requirements, see their website: www.pacuniversity.ac.ke.

Distance education allows students to take modules while staying in their home country. Modules may be offered on the Internet or on paper, depending on the need of the student. Modules at UNISA are real time, which means they begin and end at certain times and assignments must be completed by certain deadlines. All students study at the same time. Internet-based modules at SATS are also real time. However, most of the paper-based modules at SATS can begin when the student is ready. Everyone studies at his/her own pace. However, modules MUST be completed within 12 months.

Most likely, yes. UNISA and SATS are both fully accredited in South Africa. PACU is fully accredited in Kenya. Therefore, it is likely that the credits earned through SIL i-DELTA will be accepted by other colleges and universities. However, the final decision rests with the academic institution accepting the credits.

All SIL iDELTA modules will be offered in French. All SATS modules will be offered in French. Unfortunately, the UNISA (and PAC) modules will only be offered in English. However, it is possible for 10 of the 30 courses for the 3-year degree at UNISA to be in the French Department. That would leave 10 modules to be completed in English, if one takes a degree at UNISA.

The minimum qualification for those from Francophone countries is a Bac. Those from non-francophone countries should have a secondary school certificate and have successfully completed one year of university level courses. In addition, you need to provide: * your Original Senior Certificate/ original educational qualifications. * and a Certified copy of ID/ Passport/ Birth Certificate The Bac or Senior School Certificate must be the original AND certified by the Ministry of Education. These certificates should be taken to your sponsor and the sponsor can verify these documents to SIL i-DELTA.

It is possible to provide a sworn affidavit verifying that these documents did exist and why they are no longer available.

If you did not successfully complete the secondary school examination and you are over 23 years of age, then it will be necessary for you to provide proof of identity and a CV (curriculum vitae). You should provide information on all jobs held since secondary school, any courses completed and any grades obtained in courses to provide evidence of why you believe you can complete the iDELTA courses. You should apply using the PreAccess application form. You may then attend the General Training and Assessment Course (GTA) and if you successfully complete the GTA as well as the Academic Course 1, you may be considered for further studies. It will be essential to pass not only the coursework, but also the academic language skills test.

If you are under 23 years of age, you need to work toward completing your secondary school qualifications.

There are no requirements for admission. You are free to sign up for the SIL iDELTA modules. Your life experience qualifies you to take modules without any other paper qualification. It will be necessary to send information about your work experience and any courses you have taken since you left school to provide evidence that you can do university level work. There is a special application form for you to complete, the PreAccess application form.

Yes. You should be able to enter information into a computer and be familiar with programs such as Word. You should also be able to communicate by email. You should have sufficient English or French language skills to do academic work in one of these languages. Translation students should have passed the Introductory Course in Translation Principles or the ICCT course or equivalent and have some successful translation experience.

Each module at UNISA costs approximately $120. Thirty (30) modules are required for a three-year BA. There are some additional costs for registration, postage, etc. You must sign up for at least two modules in each semester.

The best way to get accurate information is to check their website for current costs: www.sats.edu.za There is also a document available with the costs for the current year at this website. You must sign up for at least two modules each semester.

You must complete a SATS module within 12 months. UNISA modules are done in semesters and you must turn in assignments and take examinations as scheduled. UNISA’s academic year is February – November.

If you fail an SIL i-DELTA module, you will not be allowed to continue with the program. You will have to stop your SIL i-DELTA courses until that module is completed successfully.

It is important to arrive ON TIME for each course. The teaching covers a lot of material, so it is a great disadvantage to be late. The director of the course may make allowances up to one week from the start of classes for circumstances beyond the student’s control.

The GTA (4 weeks) will cost approximately $300 - $500 including room, board and tuition. The Academic Courses (8 weeks) will cost approximately $600 - $1,000. For students sponsored by Wycliffe Organizations or through affiliation with SIL, scholarships and travel grants (to cover international travel) are available if the entity does not yet have a comprehensive plan in place to cover these expenses.