Seminar for Language and Culture - About us
We offer courses for those whose daily work requires them to cross linguistic and cultural boundaries, whether at home or abroad.
These courses are mostly taught during the summer months. The language of instruction is German. In addition, ssk offers a few courses taught in English, such as Principles of Language Survey and Advanced Grammar. These courses are components of SIL’s more advanced course offerings (see below).
The courses are designed for:
- linguists and Bible translators preparing to work with languages that have never been analysed or do not have an orthography
- Christian workers who need to learn a foreign language for cross-cultural ministry
- others who want to learn a language for professional or private purposes
- volunteers who want to work with refugees or immigrants
Our expertise lies in:
- imparting methods for effective language-learning and tools for analysing unwritten languages
- training qualified workers to participate in literacy and Bible translation programmes
- developing awareness and understanding of foreign cultures
Training and networking
ssk is part of SIL International’s worldwide training programme.
The basic courses offered at ssk lay the foundation for advanced study at other training centres recognized by SIL International, such as the School of Language and Scripture (SLS) at Moorlands College in the UK. The advanced courses prepare students to work in the field of language development and can be taken as part of an MA programme. Subjects offered include community engagement, linguistic analysis, literacy and Scripture engagement.