Rangjung Yeshe Institute is pleased to announce the launch of its intensive Translator Training Program. The program is designed to allow a student with no prior knowledge of Tibetan to become an oral translator in 12 months, capable of serving as an interpreter for a Tibetan Buddhist teacher.

As the program is offered to fill a need for oral interpreters in the Tibetan Buddhist world community, graduates of the program commit to spending a minimum of one year following graduation serving as an interpreter for a Tibetan Buddhist teacher or community.

The training offered consists of three educational elements:

1. Rigorous Tibetan language training
2. Practical translation workshops, and
3. Full immersion in a Tibetan living environment.

Classes are taught in both English and Tibetan, and students are expected to translate into English.

Time and Venue

The program is located at Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery in Boudhanath, Nepal, and runs from June 20, 2008 to June 20, 2009.

Course Overview

Classes in the program are a combination of regular RYI language classes and individual translator training classes specifically designed for the Translator Program. Approximate class hours per week are 20-25. The yearly schedule of classes is as follows:

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Dates	Courses Taken	Weekly Hrs.
Jun 23 – Aug 15	Beginning Summer Course	20
	Introduction to Classical Tibetan	3
Aug 16 – 31	Holiday – no classes
Sep 1 – Dec 12	Classical Tibetan 3	3
	Colloquial Tibetan 3	5
	Tibetan Philosophical Discourse 1	5
	Dharma Conversation	5
	Reading Practice	5
Dec 15 – 22	Translation Seminar	10
Dec 23 – Jan 1	Holiday – no classes
Jan 2 – 9	Translation Seminar	10
Jan 12 – Apr 25	Classical Tibetan 4	3
	Colloquial Tibetan 4	5
	Tibetan Philosophical Discourse 2	5
	Dharma Conversation	5
	Translation Practice	5
Apr 26 – May 4	Holiday – no classes
May 5 – 30	Dharma Conversation	10
	Translation Practice	10
Jun 2 – 20	Translate at Seminar	10

Instructors and Staff

The teaching faculty consists of experienced international translators, Tibetan monastic teachers, Tibetan laypeople, and international language instructors. In addition, a Translation Program Manager bears overall responsibility for the program and oversees the progress and well-being of the students.

Entry requirements

The Translator Training Program is intensive and demanding and so only outstanding and highly qualified students will be admitted. At a minimum, students applying to the program should have the following prerequisites:

1. High School diploma
2. Proficiency in English
3. Solid grounding in Buddhist philosophy
4. Excellent language skills, documented by past achievements
5. Excellent academic potential
6. Diligence and eagerness to learn

In addition, the applicant must:

1. Be a practicing Buddhist
2. Be willing to work for at least one year following graduation as an interpreter for the recommending teacher or for RYI
3. Be willing to live with a Tibetan family for the duration of the program

As the program assumes no prior study of Tibetan, it is not considered an advantage in the application process to have prior knowledge of Tibetan. Experience with living in South Asia is, however, considered advantageous.

Due to the intensive nature of the program, a maximum of three students for program year 2008-2009 will be accepted.

Tibetan Family

During the program students live with a Tibetan family. RYI will place students with responsible families committed to creating an environment conducive for learning and for assimilating Tibetan.

Agreement of Service

Following successful completion of the program, for a minimum of one year, students will either return to their sangha to fill a full-time position as an interpreter or continue at RYI as an interpreter.

For students who choose to return to their sangha to serve as an interpreter, the sangha must provide documentation at the time of application of a willingness and ability to financially support the interpreter and a resident Tibetan teacher for a minimum of one year.

Students who elect to serve at RYI for a year following graduation will be offered one of two ways to further their training:

1. Serving as an oral interpreter at RYI and continue the training to become a translator of written Tibetan
2. Serving as an oral interpreter at one of the international dharma centers of Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery

Decisions regarding these two options will be made by RYI, in close consultation with the student, towards the completion of the program. Students continuing their training at RYI will be given a one-year contract that includes a stipend to cover basic living expenses. RYI does, however, reserve the right not to offer this additional year of training. In such cases RYI will support the student in securing an interpreter position elsewhere to the best of its ability.

Tuition

The Translator Training Program is intended as a service to the Buddhist community through increasing the number of skilled interpreters for Buddhist teachers from the Tibetan tradition. Reflecting the intensive and comprehensive nature of the program, tuition has been set at a level that, while somewhat higher than other courses, continues to reflect the real costs of running the program.

Unique features of the program include:

1. Course-intake limited to three students to ensure rapid progress
2. 10 to 15 hours of one-on-one instruction per week
3. Room and board included for the full year
4. All course materials included
5. All registration fees and visa fees included
6. A full-time Translator Program Manager to support students and monitor progress

Please note that student bursaries may be available to students requiring financial support.

Tuition Overview

Fee Basis	Per Trimester (4 months)
With RYI Scholarship	US$ 4,000
Regular Tuition	US$ 6,500

Application

To apply to the Translator Training Program, go the Application Section.

Deadline for applications are May 15. However, the admission process is continuous and the program may fill prior to the deadline.

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