FAQ

Q: How can I register for ILAC? 

A: You can register here.

Q: I would like to add or change something in my registration. How can I do that? 

A: You can edit details in your registration form by clicking on the link in the email you have got upon registration. If you can't find that email you can get this link to your registration form by entering your email address here.

Q: Isn't ILAC mainly for people from the Language Assessment, Sociolinguistics and Language Program domains? How would people outside of these two domains, e.g. Literacy & Education, Scripture Engagement, etc., benefit from attending?

A: The topic of making good decisions in Language Programs is relevant for all domains and levels of expertise. At ILAC we want to look beyond Vision 2025 from the perspective of different partners and domains of expertise. Both leaders and practitioners will come together to reflect on different aspects of the question of how we can support communities in making good decisions in their language programs and to learn from one another both within and across domains and organisations. 

Q: I see that ILAC features a Pike Center Symposium. Is it only for very academically-minded people or leaders? What about discussing practical applications?

A: At ILAC we want to combine the academic with the practical. There will be paper presentations and discussions about identifying needs and strategies that work. But there will also be time for training (e.g. MAT) and learning new skills and tools (e.g. during the domain tracks). After ILAC there is the opportunity to stay on for an Outcome Harvesting Workshop, a Language & Identity Journey Training or a writers retreat. The conference is also a great opportunity to network with others from around the world and across domains.

Q: Do I need to add an extra day to my registration if I leave the next day after ILAC (or one of the events) ends? 

A: No. If you leave on the day after one of the events you are covered for accommodation on that last day up until breakfast the next morning/ the morning after ILAC or the event. 

Q: Who will my roommate be?

A: Please feel free to mention someone by name on your registration form as your suggested roommate. If you would like to share a room but don’t list anyone, our logistics team will assign you a roommate. Watch for more information from us as it gets closer to the event.

Q: Is funding available to participate in ILAC?

A: There is no large, central pot of funds to spread around for everyone to participate in the event. We encourage you to first look into your normal funding sources (your OU or organisation, personal funding, etc). If funding remains a challenge, please write an email to Bernadette Mitterhofer (bernadette_mitterhofer@sil.org). Nothing can be guaranteed at this point, but at least we can see if we can help. 

Q: How do I pay for the hotel and registration? 

A: If it is at all possible to pay via the SIL or Wycliffe internal system, please use that. But If that is not possible at all, let us know in the registration form and we will give you instructions.

Q: My spouse (or kids or other family members) also want to come but won't attend ILAC. Can they join us for tea/coffee breaks & lunches? How do I pay for them? Are there some ways they can help out with ILAC?

A: Just register for yourself, choose the shared room, mention your spouse's name as roommate, and then under "Is there anything else we need to know about your registration?" (second to last question) write that your spouse will come as a non-participant.  Let us know if he/she will join the conference group in their meals (lunch buffet and morning and afternoon tea breaks with snacks) on conference days. (See the Food and lodging costs' worksheet.)  Please also mention which account to charge for your spouse’s costs.

If they want to help out with ILAC, let us know when or where they would/could like to contribute.

Q: How do I get cash to pay for things, e.g. transportation, food, etc?

A: The easiest way is to get cash out when you first arrive. Look for available ATMs or Money Exchange places (for changing USD) at the airport to have some money exchanged before leaving the airport. There are also places in Georgetown if you need more cash later. Please, be aware that Sep 16 and 17 are local holidays so banks and money exchange places will be closed.

Q: Will I need to get out Malaysian cash? How do I do that? How much money will I need?

A: You may be able to pay for some things with a credit card, but for street food, taxis or riding the bus, it will be more convenient to have some Malaysian cash on hand. You can take out cash from an ATM (either at the airport or near the hotel) or by using a money exchange. You will probably want to have an average of about 35 RM for each evening meal and lunches for the weekend. The taxi to/from the airport will be about 50 RM one way. (Exchange rates can be found here.)

Q: What will the agenda be like during ILAC?

A: There will be worship, plenary (all combined) sessions, a Pike Symposium, and split (breakout) sessions by topics of interest / Communities of Practice (CoP) tracks. Up to 5 topics will be offered simultaneously during each split session. You can choose which topic is of greatest interest to you during each split session, irrespective of your CoP. Here you can see what it looked like last time.

Q: Who will be coming?

A: We anticipate 150+ participants from around the world, involved in leadership,  language assessment (survey), sociolinguistics, language programs, Scripture engagement, literacy and education, language information, and other CoPs as well.

Q: ILAC starts on Wednesday, 18 Sep, and ends on Wednesday, 25 Sep. Will it go right through the weekend?

A: No, the weekend (21-22 Sep) will be free time where you can do some sightseeing and get some rest. This also creates space to connect with people and get to know each other. These connections are an important outcome of ILAC as they promote flourishing in community, strengthening the relationships and work as each CoP continues to connect remotely and support each other online. On Saturday, there will be opportunities for you to join a group taking a day trip to the beach or other sightseeing spots. On Sunday, there will be opportunities for worship and fellowship together.

Q: Is there a call for papers for the ILAC theme? 

A: There are a good number of possible papers already, and possibly more coming from those papers not accepted for the Pike Symposium. Invitations will be made (rather than a general call for papers) for select papers on the ILAC theme. 

Q: Do I have to have a completed draft of a paper to take part in the Writers Retreat after ILAC? 

A: No. The Writers Retreat is an informal time to work on a paper, survey report, or article. Power and internet will be available 24 hours a day. And you can go out for great food (Penang is famous for cuisine) with others doing the same thing! Experienced writers will be on hand to answer your questions (about writing, publishing, and/or food) and participants can share what they are working on with each other. 

Q: Do I have to come to ILAC in order to also go to the Outcome Harvesting workshop, Language & Identity Journey training, or the Writers Retreat? 

A: You would miss a great conference, but you can come for the training/workshop without attending ILAC. However, ILAC participants will be considered first in the case of too many applications. Also, you will still need to pay the registration fee.

Q: Are there any prerequisites for going to the Outcome Harvesting workshop?

A: There are no classes, workshops or training you need to have completed. But participants need to have active engagement and knowledge about a specific project and the people involved and influenced by this project, so participants can draw on their own observations and own experiences, and work with real data. We strongly recommend (based on previous participant experiences) doing this with at least one other person from your project, to help bring different perspectives, and help you reflect together. Further questions: phil_smith@sil.org  

Q: Are there any prerequisites for going to the Language & Identity Journey training?

A: No. But it would be helpful to have good knowledge about a specific language community as activities will draw on some of the participants' observations and own experiences. Further questions: dave_eberhard@sil.org  

Q: Do I have to attend the CoP meetings between ILAC and the post-ILAC events (Outcome Harvesting workshop, Language & Identity Journey training, or the Writers Retreat)? 

A: No, you don't have to attend the CoP meetings. CoP meetings are opportunities for fellowship and prayer, interaction about ILAC outcomes, and planning continued development as a CoP.  

Q: Where will ILAC be held?

A: ILAC-8 events and accommodation will be at the Cititel Penang Hotel in Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia. (Google Map Link) Unlike last time, this venue is near the city centre instead of the beach front.

Q: Do I need to apply for a visa to enter Malaysia?

A: If you have a passport from these countries, you don’t need to apply for a visa; you will just get a 30- or 90-day stamp upon arrival. However, if you have a passport from the following countries, you will need to apply ahead of time for a tourist e-visa. See more details here and apply for the e-visa here.

Regardless of whether or not you need to apply for a visa, please make sure that you still have at least 6 months left before your passport expires!

Countries that are required to apply for a visa to enter Malaysia (list of countries involved):

Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, China, Colombia, Congo Democratic Republic, Congo Republic, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Hong Kong (C.I/D.I), India, Ivory Coast, Kosovo, Liberia, Mali, Montenegro, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Niger, Pakistan, Rwanda, Serbia, Sri Lanka

SIL and the hotel will provide letters showing proof of participation and accommodation, which will be required for the visa application. Please fill in this form ASAP with your details necessary for writing an invitation letter. 

In your visa application choose "Business" for Purpose of stay and for Type of passport: "international".

Q: What documents do I need to show to enter Malaysia?

A: Within 3 days prior to arriving in Malaysia, all travellers are required to submit a Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online to Malaysia immigration!

Also be ready to show the following documents upon arrival in Malaysia entry check- points:

• Valid passport / travel document. (Please make sure that you still have at least 6 months left before your passport expires!)

• For those requiring a Visa: valid eVISA printout (eVISA Note).

• Boarding pass.

• Sufficient funds (Cash / Traveler’s Cheque / Debit or Credit Cards / e-Wallets recognized by Malaysian Government) to cover your expenses during your stay in Malaysia.

• Confirmed returned flight ticket.

• Proof of accommodation.

• Other supporting documents.

Q: Do I need a yellow fever certificate to enter Malaysia?

A: If your passport is from the following countries or if you are traveling from these countries (including >12-hour airport transits or layovers) , yes, you need to show a yellow fever certificate when you enter Malaysia:

Angola, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Djibouti, Ecuador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, Rwanda, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sri Lanka, St Kitts & Nevis, Suriname, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Venezuela, Zaire, Zambia

Q: How will I get from the airport to the hotel? Will the hotel send a shuttle to pick me up?

A: Unfortunately the hotel does not have a shuttle service, so you will need to get a taxi. Our logistics team will be working to arrange taxis for groups of people who are arriving at similar times. Watch for more information from us as it gets closer to ILAC (e.g. if there is an app you can use, etc.)

Q: I have dietary restrictions. What will the meals be like?

A: Breakfast, tea/coffee breaks, and lunch will be at the hotel. The hotel is very aware of dietary restrictions and will accommodate each person’s needs as much as possible. Please, indicate your dietary needs in your registration or feel free to talk with our logistics team and/or the hotel staff directly about your specific dietary needs. For the evening meal, you will be on your own to enjoy Penang’s delicious and plentiful food options that are a short walk away from the hotel. 

Q: What should I pack to bring to ILAC?

A: Dress code is business casual. It will be hot in Penang, but you might want a jacket/sweater for the AC in the meeting rooms. If you’d like to go to the beach on the weekend, please bring a modest swimsuit, sunscreen, & towel. You might also need to bring power plug adapters. In Malaysia, power plugs and sockets (outlets) of type G are used with a standard voltage of 240 V at a frequency of 50 Hz. Check here to see if you need an adapter (change the country of origin to your country),

Q: How do I handle laundry? What is the cost?

A: There is a laundry service available at the hotel or in small shops close to the hotel (5 min walk). (Google map link)

Q: Will I need to get out Malaysian cash? How do I do that? How much money will I need?

A: You may be able to pay for some things with a credit card, but for street food, taxis or riding the bus, it will be more convenient to have some Malaysian cash on hand. You can take out cash from an ATM (either at the airport or near the hotel) or by using a money exchange. You will probably want to have an average of about 35 RM for each evening meal and lunches for the weekend. The taxi to/from the airport will be about 50 RM one way. (Exchange rates can be found here.)

Q: What can I do in the evenings? What’s close enough to the hotel to walk to?

A: There are quite a few places within walking distance of the hotel. Notably: street food vendors, night markets, modern shopping malls, a variety of museums…. We will send out more information on logistics and fun stuff closer to ILAC.

Q: Is there a pool at the hotel?

A: Yes, the hotel has a small indoor pool. See more details here.

Q: Is the hotel right on the beach?

A: No, unfortunately not. The seaside is relatively close (10 min walk), but if you want to swim in the sea, you’ll have to take a short bus or taxi ride to the beach.

Q: Is it safe for me to walk by myself after dark?

A: Penang is generally considered safe for visitors and tourists, but it is always good to practise common sense and awareness. We recommend going in pairs or groups as we want to ensure that no one gets lost or is left on their own. 

Q: Will I be able to get around on my own OK using English?

A: Yes, most people will know enough English to communicate.

Q: Who do I contact for more information or for other questions?

A: Please contact Bernadette Mitterhofer (bernadette_mitterhofer@sil.org) or Carey Statezni  (carey_statezni@sil.org) for any other questions you may have.

Q: How can I volunteer to help out?

A: Our logistics team will be sending out a volunteer sign-up closer to ILAC. Be watching for it! Or you can also let us know of your desire to volunteer by emailing: Bernadette Mitterhofer (bernadette_mitterhofer@sil.org) or Carey Statezni (carey_statezni@sil.org). Thank you so much!!!