New missionaries assigned to the Provo MTC arrive Monday-Wednesday (Couple missionaries on Monday, International arrivals on Tuesday, US & Canada on Wednesday), at which point they begin using their titles of "Elder" (for the young men) and "Sister" (for the young women). During their training, the elders and sisters will spend the majority of their time in class, with breaks for meals, church ser
vices, temple attendance, fitness activities, service projects, and personal preparation time (for laundry, letter writing, etc.). All missionaries are given at least three weeks of training in proselyting methods. This includes lessons on church doctrine and teaching, mission rules, and proper interactions with the people they will serve, teach, and work with in their assigned missions. Missionaries are also encouraged to use their time outside class to actively study Church doctrine and a language if necessary. In many cases, missionaries who already speak the language of their assigned area are sent to their mission after just three weeks. Other missionaries may spend as many as nine additional weeks in language training. The Missionary Training Center language programs encourage a full immersion experience with the motto "SYL" for "Speak Your Language". In some cases, missionaries learning foreign languages go directly to the MTC in the country where they are called to serve. Each MTC is directed by a mission president, just like any of the 345 missions worldwide (this number constantly fluctuates). Classes in the MTC are typically taught by returned (former) missionaries. The missionaries are also assigned to small congregations called branches, which are led by local church members called to serve in the MTC.
