Sign for Youth Work: International Sign training for youth workers

Aims & objectives

The training aims to bring together youth workers, youth leaders and trainers, both new and experienced, who are already working internationally using International Sign or who are interested in exploring the possibility of doing so in the future. It will be a place to connect, discuss what can be done to support new and experienced workers, and raise awareness of youth work with Deaf audiences. Secondly, we also want to support deaf young workers, deaf youth workers and deaf trainers who have, or would like to have, knowledge and competence in international sign language to explore and gain knowledge of the Erasmus+ youth field for future use.

Target group & international/intercultural composition of the group & team

Twenty-seven youth workers (deaf and hearing) from Italy, Poland, Greece, Romania, Czech Republic, Lithuania and France, two trainers (one deaf and one hearing) from Italy and France, two facilitators (one deaf and one hearing) and three sign language interpreters from Italy took part in this training course.

Training methods used & main activities

We will use inquiry, a technique of self-exploration called "who is in", mindfulness, mindfulness practices for self-observation, while group sharing, brainstorming, world cafes and other forms of sharing will support the learning of methodologies for working with young people in general and with Deaf young people. We will also arrange visits to places that work with both Deaf and international youth work.

Outcomes of the activity

The outcomes and impacts we expect from our project are
1) Youth workers (D/deaf and hearing) competent in international sign language.
2) Youth Workers (D/deaf and hearing) with the specific vocabulary for European youth mobility projects under the Erasmus+ Youth programme.
3) Youth workers (D/deaf and hearing) able to manage all phases of an international project in International Sign.
4) Youth Workers (D/deaf and hearing) with confidence in using International Sign to develop and implement European Youth Mobility Projects under Erasmus+ Youth.
5) Youth Workers (D/deaf and hearing) who are confident in using International Sign to develop European projects under the Erasmus+ Youth programme, in particular Key Action 1.
6) The creation of the partnership between the participating countries.

Your tasks and responsibilities within the team

I was one of the faciliatator during the full week.

I worked on this training for 6 days days as a full time trainer.

Testimonial of the reference person

Andre was the ideator of this training course and he managed to facilitate it with other trainers from the partnership.