Breaking the Silence – artistic forms of communicating and expressing oneself. Erasmus Project

Project Title

Breaking the Silence – artistic forms of communicating and expressing oneself.

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for Schools Only

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2017

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: ICT – new technologies – digital competences; Disabilities – special needs; Creativity and culture

Project Summary

The “Breaking the Silence” project was created for thr Deaf students comunicating with natural sign language. It gave the opportunity for the Deaf and hard of hearing students to integrate and build cultural unity with other students with the same dysfunction. The innovation of the project was to build an international community of people communicating with non-verbal communication methods for students who create and receive art, draw on international models in various areas of it, and use artistic means of expression to break down communication barriers. The project strengthened the Deaf’s sense of identity as a separate language group producing their own culture.
The main objecives of the project, i.e. the use of artistic forms to develop communication, express emotions and build self-esteem, and learn about the Deaf art and culture have been achieved by implementing specific objectives (learning and improving techniques of artistic expression, learning about culture and customs of partner countries, developing creativity, building sense of belonging to the international Deaf community). The project contributed to improving the quality of school work and the effectiveness of teachers, as well as to the implementation of new practices and innovative solutions in working with a deaf student.
International groups of students taking part in mobility were under constant multi-faceted protection by surdopedagogist who, thanks to total communication, supported their participation in all project activities. In addition to all participants directly involved in the implementation of the project, also about 2,000 people who did not receive funding, (among others): the school community, representatives of cultural institutions working for the Deaf, representatives of local authorities, universities and integration schools benefited from it.
During each of the five short-term meetings, students expressed their thoughts and emotions through art. By learning new techniques of artistic expression, techniques of working with sign language and expressing poetry through pantomime, facial expressions, movements, gestures, music, dance and body language, they built a sense of belonging to the Deaf culture. They learned how to express emotions through the art of photography, while also enriching the experience with new contacts with peers and new forms of non-verbal communication, the ability to cope with new situations, develop creativity and shape attitudes conducive to total communication, which is extremely important from the point of view of the hermetic environment of the Deaf . Project participants also learned how to use sign language as an artistic tool to express themselves in visual art, implement their own artistic exploration and reflection, expression, and discover the coexistence of different cultural values. Direct contact with Deaf artists influenced on he students’ building positive role models and authorities.
It allowed participants to understand that, just like hearing people, they can realize their passions and abilities, succeed in this field.
Owing to good partnership cooperation, quick reactions and systematic evaluation, the project went according to the schedule and allowed to achieve the intended objectives.
The partners showed full commitment to the implementation of assigned tasks and project obligations. The flow of information and ongoing monitoring of the implementation of tasks was possible due to constant systematic communication with partners.
Two meetings of the coordinators allowed for a precise division of tasks and responsibilities, detailed planning of short-term meetings, project activities as well as development of thorough evaluation of each meeting and planning further cooperation both on project platforms and in subsequent editions of the Erasmus + program.
The project has had a huge impact on the participants and the institutions involved in it and has achieved the most important priorities. The project dissemination activities were directed to pupils and teachers from other schools, parents, students and lecturers from universities, culture institutions and institutions dealing with Deaf matters. Due to the widespread availability of materials illustrating the results of the project, the project has aroused interest among specialists as well as people who do not know the specifics of working with students with hearing impairments. Project activities assumed a large autonomy of students who took over the burden of project activities. This confirmed the rightness to take further actions using similar methods. The success of the project resulted in the decision to continue certain activities, e.g. further cooperation with partners, popularization of the project, strengthening and deepening the effects obtained during the implementation of the project.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 131700,36 Eur

Project Coordinator

Specjalny Osrodek Szkolno-Wychowawczy nr 4 & Country: PL

Project Partners

• Von-Lerchenfeld-Schule Bamberg, Privates Förderzentrum Förderschwerpunkt Hören des Katholischen Bildungszentrums
• Special Elementary School for the Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing of Likovrisi-Pefki
• Scoala Gimnaziala Speciala pentru Surzi, nr. 1
• Zavod za gluhe in naglusne Ljubljana