SWING CAMPUS: Promoting Inclusion through Sign Language
What is SWING CAMPUS?
SWING CAMPUS (Project number: 2024-1-DE01-KA220-HED-000254647) is an Erasmus+ project launched in December 2024. It aims to make higher education more inclusive by integrating sign language into teacher training programmes.
Coordinated by the Competence Center Education at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), and in collaboration with partner institutions from Austria (University of Klagenfurt), Italy (CEIPES), Spain (CETEM), and Belgium (European Union of the Deaf), the project seeks to equip future teachers with basic sign language skills. This will enable them to communicate more effectively with deaf and hard-of-hearing pupils and support their active participation in the classroom.
SWING CAMPUS builds on the success of previous projects, SWING and SWING 2.0, which developed video-based specialist dictionaries and training materials to introduce sign language in various professional fields. The current focus is on higher education (teacher training) with a view to future school-based application.
Current Status: Research Phase (WP2)
As of August 2025, we are in the research phase (Work Package 2). The goal is to develop five thematic reports identifying key classroom vocabulary across different subject areas (general school vocabulary, mathematics & science, language teaching, physical education, and social studies such as politics, ethics, philosophy, and civics). These reports will form the basis for the development of multilingual video dictionaries and digital training tools.
Data collection is being carried out in close collaboration with teachers, students, sign language interpreters, and representatives of the deaf community. Methods include::
- Desk research on classroom vocabulary
- Simulations of typical teaching situations
- Interviews
- Stakeholder roundtables
- National and international workshops
The results of WP2 will be published in early 2026 and will directly inform the development of digital learning materials.
What’s Next?
Following the research phase, SWING CAMPUS will move into the development and implementation stages:
- WP3: Creation of multilingual video dictionaries for five school-related subject areas – in five sign languages (DGS, LSE, LIS, ÖGS, International Sign) and four spoken languages (German, English, Spanish, Italian).
- WP4: Development of an innovative training programme with digital learning paths, interactive videos, and scenario-based simulations for teacher trainees in the above-mentioned sign and spoken languages, followed by piloting, evaluation, and international dissemination of results.
These measures aim not only to strengthen teachers’ communication skills but also to promote the recognition and visibility of sign language in education over the long term.
Let’s Connect!
SWING CAMPUS stands for inclusion, multilingualism, and digital innovation – key themes in adult education. Through this post, we invite exchange, share insights into our work, and welcome collaboration with similar initiatives.
Contact: Evelyn.Schlenk@fau.de
Project website: https://www.swing.infoproject.eu
