Foreign language or not, activities within the project 'Reverse Inclusion in Society'

October 18, 2021

Jaanika Palm

Did you know that Estonian Sign Language has been recognized in the Language Act of the Republic of Estonia since March 1, 2007? The first paragraph of § 5 of the Language Act (2019) states: 'Any language other than Estonian and Estonian Sign Language is a foreign language.'

Based on this, and considering that the goal of the Tartu Youth Work Centre is maximum accessibility for all young people, during the implementation of the project "Reverse Inclusion in Society," we aim to introduce the Estonian sign language, used as a second official recognized state language, and more broadly the community of people who communicate in this language, to a wider audience (young people, and through them, parents; people working with young people). A sub-goal was to increase societal tolerance between different communities by raising awareness of the sign language community. The project is carried out in cooperation with the Estonian Sign Language Society (EVS) and is funded by the Ministry of Education and Research within the framework of the "For Youth 2021" project competition.

The project was preceded by discussions with young people, youth workers, and EVS, and we found that Estonian sign language education, or more broadly, the introduction of the culture of sign language users, has been insufficient so far. Furthermore, there has been no integration of young people (hearing and sign language users). The Tartu Youth Work Centre has been working on this for some time and aims to be an example for other institutions/schools.

First, the public will be informed through school students who participate in Estonian sign language lessons or information sessions via schools. For example, until November, information sessions on Estonian sign language and culture will be held every Monday morning and sometimes on other days at Ilmatsalu Basic School. Jaan Poska Gymnasium even offers an Estonian sign language course.
The trainers are native Estonian sign language users. Therefore, we also have sign language interpreters, but only at the beginning and during the first few lessons. Further instruction will be solely in Estonian sign language. Through the young people from these schools, knowledge of Estonian sign language will also spread to a wider circle – friends, parents, acquaintances.

To ensure a safe environment for young people in youth centers, we also train youth workers to acquire basic Estonian sign language skills, so that communication with young people is not hindered by a lack of language proficiency. Every Tuesday, youth workers gather for a lesson to acquire knowledge and skills in Estonian sign language.
Since a sign language-speaking youth worker also works at the Lille youth center, continuous sign language learning also takes place at the youth center through activities and social media. As an example, previous activities on Car-Free Avenue can be mentioned.

Cooperation with EVS, youth centers, and schools will be continuous and sustainable. This will raise public awareness of the existence and activities of the Estonian sign language community.
The project will foster empathy and tolerance among young people, as well as among professionals working with youth. The impact of the project is planned to be lasting, meaning it will not end with the project's completion.

Questions about the project:
Jaanika Palm
Head of Ilmatsalu Youth Center and Project Coordinator
jaanika.palm@raad.tartu.ee
+372 58 803 271

news:

The Tartu Work Brigade is opening its anniversary exhibition today at the Tartu City Museum!

Today, April 17 at 4 p.m., the Tartu Youth Work Brigade’s 30th anniversary exhibition will open in the courtyard of the Tartu City Museum, bringing together brigade members from different generations and telling the story of how young people’s work habits have evolved over three decades. For many young people aged 13–19, the Tartu Youth Work Brigade has been their first exposure to working life. Over the course of thirty years, thousands of young people from Tartu have participated in the brigade,

Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion — Our German Learning Mobility Program

Diversity, equity, and inclusion in youth work mean creating a safe and supportive environment where differences are not only acknowledged but also genuinely valued and encouraged. This means ensuring equal access, active participation, and a sense of belonging for all young people. This approach goes beyond merely taking into account differences in origin, gender, abilities, or orientation; it is aimed at removing barriers, expanding opportunities for marginalized and minority groups, and ensuring their full inclusion in all activities. Inclusion

For Your Information: Sleep as a Superpower

With the arrival of spring—accompanied by birdsong and the awakening of nature—comes a period that is stressful and hectic for so many young people and adults alike. Whether it’s due to graduations, the final stages of various projects, or simply the anticipation of summer. During this time, it’s important to take care of your health and maintain your routines, one of the most important of which is a healthy sleep routine

Connected internationally! A week in Latvia—fun, interesting, and memorable!

Eight young people from the Tartu Youth Work Center had the amazing opportunity to take part in the “Toolbox for Tomorrow” youth exchange in Latvia, which focused on digital tools, environmental development, design, and storytelling. Over 40 young people from Estonia, Latvia, Turkey, Italy, and Hungary took part in the youth exchange. On March 7, we set off with the group from Tartu train station toward Valmiera,

The Erasmus+ project gave young people the opportunity to organize their own esports event

At the end of February, the A. Le Coq Sport Sports Center was filled with e-sports enthusiasts for the Game in Tartu 2026 festival, dedicated to gaming culture. Over the course of two days, nearly 500 people from across Estonia visited the event; 20 organizations showcased their activities; and more than 50 organizers and volunteers contributed to the festival’s success. As part of Game in Tartu 2026, there was

The Tartu Youth Work Brigade is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a new visual identity

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Tartu Youth Work Brigade. This is a significant milestone that demonstrates Tartu’s consistent commitment to providing young people with their first work experiences, fostering their independence, and developing their social skills. To mark the anniversary, the work camp has also received a new visual identity that uses vibrant colors to reflect the energy of young people and brings together symbols that are important to the camp participants.

School Break City Camp – One Day, One Place, Lots of Fun!

We put together a varied program for every school break, but City Camp Day is the most special day of the entire break. On this day, Tartu’s youth gather at a single youth center. While all five centers are usually open, during City Camp, activities take place in just one location. This gives young people the chance to visit a place they might not otherwise go to on a daily basis