30+ practical activities, 25 videos and resources for teachers, trainers and adult educators
How can we support participation when words are not enough?
In many classrooms, training rooms and community groups, verbal communication is not always the easiest way for everyone to take part. Some learners may feel shy, some may not speak the language confidently, some may need more time to trust the group, and others may feel disconnected from traditional learning methods.
This is why creative non-verbal methods can be useful for educators, trainers, facilitators and social workers working with diverse groups.
Within the Erasmus+ KA2 project “Promoting creative non-verbal techniques to foster social inclusion and group cohesion”, Eduplus Association (and Tenerife Courses consortium) in Spain and On Continue Association in France developed a free online course with practical activities, video tutorials and educational resources.
The course is available here:
Why non-verbal methods matter in adult education
Non-verbal methods use movement, rhythm, body language, visual expression, creativity, senses and group dynamics to support participation and connection.
They can help educators create learning spaces where participants can take part beyond words. This is especially relevant in multilingual groups, adult education, migrant education, social inclusion projects, community learning, language learning and non-formal education.
These methods can be used to:
- break the ice in a new group
- support trust and cooperation
- encourage active participation
- reduce language barriers
- create a safer and more relaxed learning atmosphere
- strengthen group cohesion
- help learners feel more confident and included
The aim is not to replace verbal communication, but to open more ways for people to participate, express themselves and connect with others.
From Erasmus+ research to practical activities
The online course is based on the research, mapping and practical experience developed during the Erasmus+ KA2 project.
The partners explored creative non-verbal techniques that can be used with adults in vulnerable situations, migrants, learners with fewer opportunities and diverse groups. The research included the identification and classification of methods that can support inclusion, participation and group cohesion.
The project also included training activities, local workshops and the creation of video materials, so that the methods could be tested, observed and transformed into practical resources for educators.
The result is a free online course that combines theory, methodology and ready-to-use activities.
What you will find in the free online course
The course includes more than 30 practical activities, exercises and ice-breakers that teachers, trainers and facilitators can adapt to their own learning contexts.
It also includes 25 short video tutorials and demonstrations, so users can see how some of the activities work in practice before trying them with their own groups.
The activities are based on:
- movement and embodied learning
- rhythm and sound
- non-verbal communication
- visual and creative expression
- group dynamics
- trust-building activities
- cooperation and reflection
- active and non-formal learning methods
The course can be followed as a complete online learning pathway, but it can also be used as a practical directory of activities whenever educators need new inspiration for a session, workshop or classroom activity.
Access the free online course here:
Available in English, Spanish and French
To make the resources accessible to more educators across Europe, the online course is available in three languages:
- English
- Spanish
- French
This allows teachers, trainers, facilitators and adult educators from different countries to explore the materials and adapt them to their own educational contexts.
Who is this Erasmus+ online course for?
The course was created for professionals who work with groups and want practical tools to support participation, inclusion and group cohesion.
It may be useful for:
- teachers
- adult educators
- trainers and facilitators
- NGO staff
- social workers
- language teachers
- youth workers
- professionals working with migrants
- professionals working with vulnerable groups
- Erasmus+ project coordinators
- educators interested in non-formal education methods
Although the project focused especially on adult education and people with fewer opportunities, many of the activities can also be adapted to school education, VET, youth work and community learning contexts.
About Eduplus Association, Tenerife Courses and On Continue
The project was developed by Eduplus Association in Spain and On Continue in France.
Eduplus Association is a non-profit socio-educational organisation based in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. Eduplus promotes active learning, inclusion, sustainability, culture and citizen participation through local and European projects.
Tenerife Courses is the Erasmus+ training initiative created by Eduplus Association. It organises practical Erasmus+ KA1 training courses in Tenerife for teachers, trainers, adult educators and education staff from across Europe. The courses are based on active learning, non-formal education, outdoor education, game-based learning, embodied learning and creative methods.
On Continue! is a non-profit association based in France. Through its educational platform Kalingua Lab, they promote multilingualism, cultural diversity and innovative approaches to language education. Their mission is to connect languages, cultures and people through teacher training, international cooperation and educational innovation.
Together, the partners created practical resources that can support educators working with diverse groups in different European contexts.
Continue learning with us
If you would like to experience these methods in person in a multicultural environment, you can also join our face-to-face Erasmus+ training course in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain:
Non-verbal methods to promote inclusion and diversity
This course was designed based on the results and experience of this KA2 project and online course. The course can be fully funded through Erasmus+ KA1 Staff Mobility grants.
It is designed for teachers, trainers, facilitators and adult educators who want to practise these activities in person and improve the skills needed to adapt them to their own educational contexts.
Learn more about the Erasmus+ training course in Tenerife here:
https://tenerifecourses.com/blog/courses/non-verbal-methods-social-inclusion/
Access the free Erasmus+ online course
You can access the free online course, videos and resources here:
The course is free and available in English, Spanish and French.
Project information
This course was created by Eduplus Association and On Continue within the Erasmus+ KA2 project “Promoting creative non-verbal techniques to foster social inclusion and group cohesion”.
Project number: KA210-ADU-C2EAAB9A
The European Commission’s support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents, which reflect the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
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