Across Europe, TCNs often work as ad hoc interpreters in highly sensitive settings with little or no training. Despite this dire need for interpreting services, very few programs for training community interpreters have been created in the EU, mainly because 1) the profession of a community interpreter is not clearly defined in many EU countries, and 2) such programs face the ongoing problem of a constantly changing language demand and of the lack of trained teachers for the languages in need. PLOUTOS will open up possibilities for both TCNs, but also civil servants from partner countries, to acquire training in community interpreting, with a special focus on the financial sector. In particular, one of the main aims of this WP is the development of a community interpreting curriculum for amateur interpreters who have already practiced community interpreting, but are not trained by institutions specialised in interpreting training. The programme will partly address the deficit in adequate community interpreting training in the majority of partner countries, and offer some long-lasting guidance since this material will be available online. As a result, beneficiaries will get a very good idea of the necessary skills and competencies required, so that they can better understand the community interpreting process, and be encouraged to pursue ways to further improve their knowledge, skills and competencies. The programme is also expected to empower them and strengthen their confidence in communicating and facilitating communication in the host country and, therefore, enhance their and their community‘s participation and inclusion in the host society and civic life. Furthermore, this WP will set the basis for the implementation of ongoing community interpreting courses.

To θερινό σχολείο θα επικεντρωθεί στη διερεύνηση της κοινωνικής απομόνωσης ως αποτέλεσμα της πανδημίας του κορωνοϊού και της επίδρασής της στο χώρο της εκπαίδευσης, των παραστατικών τεχνών αλλά και των ευάλωτων κοινωνικών ομάδων. Η συγκεκριμένη διερεύνηση άπτεται των αμερικανικών σπουδών αλλά θα έχει και συγκριτολογικό χαρακτήρα όπου αυτό είναι εφικτό.

O Τομέας Αμερικανικής Λογοτεχνίας του Τμήματος Αγγλικής Γλώσσας και Φιλολογίας του ΑΠΘ σε συνεργασία με την Ελληνική Εταιρεία Αμερικανικών Σπουδών (HELAAS), η οποία έχει την έδρα της στο ήδη αναφερόμενο Τμήμα, προγραμματίζει σειρά παρουσιάσεων πάνω σε θέματα που άπτονται της Αμερικανικής Λογοτεχνίας και Πολιτισμού.