European Multilateral Comenius Project “No Trees Without Roots” 2013-2015

1. European Multilateral Comenius Project “No Trees Without Roots” 2013-2015 Features of English Study in the Romanian Education System This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This communication reflects the views only of the author, and theCommission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of theinformation contained therein.

2. The Structure of the Romanian Education System • A. Pre-university Education: • Preschool education – kindergarten – average age: from 3 to 5 years old. • Primary education: 1st – 4th grades – average age: from 6 to 10 years old. • Secondary education: 5th – 8th grades – average age: from 11 to 14 years old. • High school education: 9th – 12th grades – average age: from 15 to 18 years old. • Post – high school education. • University Education

3. Romanian education is: • free of charge and compulsory up to the age of 16 (10th grade); • free of charge, but optional, up to the age 18/19 (the graduation of high school)

4. Foreign Languages Study in Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary School: • It starts as an optional activity in kindergarten; • English is usually chosen by parents; • In the preparatory, 1st and 2nd grades – one modern language is studied (especially English) - 1h/week; • In the 3rd and 4th grades - one modern language is studied (especially English) - 2h/week; • In the 5th and 8th grades - two modern languages are studied (especially English as L1 and French or German as L2) - 2h/week for each modern language; • There are special groups of secondary students that study English intensively – 4h/week.

5. Foreign languages study in high school: • two modern languages are studied (especially English as L1 and French, German or Spanish as L2) – minimum 2h/week for each modern language; • special intensive English classes – 4h/week- divided in level groups; • bilingual classes – 5h/week (study of English language) + 1h/week to study the Geography (9th grade), the History (10th grade), aspects of the British Culture and Civilization (11th and 12th grades)

6. IV. Characteristics of Studying English • Systematic connection of the English Curriculum to the European Portfolio, respectively the Linguistic Passport. • Section C from the Baccalaureate - evaluates all the four communication skills in English: listening, speaking, reading, writing; • The highest level the can be achieved is B2; • The students who have Cambridge certificates pass this language test without the examination; • Cambridge tests – many options in the pre-university education - are organized by British Council or by special certified schools; • The Cambridge certificates are internationally recognized.

7. The general objectives of studying English, with degrees of complexity and difficulty according to different grades, aim at: 1. The development of listening skills. 2. The development of speaking skills. 3. The development of reading skill. 4. The development of writing skills. 5. The development of interest for studying English and for acquiring knowledge about Anglo – Saxon civilization.

8. The general objectives of studying English, with degrees of complexity and difficulty according to different grades, aim at: • The development of listening skills. 2. The development of speaking skills. 3. The development of reading skill. 4. The development of writing skills. 5. The development of interest for studying English and for acquiring knowledge about Anglo – Saxon civilization.

9. VII. Learning contents – grouped into general themes: • Child about himself – personal universe and interests; • Family; • School universe – school objects, school subjects; • Child and people around him – environment; • Fantastic world – characters from cartoons, stories, movies; • Culture and civilization – habits and traditions; • Means of communication and information in the modern society: mass-media, internet, etc.

10. VIII. Types of learning activities: • Multiple choice exercises; • True/False sentences; • Yes/No questions; • Fill-in exercises; • Dialogues; • Role play; • Story telling; • Project activities, etc.

11. IX. Teachers’ personal development • Language and methodology courses/workshops organized by the British Council and other institutions; • Teachers’ semestrialmeetings – discussions on pre-established topics, experience exchanges, examples of good practice.

12. X. Activities from our school... • “Pro English” Club: weekly meetings where students get the chance to communicate in English, practice grammar, do project activities; • Regular activities that mark events from the Anglo – Saxon culture: Halloween, Guy Fawkes, etc. • Music performances in English; • Traditional English contests in which our students get involved: “English My Love”, “Kangaroo Linguist”, etc. • Extracurricular activities: visits to British Council, “Different School” Week, International Summer English Camp,