The Exciting Experience of a Romanian EFL Teacher in the US!
The presentation will focus on:
the educational system in Romania
EFL in the Romanian curriculum
experience as a teacher in Romania and in the US
My Resume: in short
EFL in Romania 4 years high school middle school teacher tutor
ESLone yearmiddle school
My School in Romania
School System in RomaniaHigh School
grades 9-1220-30 Ss/class
One teacher for each subject
Middle Schoolgrades 5-8
20-35 Ss/classOne teacher for each subject
Elementary grades 1-4
16-30 Ss/classOne teacher for all subjects, except for Foreign Languages
Classes
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
classes/day
Elem
Middle
High
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
minutes/class
Elem
Middle
High
Number Foreign Language Classes
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
4.5
5
Pre-K Element. Middle High
Standard
Honors
Number of students/group
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
Elem Middle High
Honors
Standard
Teaching Load - schedule
18 classes/week
One day- off for training purposes
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
M T W T F
Teacher1
Teacher2
Teacher3
Teacher’s schedule
Any combinationof classes
grades: 1-12
Elementary Middle School High School
Foreign Language Requirements
A language – a “must”
Exam in a language
to graduate high school.
2nd language introduced in 6th grade.
1st language introduced in 2nd grade.
(pre-K, 1st grade - parents’ request)
Popular Foreign Languages
Top 3
Do you speak English?
Parlez-vous Francais?
Sprechen Sie Deutsch?
Teachers’ ResponsibilitiesTeachers’
Responsibilities
Create a pacing guide for
each classMeet the standards
Prepare Ss for High School
Graduation Exam.
Planning period
home/school
The Curriculum EFL
The standard course of study the same for every one who is at the same level.
The objectives may differ (number of classes/week).
Standard Course of Study - EFL
Understand
a written
text/message.
Express
in writing.
Developawareness about the Anglo-Saxon
culture.
Express feelings
and thoughts orally.
Understand oral messages.
Standard Course of
Study
EFL vs ESLObjectives
Social & academic languageUsed immediately
Social languageNot used immediately
EFL vs. ESL Classes
1 or 2 blocks/daySmaller groups
2-3 classes/ week.4-6 classes/week
Large groups
EFL vs. ESLCommunication
•L1 may differ•Communication: English
(only way)•Students emerged in
the language
the same L1easy switch to L1Ss emerged in L1
EFL vs. ESL Textbooks
•focus on LA standard
•literature elements
•focus on understanding &using
social language
• few literature elements
EFL vs. ESL Textbooks
•American spelling, vocabulary,
& pronunciation
•Focus on languageaccuracy and literature
elements.
•Elements of world’s culture &history.
•British textbooks,spelling, vocabulary& pronunciation.
•Focus on language accuracy
•Elements of American &British culture &history
Teaching in Romania & U.S.
My experiences in Romania did not
prepare me at all for:
•Teaching Ss with adifferent L1
•Teaching literature
My Romanian teaching prepared me well for:
•Small groups
•Teaching grammar
•Following pacing guide
Teaching in Romania &U.S.
My experiences in Romania did not
prepare me at all for:
• Using PC Programs
•Walk Ss in single file
•Prepare Ss for exam every year
My Romanian teaching prepared me well for:
•PIG work
•Work with differentlanguage proficiencies
•Using some technology
My students watching a movie
Group work
I anticipate…This experience will make me a better teacher when I go back home because:
Experienced the culture of language I teach
Experienced another school system
Learnt new words/expressions
Used technology
Planned at school
I anticipate…This experience will make me a better teacher when I go back home because:
Taught literature
Taught longer blocks
Taught the same Ss every day
Taught English without using my L1
I anticipate…This experience will make me a better teacher when I go back home because:
I can make my classes more culturally relevant
I can share the culture I experienced
I can start a correspondence between my Ss
I can teach a larger range of words/expressions
I can share picturesand things from here
I can use some of the materials I used
New Words!book of stamps
hubby
A day/ B day
roster
chicken pattie
condos
police trap
sub (sandwich& Substitute)
bagle
single filedry run
New Words
I used to say/spell…
Trousers Pants
Mum Mom
Full stop Period
Colour Color
Behaviour Behavior
My exciting experience continues…
Thank you!