The second online meeting within the eTwinning project "A Song for Our Souls in an English Speaking World"

On 30 January 2026, the second online meeting within the eTwinning project A Song for Our Souls in an English-Speaking World brought together teachers and students from three high schools in two countries: Pijarskie Liceum Ogólnokształcące Królowej Pokoju w Łowiczu (Poland), Liceul Teoretic "Nicolae Iorga" Nehoiu, and Liceul Teoretic "Radu Vlădescu" Pătârlagele (Romania). Coordinated by Mrs. Emilia Wolska, Mrs. Maria Pană, Mrs. Claudia Emilia Frînculeasă, and Mrs. Adelaida Loredana Iorga, the meeting focused on sharing methodological approaches and classroom experiences centred on music as a cultural and pedagogical resource.

A key topic of the online discussion was the process of selecting the most representative national songs. The students and teachers reflected on the clear criteria such as lyrical depth, cultural symbolism, historical relevance, and emotional resonance. The selection process itself became a valuable learning activity, requiring research, debate, and critical thinking. By justifying their choices in English, the students strengthened their communicative competence while developing cultural awareness and respect for both national identity and diversity within a European context.

Equally important was the exchange of best practices related to classroom activities inspired by the chosen songs. The teachers presented creative methodologies including lyric analysis, comparative cultural tasks, storytelling, creative writing, visual interpretation, digital resources and performance-based activities. These approaches transformed the three songs into interdisciplinary learning tools, linking English language learning with history, literature, civic education, philosophy, and art. The meeting highlighted how music-based tasks can increase student engagement, foster active learning, and support differentiated instruction.

The project participants also reflected on the cultural and personal lessons conveyed through the songs. Themes such as freedom, hope, identity, and resilience were recurrent and provided meaningful entry points for discussions on well-being and personal development. The teachers emphasized the role of music in supporting emotional literacy, empathy, and self-expression, particularly in challenging times. From a methodological perspective, this reinforced the value of affective learning and its contribution to the students’ social and emotional resilience.

From the standpoint of international collaboration, the meeting clearly demonstrated the added value of eTwinning projects. The students benefitted from authentic communication, exposure to different educational cultures, and collaborative knowledge construction. Pedagogically, the project promoted innovation through student-centred, inquiry-based, and interdisciplinary approaches, while supporting the development of key competences such as communication in foreign languages, cultural awareness and expression, digital, and learning to learn competences. Overall, the second online meeting confirmed that the partnership "A Song for Our Soulsin an English Speaking World" is not only a cultural exchange initiative, but also a powerful framework for holistic education.

Bookfest 2026 - the transnational competition within the homonymous eTwinning project

Between December 2025 – January 2026, five teachers and more than 100 students from two partner institutions, Liceul Teoretic „Radu Vlădescu” Pătârlagele (Buzău, Romania) and Liceul Teoretic „Mihai Eminescu” Florești (the Republic of Moldova), successfully organised Bookfest 2026, the transnational multimedia presentation competition within the eTwinning project of the same name. The project activity was conducted online and involved approximately four hours of work per participating teacher.

The project brought together students and educators in a collaborative learning context that highlighted the value of reading, digital creativity, and cross-border cooperation. Coordinated by the English teacher Mrs. Claudia Emilia Frînculeasă and the Romanian language and literature teacher Mrs. Iorga Adelaida Loredana (Romania), alongside three Moldovan teachers - Mrs. Alina Răilean, Mrs. Victoria Comerzan  and Mrs. Victoria Burlădeanu, the initiative exemplified effective teamwork and shared pedagogical vision.

The Educational Aims and Objectives

The primary aim of the Bookfest 2026 competition was to identify and integrate innovative teaching, learning, and assessment strategies that support a transdisciplinary approach to education. Under the auspices of the eTwinning programme, the activity sought to develop key student competences while promoting cooperation, experience sharing, and the exchange of good practices between the two partner schools.

More specifically, the project aimed to:

- provide students with opportunities to express opinions, preferences, arguments, and recommendations clearly and persuasively using digital tools such as Canva, PowerPoint, Google Slides, and video creation platforms;

- encourage online collaboration and intercultural exchange between Romanian and Moldovan students and teachers;

- develop linguistic, digital, civic, and “learning to learn” competences, alongside critical and creative thinking, cultural awareness, and expression;

- promote reading and raise awareness of its benefits for personal and academic development.

How the Project Activity Was Implemented

In December 2025, the students from both partner schools were informed about the opportunity to participate in the Bookfest 2026 transnational multimedia competition, in either Romanian or English. The coordinating teachers presented the theme, competition regulations, and evaluation criteria, ensuring transparency and equal access for all interested participants.

During the first half of January 2026, each teacher selected a maximum of 15 multimedia presentations for the Romanian-language section and 10 presentations for the English-language section. The presentations created by the students were submitted for evaluation to teachers from the partner school, in line with the competition regulations. The juries awarded prizes based on clearly defined scoring criteria, reinforcing fairness and mutual trust between the two institutions.

The activity relied on accessible resources such as laptops, mobile phones, and printed materials for data protection agreements and certificates, demonstrating that meaningful international collaboration can be achieved with modest, but well-managed logistical support.

Results and Impact

The outcomes of Bookfest 2026 were both tangible and pedagogically significant. Each partner school contributed at least 25 multimedia presentations, reflecting high student engagement and creativity. The project also resulted in an improved digital portfolio hosted on the European School Education Platform, ensuring visibility and sustainability of the work produced.

Beyond these concrete results, the impact on participants was particularly noteworthy. The participating students from both schools improved their language proficiency in English, digital literacy, and confidence in public expression, while also developing critical reading habits and creative thinking skills. The teachers benefitted from professional exchange, exposure to innovative practices, and strengthened partnerships across borders.

Bookfest 2026 proved to be more than a competition: it was a meaningful learning experience that connected reading with digital innovation and international collaboration. For both students and educators, the project reinforced the value of eTwinning activities in fostering key competences, motivating learners, and building durable partnerships between schools. As such, it stands as a model of good practice for educators seeking to combine language learning, digital tools, and cultural exchange in a coherent and impactful way.

The Romanian-Turkish Exchange under Erasmus+ Auspices 21/01/2026

On 21 January 2026, the students enrolled in class 11U at Liceul Teoretic Radu Vlădescu, coordinated by Mrs. Claudia Emilia Frînculeasă, together with the Turkish students preparing for an upcoming Erasmus mobility from Etimesgut Şehit Kaymakam Muhammed Fatih Safitürk Anadolu İmam Hatip Lisesi located in Ankara, Turkey, and coordinated by Mr. Birol Evren, participated in a structured online exchange designed to support key competence development, foster intercultural dialogue, and promote pedagogical innovation through meaningful international collaboration.

From a methodological perspective, the activity was designed as a synchronous virtual meeting with clearly defined stages and learning objectives. The exchange began with individual student introductions, allowing the participants to present themselves, their interests, and their expectations. This initial stage played an essential role in building a supportive learning environment, reducing communication anxiety, and fostering social and civic competences, particularly self-expression and active listening.

The second phase consisted of the presentations of the participating schools. The students introduced their institutions and the national and local context. This task promoted digital competence, communication skills, and the ability to select and structure relevant information. Moreover, it encouraged the students to reflect on their own educational identity while gaining insight into a different national education system.

A dedicated segment of the exchange focused on the promotion of eTwinning and Erasmus projects. The teachers and students collaboratively presented their ongoing projects, highlighting opportunities for international mobility, project-based learning, and collaborative innovation. This stage was methodologically significant, as it linked the virtual exchange to long-term European cooperation frameworks, enhancing the students’ awareness of active citizenship and lifelong learning opportunities within the European educational space.

The question-and-answer session represented a central interactive component of the meeting. The students were encouraged to ask spontaneous questions and respond to their peers, practising real-time communication in a foreign language. This dialogic approach supported multilingual competence, critical thinking, and intercultural sensitivity. Importantly, it shifted the students from passive recipients of information to active contributors, increasing engagement and motivation.

From the perspective of key competence development, the exchange contributed to the development of the participants' communication in English as a foreign language, digital competence, social and civic competence, and cultural awareness. The international collaboration fostered openness, respect for diversity, and an understanding of shared European values, while also highlighting cultural particularities.

Pedagogically, the activity illustrates how online tools such as Google Meet and Canva for Education can be integrated meaningfully into our teaching practice. The structured yet flexible format enabled authentic learning, student-centered interaction, and experiential learning beyond the classroom. Furthermore, the high level of student engagement demonstrated that virtual exchanges can effectively complement traditional instruction.

In conclusion, this Romanian-Turkish educational exchange exemplifies how well-planned online collaboration can enhance the quality of European education. By combining methodological planning with intercultural interaction, such activities contribute significantly to modern, inclusive, and innovative practices.

Celebrating the Life and Work of the Great Poet Mihai Eminescu on Romania's National Culture Day 15/01/2026

On 15 January 2026, Liceul Teoretic "Radu Vlădescu" celebrated Romania’s National Culture Day through an interdisciplinary educational activity entitled “The Life and Work of the Great Poet Mihai Eminescu”, organized within the educational project “Dor de Eminescu/Missing Our National Poet”. The initiative brought together two classes of students, the 9th and 11th grades of the humanities profile, coordinated by Mrs. Adelaida Loredana Iorga - a teacher of Romanian Language and Literature, and Mrs. Claudia Emilia Frînculeasă - a teacher of English, and provided an opportunity for the entire school community to rediscover Mihai Eminescu’s legacy through an integrated approach combining literature, art, music, and ICT.

The activity was designed as a thematic journey through the poet’s life followed by a literary workshop in which the participants analyzed key poems, focusing on themes such as love, nature, time and philosophical reflection. The artistic component enriched the experience: the students recited selected poems, accompanied by musical interpretations inspired by Eminescu’s verses. Visual materials, including digital portraits of Romania's National Poet, were used, transforming the school into a cultural forum dedicated to the Morning Star of Romanian Poetry.

The interdisciplinary nature of the activity offered clear educational benefits. First of all, it strengthened the students’ understanding of Romanian cultural heritage, allowing them to perceive Eminescu not only as a literary figure, but also as a symbol of national consciousness. Secondly, by working in mixed teams from two different classes, the students developed collaboration, communication, and project management skills. The activity also promoted critical thinking, as the learners were encouraged to interpret literary texts through historical and artistic lenses.

Moreover, the project activity fostered emotional engagement with the subject matter. Instead of simply memorizing biographical data, the students experienced Eminescu’s work as a living cultural force that continues to shape the Romanian identity. The use of creative expression increased their motivation and confidence, particularly among the students who discovered new talents in public speaking, translation, visual arts, or music.

In conclusion, “The Life and Work of the Great Poet Mihai Eminescu” proved to be a genuine celebration of Romania’s National Culture Day 2026 and a meaningful educational experience. What is more, through interdisciplinarity and active learning, the first activity of the educational project “Dor de Eminescu/Missing Our National Poet” succeeded in reconnecting young people with one of the most important figures of Romanian culture and reaffirmed the role of schools as a guardians of national values.

Our Romanian Song for the eTwinning Project "A Song for Our Souls in An English-Speaking World" - 12-13 January 2026

In January 2026, as part of the eTwinning project “A Song for Our Souls in an English-Speaking World”, the students enrolled in the11th grade at Liceul Teoretic "Radu Vlădescu", in Pătârlagele town, Romania, took part in a series of creative and reflective activities built around the Romanian song “Acasă / Home” by Smiley https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bORzlBW5QFU which they had voted for as the most representative Romanian song. 

The eTwinning project "A Song for Our Souls in An English-Speaking World" uses music as a learning tool to explore language, culture, values, and personal identity in a meaningful and engaging way. The activities began with listening to and discussing the song, focusing on its core message: enjoying life while staying true to oneself and never forgetting one’s roots. The students translated the lyrics in English and analyzed them, identifying key ideas such as balance, friendship, responsibility, and the importance of “home” as more than a physical place, and more of a moral and emotional anchor or safe haven.

To deepen their cultural understanding, the learners then connected the song’s message with Romanian proverbs, discovering how traditional wisdom reflects the same values expressed in modern music. This helped the project participants understand Romanian mentality, including moderation in life, respect for one's identity (and community), the belief that people are judged by their deeds rather than their words etc.

The project activity also included a reflective worksheet and discussion tasks that encouraged critical thinking and personal expression. The students answered questions about what “home” means to them, compared Romanian values with those of other cultures, and reflected on how music can communicate identity across borders. Through video activities and group discussions, they practised English in an authentic context while developing confidence and creativity.

Overall, these activities offered clear educational benefits: improved language skills, stronger cultural awareness, increased motivation, and deeper self-reflection. By working with a familiar Romanian song and presenting its message in English, the students became active cultural ambassadors, learning that their own traditions and values are meaningful and worth sharing with the world.