Teaching English in Poland - lessons learned during the Erasmus job shadowing mobility at XIII Liceum Ogólnokształcące im. Bohaterów Westerplatte

The Erasmus+ job shadowing mobility carried out at XIII Liceum Ogólnokształcące im. Bohaterów Westerplatte in Kraków between 27-31 October 2025, within the Erasmus project 2025-1-RO01-KA121-SCH-000321135, funded by the European Union, offered a valuable opportunity to explore the integration of digital tools and innovative pedagogical approaches within the context of upper-secondary education. 

From the perspective of an experienced teacher of English, this professional development programme provided concrete insights into how digitalisation can enhance both the teaching and assessment processes, promote inclusion, and foster intercultural collaboration.

In recent years, the European educational landscape has undergone rapid digital transformation, accelerated by the need for flexible, inclusive, and student-centred learning environments. Within this context, my Erasmus+ job shadowing mobility in Kraków aimed at observing, exchanging, and reflecting upon innovative educational practices focusing on digitalisation and pedagogical innovation. The Erasmus mobility provided an immersive experience in a technologically advanced school environment, allowing for comparative reflection between Romanian and Polish educational practices and for the identification of transferable methodologies.

During the mobility, I attended several English and Italian lessons where the teachers effectively integrated digital tools such as interactive whiteboards, online learning platforms, and collaborative applications. The use of Miro, Digipad, and Canva for Education exemplified how digital platforms can foster creativity, interaction, and student autonomy. The lessons were structured around blended approaches, combining traditional teaching with online resources that encouraged student engagement and differentiated learning.

The observed methodology emphasized active learning and formative assessment. For example, the students worked collaboratively on digital boards, co-creating vocabulary maps and grammar exercises, while the teachers monitored progress in real time. This approach highlighted the potential of technology to make learning visible and to support continuous feedback, in contrast to the more summative, exam-oriented practices often prevalent in traditional classrooms.

One of the key lessons learned concerned the digitalisation of assessment. The Polish teachers demonstrated various tools for formative and summative evaluation, including quiz platforms, collaborative portfolios, and self-assessment instruments. Assessment is not limited to measuring knowledge, but also aims at developing critical thinking, creativity, and digital literacy.

Particularly inspiring was the use of AI-based tools such as ChatGPT to support lesson planning, generate writing prompts, and facilitate peer feedback. The students are encouraged to use AI responsibly to explore ideas and refine their output, while the teachers guides them in verifying sources and maintaining academic integrity. This balanced approach to AI integration provided a model for developing digital ethics and critical digital competence, essential in 21st-century education.

The workshops on data protection (GDPR) and online safety reinforced the idea that digitalisation must be accompanied by ethical awareness and safeguarding practices. The teachers at the host school placed great emphasis on digital citizenship, responsible online behaviour, and prevention of cyberbullying. These sessions provided concrete examples of how schools can integrate data protection principles into everyday practice - through explicit classroom discussions, parental engagement, and clear digital use policies.

From a methodological standpoint, this aspect underlined the importance of embedding digital safety education into English lessons. Activities such as debating online privacy or analysing digital footprints can simultaneously develop linguistic, intercultural, and civic competences.

A significant component of the mobility involved collaborative creation, notably the joint production of a digital book discussing the advantages and risks of educational technology. This project-based learning activity illustrated how technology can support cross-border cooperation, creativity, and reflection on pedagogical values. The process required negotiation, communication in English, and intercultural understanding - skills central to both language education and European citizenship.

Moreover, the host teachers’ use of digital tools to promote inclusion and personalization was particularly enlightening. Students with different learning needs benefited from multimodal resources -videos, visual mind maps, and speech-to-text applications - that supported accessibility and engagement. This inclusive digital pedagogy can be effectively adapted to Romanian classrooms to address diverse learners’ needs.

From a methodological perspective, the Erasmus mobility inspired a rethinking of how digitalisation can transform not only what we teach, but how we teach and assess. The following key takeaways emerged:

• Shift from teacher-centred to learner-centred pedagogy, supported by interactive and adaptive digital environments.

• Use of AI tools as cognitive partners in lesson design and feedback, rather than as replacements for human interaction.

• Integration of formative digital assessment to provide ongoing, personalized feedback and encourage student self-reflection.

• Embedding data protection and digital ethics within the curriculum to cultivate responsible, critical users of technology.

• Collaboration through digital platforms as a means of fostering intercultural competence and teamwork.

These methodological insights have direct applicability in the Romanian educational context, particularly in promoting hybrid learning, digital assessment, and innovation within English language teaching.

In conclusion, the Erasmus+ mobility in Kraków was a transformative professional experience that deepened my digital, pedagogical, and intercultural competences. Observing and engaging with innovative practices at XIII Liceum Ogólnokształcące im. Bohaterów Westerplatte demonstrated how digitalisation can humanize, rather than mechanize, the educational process making learning more interactive, inclusive, and reflective. This experience reinforced my belief that effective digital education is not about technology itself, but about pedagogical vision, ethical awareness, and collaborative spirit.

As a Romanian teacher of English, I returned inspired to integrate these approaches into my own teaching practice, to promote digital literacy among students, and to contribute to the ongoing European dialogue on educational innovation.

The European Commission support for the production of this article does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the author, and the National Agency and Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Our eTwinning projects and School Label promoted during the Erasmus job mobility in Poland (28/10/2025)

On 28 October 2025, I had the opportunity to to explore the promotion and implementation of eTwinning projects as a powerful tool for fostering international collaboration and digital competence in schools during the job-shadowing mobility held within the Erasmus project 2025-1-RO01-KA121-SCH-000321135 funded by the European Union.

The mobility highlighted how the teachers of Liceul Teoretic Radu Vlădescu, an eTwinning School 2025-2026, actively integrate eTwinning into their curricula, using it to connect students with peers across Europe. Liceul Teoretic “Radu Vlădescu” implemented a number of four eTwinning projects during the 2024-2025 school year: Bookfest 2025, Digital Explorers and Promoters of Cultural Heritage, All Together for a Global Celebration, and Sari Gelin Tours Europe and more than 5 eTwinning projects during the 2025-2026 school year: A Song for Our Souls in an English-Speaking World, Bookfest 2026, EcoDigital Explorers for Sustainability, Colourful Celebrations, Drop by Drop Our Future etc.

During my presentation, I shared some of my most valuable lessons where collaborative projects on cultural topics, language learning, civic participation and digital creativity engaged students in meaningful communication and teamwork and emphasized the importance of planning, structured timelines, and clear roles for the students, ensuring that projects remain interactive, goal-oriented, and pedagogically relevant.

A key component of the visit was the exchange of strategies for promoting eTwinning within the school community. I also learned from our host school representatives and several Polish students about creating awareness among the extended community members, organizing workshops, and using social media and school websites to showcase project outcomes. The host teachers also demonstrated how eTwinning can be aligned with other school initiatives, such as digital literacy, intercultural education, inclusion, volunteering and blended learning practices.

Through discussions and joint activities, we reflected upon the potential of eTwinning partnerships to enhance language learning, digital skills, and intercultural understanding in our classrooms and beyond. The experience inspired me to design future projects that actively involve students in collaborative online environments, promote creativity, and strengthen the connection between Romanian and European schools.

Overall, the mobility reinforced the value of eTwinning as an educational and motivational tool, empowering both teachers and students to engage in innovative, cross-border learning experiences.

The European Commission support for the production of this material does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the National Agency and Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

🌸 Scratch Flower Generation Coding – Growing Digital Creativity for Sustainability under eTwinning Auspices

During Code Week 2025, the students involved in the eTwinning project EcoDigital Explorers for Sustainability took part in a creative and educational coding activity titled “Scratch Flower Generation Coding.” The hands-on initiative combined digital creativity, environmental awareness, and collaboration, empowering the students to become both eco-conscious thinkers and digital creators.

🌱 Coding for a Greener Future

In this activity, the students in class 11B, led by Alexandru U., used Scratch, a visual programming platform, to design and animate digital flowers that grow, bloom, and move in harmony with nature-inspired patterns. Each animation symbolized growth, renewal, and sustainability - values that reflect our commitment to protecting the environment.

As a result, the less experienced students learned how to:

• Use loops, variables, and conditionals to animate natural processes;

• Apply mathematics and geometry creatively to generate flower designs;

• Reflect on how coding can model real-world environmental systems;

• Express ecological messages through digital storytelling and art.

Through this blend of technology and sustainability, the learners not only practiced computational thinking but also developed a sense of responsibility toward nature.

💻 Collaborative Learning Through eTwinning

The participants in the EcoDigital Explorers for Sustainability project from different countries shared their creations in the eTwinning TwinSpace, thus promoting communication, digital literacy, and intercultural understanding, and showing how teamwork and collaboration can lead to innovative learning outcomes.

🌍 Joining the Code Week 4 All Challenge

By participating in the EU Code Week 4 All Challenge, our project became part of a wider European movement that promotes coding and digital skills for everyone.
This experience offered several benefits:

• The students gained confidence in using digital tools to express ideas;

• The teachers integrated STEM and sustainability education creatively;

• The project connected with other schools and initiatives across Europe, strengthening the eTwinning network of collaboration and innovation.

🌸 Reflections and Impact

The “Scratch Flower Generation Coding” activity demonstrated how coding can serve as a bridge between creativity and sustainability as the students discovered that digital skills can help us imagine and design a better world, one line of code - and one flower - at a time.

As EcoDigital Explorers for Sustainability, our learners continue to grow like the flowers they coded: reaching toward the light of knowledge, cooperation, and care for our planet. 🌿💫

The eTwinning project "EcoDigital Explorers of Sustainability": A Pedagogical Approach to Digital Learning and Environmental Awareness

The eTwinning project EcoDigital Explorers of Sustainability  integrates creativity, technology, and ecological education to nurture responsible, digitally skilled, and environmentally conscious learners. It brings together students from different European schools to collaborate on interactive, interdisciplinary tasks that promote innovation, teamwork, and sustainable thinking.

The project’s main goal is to foster digital competence and ecological responsibility through experiential learning and help the European students to become creators, problem-solvers, and active citizens capable of understanding and addressing real-world challenges.

The participants will develop digital skills through the use of web tools such as Padlet, Canva, Postermywall, Genially, Scratch, and Board Game Maker. These platforms will allow them to design posters, games, and collaborative digital products. Their logical and computational thinking will be strengthened through coding in Scratch, Python, and pixel art, enhancing both creativity and problem-solving abilities.

The project also values artistic expression, encouraging learners to create logos, digital posters, and stop-motion videos. These creative activities will cultivate the students' imagination while communicating messages about sustainability and global citizenship. In addition, the project participants will deepen their understanding of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and learn to adopt eco-friendly behaviours through inquiry and reflection.

It goes without saying that international collaboration is at the heart of the project. Mixed teams of students from different countries will work together on shared outputs such as posters, quizzes, and board games. We all know that these experiences promote intercultural dialogue, empathy, and respect for diversity, which are key components of European values and civic education.

The project "EcoDigital Explorers of Sustainability" will follow a clear structure throughout the 2025-2026 school year, ensuring a balanced integration of digital, scientific, and cultural activities. The partner schools have decided to share the responsibilities equally, each coordinating specific events such as contests, collaborative products, or digital exhibitions. Both communication and sharing will take place on eTwinning’s TwinSpace, Digipad, and through online meetings.

The project’s methodology will encourage active participation, cooperation, and creativity as the students will get opportunities to learn by designing, experimenting, and reflecting. They will also develop their transversal competences of digital literacy, artistic creativity, scientific curiosity, and environmental awareness. Moreover, the international dimension will strengthen their sense of European identity and global citizenship.

In conclusion, we are confident that the educational partnership "EcoDigital Explorers of Sustainability" will illustrate how eTwinning projects can transform education into a collaborative and future-oriented experience. By combining digital innovation with ecological awareness, it will succeed in equipping our students with the skills most needed in the 21st century - critical thinking, creativity, and responsibility toward both their communities and the planet.

"Poveștile Toamnei/Autumn Tales" – A Joyful Autumn Celebration at Our School 23/10/2025

On 23 October, the entire school community came together for a heartwarming celebration of autumn called “Poveștile Toamnei” (“Autumn Tales”). Coordinated by Mrs. Mihaela Neacșu, the project brought colour, music, and the delicious taste of fall to our school grounds, transforming an ordinary day into a wonderful community festival.

Students, teachers, and parents all worked hand in hand to make the event a success. The classrooms and schoolyard were filled with beautifully arranged flowers, fruits, and vegetables, while the air buzzed with excitement and laughter. Tables overflowed with homemade treats - cakes, jams, and traditional dishes prepared by families. Meanwhile, music, poetry, and art created by the students added a warm and festive atmosphere that truly captured the spirit of the season.

Beyond the fun and festivities, Poveștile Toamnei was also a valuable learning experience. The pupils  practised teamwork and creativity while preparing decorations and performances. They learned about nature, healthy eating, and local traditions through hands-on activities that made school feel more alive than ever. Writing autumn-themed poems and songs helped them express their emotions and imagination, while the collaboration between classes showed how much can be achieved when everyone works together.

Perhaps the most meaningful part of the event was how it brought people closer. Parents and grandparents joined in, sharing stories and memories from their own childhoods. Teachers and students worked side by side, learning from one another in a relaxed and joyful way. For many, it was a reminder that school is not only a place for lessons - it’s also a space where friendships, values, and community spirit grow stronger.

Thanks to Mrs. Mihaela Neacșu’s thoughtful coordination and the enthusiasm of everyone involved, Poveștile Toamnei has become much more than a seasonal event. It was a true celebration of learning, sharing, and belonging. The success of this project shows how powerful community collaboration can be - and how every season offers a new story to tell together.

National Quality Labels Awarded for Our eTwinning projects 2024-2025

We are delighted to celebrate the success of three eTwinning projects implemented within the 2024-2025 school year by Liceul Teoretic "Radu Vlădescu" - "Digital Explorers and Promoters of Cultural Heritage", "Bookfest 2025" and "All Together for a Global Celebration" - which were awarded the National Quality Label on 15 October. This distinction recognised the creativity, collaboration, and achievements of the teachers and students who embraced innovation and international partnership through eTwinning.

The eTwinning National Quality Label, a hallmark of excellence for school projects across Europe, is based on five criteria: international collaboration, creative and critical use of technology, pedagogical innovation, curricular integration, and results and documentation. Being awarded such labels plays an important role in recognising our school's innovative teaching, the development of digital and intercultural competences, and the embedment of European collaboration and educational standards in our school life.

Among the lessons learned across these three projects it is worth mentioning that all three projects demonstrated how the eTwinning quality criteria could guide meaningful, technology-enhanced, cross-curricular collaboration, each project started with an engaging theme that captured the learners’ imagination, the teachers integrated multiple subjects to reinforce connections between disciplines, technology added real value by enhancing collaboration and communication, the students played active roles as researchers, creators, and digital citizens, and, last, but not least, the teachers documented every step, ensuring transparency and reflection.

🏅 In conclusion, the National Quality Labels recognised the remarkable work accomplished by our school community through active engagement and dedicated teamwork, which transformed everyday lessons into meaningful European learning experiences. 

#ErasmusDays 2025 – “Live our values, inspire our future!” Promoting European Values through Education, Collaboration, and Community Engagement

 

On October 14, 2025, as part of the #ErasmusDays 2025 celebration, Liceul Teoretic Radu Vlădescu  (Pătârlagele) hosted a large-scale local campaign dedicated to promoting European values and exploring how these principles can help build a more inclusive, cohesive, and democratic school community.

The six-hour event brought together a diverse audience of approximately 120 high school students, teachers involved in eTwinning and Erasmus+ projects, and other members of the school community. The initiative was coordinated by Mrs. Claudia Emilia Frînculeasă, Mrs. Emilia Băjan, Mrs. Adelaida Loredana Iorga, Mrs. Mihaela Neacșu, and Mr. Daniel Sorin Neacșu, a team with extensive experience in the implementation of European educational projects.

The campaign aimed at promoting the core values of the European Union - respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law, and respect for human rights - and to explore how these principles can positively shape both the school environment and the wider community.

From a pedagogical standpoint, the activity sought to:

• help students identify and understand the relevance of European values in everyday and school life;

• cultivate attitudes of tolerance, empathy, and solidarity, essential to inclusive education;

• highlight the impact of the Erasmus+ Programme on personal growth, intercultural learning, and civic engagement;

• foster a sense of European identity and belonging through collaboration, reflection, and shared creativity.

In a dynamic and supportive atmosphere, the students worked in interdisciplinary teams to design collaborative posters illustrating the six fundamental European values. Equipped with laptops, graphic materials, EU flags, and promotional resources, the participants transformed the abstract ideals of  freedom, equality, dignity, and diversity into compelling visual and verbal messages.

This hands-on, project-based approach provided meaningful opportunities for experiential learning, teamwork, and critical thinking, reinforcing some valuable key-competences promoted by the Erasmus+ framework.

A central component of the event was a guided reflection session, during which the students discussed how they could personally contribute to building a value-driven school culture. Former Erasmus+ mobility participants were also invited to share their experiences, emphasizing how such programmes foster personal development, intercultural awareness, and community transformation.

The campaign culminated in a poster exhibition entitled #ErasmusDays2025: Live our values, inspire our future!, displayed within the school premises. In addition, a dissemination brochure presenting the achievements of the Erasmus+ project No. 2024-1-RO01-KA121-SCH-000206543, funded by the European Union and implemented by Liceul Teoretic Radu Vlădescu during the 2024–2025 school year, was distributed among the participants and partners.

This initiative served not only as a celebration of European identity, but also as a powerful pedagogical experience, demonstrating that European education is lived through values, not just through international mobilities. Both the students and the teachers reaffirmed their commitment to fostering a school culture based on respect, cooperation, and democratic engagement.

The #ErasmusDays 2025 campaign was a living lesson in unity, responsibility, and diversity, illustrating how European values can serve as genuine foundations for coexistence, inclusion, and lifelong learning when embraced and practised by the entire school community.

Happy Erasmus Days 2025, dear Europeans!!!

Curricular integration of the eTwinning project "EcoDigital Explorers for Sustainability" (2025-2026)

The eTwinning project EcoDigital Explorers for Sustainability  is designed to foster creativity, international collaboration, and ecological awareness through interdisciplinary and learner-centered activities. Built upon the Romanian National Curriculum for Teaching English as a Foreign Language, the project blends language learning with digital education and sustainable development.

Throughout the 2025-2026 school year, our students will engage in a rich variety of activities that include exploring online safety, discovering national symbols, experimenting with programming, creating digital art, and observing nature using mobile applications. They will also investigate the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), encouraging them to think globally while acting locally.

Through collaborative tasks, digital storytelling, and international contests, the students will enhance essential 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and communication. The integration of ICT tools and project-based learning not only strengthens their digital, artistic, scientific, and civic competences but also promotes responsible and ethical online behaviour.

Furthermore, the project nurtures European values such as respect, cooperation, and inclusion while cultivating the students’ sense of environmental responsibility. By connecting ecological education with digital literacy, the learners are empowered to become innovative and engaged digital citizens capable of contributing to a more sustainable future.

Ultimately, EcoDigital Explorers for Sustainability transforms traditional learning into an interactive and meaningful educational journey, where technology, language, and sustainability merge to inspire the next generation of thoughtful, eco-conscious Europeans.

Curricular integration of the eTwinning project "A Song for Our Souls in an English-Speaking World" (2025-2026)

🎶 A Song for Our Souls: Where Curriculum Meets Creativity in an English-Speaking World

In today’s classrooms, learning is no longer confined to textbooks and tests. It’s about connection, creativity, and real-world skills. The eTwinning project “A Song for Our Souls in an English-Speaking World” (2025–2026) brings all of these together, turning the school curriculum into a living, breathing experience where students find their voices - literally and figuratively - through music, language, and technology.

Led by a passionate team of European educators, this project harmoniously blends the goals of the Romanian National Curriculum with 21st-century education and European quality standards.

🎤 English Language Learning with Rhythm and Meaning

At its core, the project is anchored in the general competences for teaching English as a foreign language. But this isn’t about drilling grammar rules. Through songwriting, musical expression, and storytelling, students engage with the language in meaningful, emotional, and practical ways. They learn to understand and produce spoken and written messages, participate in real conversations, and explore language as a bridge to share thoughts, feelings, and ideas with the world.

💻 ICT Skills: Turning Technology into a Creative Tool

Music and language come to life thanks to the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The students don’t just learn about technology, they use it to research, collaborate, create, and share. Whether they’re documenting lyrics, recording performances, or making digital presentations, they apply what they learn to complete real projects that matter to them.

The ICT competences from the Romanian curriculum are fully integrated into the learning process: the students will develop research skills, use tech tools for communication, and apply knowledge in practical, creative ways. In the process, they discover that tech is more than a tool, it’s a powerful medium for expression.

🌟 21st Century Skills in Action

This project is a playground for 21st-century skills. The students have the chance to practise critical thinking by analyzing lyrics and social issues, show creativity, and collaborate across borders and cultures. They learn to communicate clearly, solve problems, and lead with empathy and confidence. Their musical journey also encourages digital literacy, global awareness, and adaptability as they navigate new technologies, reflect on cultural diversity, and share their voices with international peers, building not only knowledge, but also resilience and open-mindedness.

🧠 Lifelong Learning and Personal Growth

Alongside language and digital skills, the project supports the development of key competences for lifelong learning. The project participants will grow in areas like multilingualism, civic responsibility, and cultural expression. They will learn to think for themselves, work in teams, manage their learning, and appreciate both their own culture and those of others. Through music and collaborative project tasks, they will discover their own values, build confidence, and feel the joy of creating something meaningful with others. These are lessons that last far beyond the classroom.

💡 Values That Resonate

"A Song for Our Souls in an English-Speaking World" promotes strong values and attitudes - the very heart of modern education. The students are encouraged to think critically about technology, explore the ethical impact of computer use, and show initiative in both their learning and their projects. They will develop a creative mindset, a sense of responsibility, and the ability to evaluate their work honestly and constructively. Most importantly, they will learn that their voices matter and that they can use those voices to build a better, more understanding world.

🎼 Final Note: Learning in Harmony

With its rich mix of curriculum goals, technology, creativity, and international collaboration, A Song for Our Souls in an English-Speaking World will become a celebration of what education can be when it speaks to the mind and the soul.

After all, it was created to remind us all that, when students learn through their passions, they remember more, feel more, and grow more. And that’s a song worth singing in every classroom across Europe and beyond.

Curricular integration of the eTwinning project "Bookfest 2026" (2025-2026)

📚 Bookfest 2026: Where Language, Literature, and Life Skills Meet

In a world where education must prepare students not just for exams, but for life, projects like Bookfest 2026 shine as powerful models of innovation, engagement, and real-world learning. Developed under the eTwinning framework, this cross-border initiative brings together students from Romania and the Republic of Moldova, empowering them to explore the world of books while building essential skills for the 21st century.

Bookfest 2026 is a learning journey that blends language, literature, technology, and collaboration, and provides students with meaningful, hands-on experiences that reflect the goals of the Romanian national curriculum, while also opening doors to creativity, communication, and cultural understanding.

🌍 English in Action: Communication with Purpose

At the heart of the project lies the English language, not just as a school subject, but as a living, breathing means of communication. Through collaborative activities, creative writing, and literary discussions, the students will use English in real-life contexts, developing their ability to understand, respond to, and produce both written and spoken messages.

They will also practise taking part in conversations, exchanging ideas, and mediating meaning in diverse situations. In this way, English will turn into a gateway to global connection and self-expression.

📖 Building Lifelong Skills Through Literature

Bookfest 2026 goes far beyond language learning. Through the lens of literature, the students will develop key competences that are essential for lifelong learning. They will enhance their literacy, multilingualism, and digital fluency, while also growing in areas such as social awareness, civic responsibility, and cultural expression.

As they explore books and share their reflections with peers, they will learn to think critically, solve problems, and appreciate the richness of different cultural perspectives. These are skills that extend well beyond the classroom, preparing students for the complexities of modern life and future careers.

💻 Technology with Purpose: ICT as a Creative Tool

Technology plays a central role within the project, not as an add-on, but as an integral part of the learning process. The students will use a variety of ICT tools to conduct research, collaborate with classmates, and create engaging digital content. From designing presentations to producing multimedia responses to literature, they will learn to use technology not just efficiently, but creatively and meaningfully.

This project will definitely support the students to move from passive consumers of information to active digital creators, capable of expressing their ideas and collaborating in virtual environments. As we all know, these experiences lay the foundation for digital citizenship and innovation.

💡 Growing Values and Attitudes that Matter

Beyond skills and knowledge, Bookfest 2026 nurtures a deeper layer of learning: values and attitudes. Through teamwork and reflection, our students can learn to listen to others, appreciate diversity, and communicate with empathy and respect. They can also develop a sense of responsibility and understand the social and cultural impact of both literature and technology.

Moreover, the project encourages critical thinking, tolerance, and self-evaluation, helping students to become not only better learners, but also more thoughtful, open-minded individuals.

🎓 A Vision for Future-Ready Education

In a time when education must be as dynamic as the world our students are growing into, Bookfest 2026 offers a model of how curriculum can be alive, interactive, and deeply human. By connecting language learning with real-world tasks, and by integrating literature with digital creativity, this project shows how schools can inspire not just academic success, but personal growth, curiosity, and global citizenship. After all, when we bring together the power of books, the beauty of expression, and the tools of technology, we give our students not only lessons, we inspire and empower them to become the best versions of themselves.

Bookfest 2026 - The first online meeting of the eTwinning project team

The first virtual meeting of the eTwinning bilateral project “Bookfest 2026” was held on 09 October 2025, marking the official launch of the third edition of this inspiring educational partnership.

The session aimed at revitalizing the collaboration between the two partner schools and building on the achievements of the previous editions, turning the 2026 project into an even more dynamic and creative learning experience for both the students and teachers.

During the meeting, the project coordinators outlined the project roadmap, discussed new collaborative activities, and decided on the digital platforms that will facilitate ongoing communication and teamwork. Special attention was given to increasing student engagement on European School Education Platform through interactive sessions, literary challenges, and joint creative workshops.

The project founder Mrs. Adelaida Iorga (Romania) and co-founder Mrs. Alina Răilean (the Republic of Moldova) expressed their shared vision for this year’s edition, emphasizing the project’s growing role in promoting reading culture, intercultural dialogue, and 21st-century skills among younger learners.

An important part of the discussion focused on identifying the participants’ interests and learning needs through initial questionnaires, ensuring that all the upcoming activities reflect both the students’ motivations and the teachers’ professional goals.

In conclusion, the meeting successfully set the tone for Bookfest 2026 - a new school year of collaboration, creativity, and cultural connection. All the participants showed great enthusiasm and commitment to making this edition an even more memorable and enriching experience within the eTwinning community.