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.

English Language Teachers Engaged in Professional Dialogue at the Buzău County Teachers’ Council Meeting 27/09/2025

At the beginning of each school year, the English language teachers across the county come together for a significant professional event - the County Teachers’ Council (Consfătuirea Județeană). This annual meeting, organized by the County School Inspectorate and coordinated by the English language inspector, provides an essential platform for reflection, planning, and collaboration.

This year’s council brought together a wide range of educators, from experienced teachers to new professionals entering the classroom for the first time. The meeting aimed at harmonizing the teaching practices with the latest curriculum updates, national educational strategies, and international trends in language teaching.

The agenda included a comprehensive review of the previous school year's achievements and challenges, focusing on student outcomes in national assessments, exam results, and demonstration language activities. The teachers were encouraged to continue sharing examples of good practice, innovative methodologies, and classroom experiences that could inspire and support others in the field.

The language inspector highlighted the importance of using modern, communicative approaches in English language teaching, integrating digital tools, and promoting learner autonomy. In addition, there was a strong emphasis on inclusive education, differentiation, and formative assessment, all of which contribute to more effective and equitable learning environments.

One of the most appreciated aspects of the meeting was the opportunity for professional development and peer exchange as both the discussions and Q&A sessions allowed the teachers to clarify some aspects related to the effective planning of their teaching and assessment, and gain insight into how to better navigate the school year 2025-2026.

The teachers also discussed plans for future training sessions, online courses, and international projects that would enhance their teaching competencies. Networking among schools was encouraged, particularly for organizing interschool contests, cultural events, and collaborative student projects.

The 2025 Buzău County Teachers’ Council meeting on 27 September reaffirmed the shared commitment of English language teachers to providing high-quality education. By staying informed, engaged, and open to innovation, we play a crucial role in helping students develop not only linguistic skills, but also key-competences for lifelong learning - including cultural awareness and expression, and 21st century skills which prepare our students for global citizenship.

As the new school year begins, the insights and resources gained during the meeting are expected to enrich classroom practices and contribute to the continuous improvement of English language education in the county.

The first online meeting of the eTwinning project "A Song for Our Souls in an English-Speaking World" 26/09/2025

On September 26, 2025, the eTwinning project “A Song for Our Souls in an English-Speaking World” officially began with its first online meeting. This session brought together an enthusiastic project team ready to establish a clear roadmap and shared understanding of our work ahead.

The meeting agenda focused on several key points. First, we introduced the project calendar, highlighting important milestones and collaborative activities. The clear timeline will help us coordinate across schools and ensure balanced participation. We also confirmed that parental consents would be in place, safeguarding the learners’ rights and ensuring the students' families engagement and support.

The teachers' attention then turned to the eTwinning community standards and eSafety guidelines, reminding us of our responsibility to model respectful digital behaviour and protect our students in online spaces. Everyone agreed to embrace these shared commitments and ensure a safe, inclusive environment.

Pedagogically, the meeting emphasized collaboration and innovation. The teachers will guide their students in co-creating materials, sharing cultural insights, and experimenting with creative methods and Open Educational Resources. This approach supports active learning, strengthens motivation, and connects language practice with meaningful experiences.

As one of the participants concluded, this project is not only about teaching English - it is about building a collaborative learning community where students and teachers grow together, supported by thoughtful planning and innovative practices.

The European Day of Languages 2025 – Languages Opened Hearts and Minds!

Between 23–26 September 2025, almost one hundred students enrolled at Liceul Teoretic “Radu Vlădescu” in Pătârlagele town, Buzău county, celebrated the European Day of Languages 2025 (EDL). The event coincided with the 25th anniversary of EDL and embraced the inspiring theme “Languages open hearts and minds.”

The celebration took place under the guidance of the school’s English teachers, who coordinated a variety of creative and collaborative activities. The students worked both individually and in teams to produce materials that reflected linguistic diversity and the power of languages to connect people.

The products included short articles, essays, and literary creations in prose or verse, as well as posters with inspirational quotes, suggestive images, and digital collages. Many contributions were created in English, underlining the students’ ability to communicate across cultures. All the works were gathered in a collaborative Padlet, which served as a virtual exhibition and the final digital product of the event.

The initiative offered several benefits for participants. The students developed their creativity, improved their digital literacy, and enhanced their communication skills in foreign languages. They also gained a deeper appreciation of linguistic and cultural diversity, which strengthened their empathy and openness toward others.

At the same time, the activity brought significant advantages to the school community. It promoted collaboration, teamwork, encouraged intercultural dialogue, and highlighted the importance of multilingualism in education. The event also increased the school’s visibility by aligning local efforts with a major European celebration.

In conclusion, the European Day of Languages 2025 at Liceul Teoretic “Radu Vlădescu” succeeded in combining learning with creativity and cultural exchange. It demonstrated once again that languages truly open hearts and minds, fostering mutual respect and understanding across communities.

You can view the students’ collaborative work here: European Day of Languages 2025 – Padlet

You can also watch our dissemination video on Youtube!

Happy European Day of Languages 2025!

Suggested Answers for the Written Tasks in the 2025 Baccalaureate Linguistic Competence Exam

 

1. An informal email to a pen friend, Alex, who needs help with a school project about popular sports among Romanian teenagers explaining what sports are most popular, describing where teenagers usually play or watch these sports and mentioning why they enjoy them. (80-100 words)

Hi Alex,

Thanks for writing! I’d be more than happy to help with your project. Here in Romania, football is the most popular sport among teenagers. They usually play it in schoolyards, small neighborhood pitches, or watch matches at stadiums and on TV. Handball is also big, especially in schools and sports clubs - it’s fast and exciting, so teens really enjoy the energy. Tennis became more popular thanks to famous players like Simona Halep, and many teens play on local courts or follow big tournaments online. These sports bring friends together, create fun rivalries, and give everyone something to cheer for!

All the best,

Martin

2. An Opinion Essay: Living in Urban and Rural Environments for Teenagers

Both big cities and the countryside provide environments which influence the way young people live and develop nowadays. In my opinion, both of them present positive and negative effects and the better option depends on what teenagers prefer: the excitement of the city life or the peace and closeness to nature in the countryside.

On the one hand, living in urban areas gives teenagers more opportunities. Cities usually offer better schools, sports facilities, and cultural activities such as cinemas, museums, or concerts. Teenagers can also meet people from different cultures, which helps them become more open-minded. However, life in cities is often stressful. There is a lot of traffic, pollution, and noise. In addition, some teenagers may feel lonely in a big city, even though they are surrounded by lots of people.

On the other hand, the countryside is calmer and safer. Teenagers there can enjoy nature, fresh air, and more physical activities outdoors. Growing up in a rural place may also give them a stronger sense of community because people often know each other. Nevertheless, the countryside sometimes lacks access to modern schools, entertainment, and job opportunities. What is more, teenagers may feel isolated and have fewer chances to meet new people or explore different lifestyles.

In conclusion, both urban and rural environments offer advantages and disadvantages for teenagers: cities provide more opportunities and better facilities, while the countryside gives peace and a healthier lifestyle. The best place to live depends on what people value most in life.

Wakelet Certified Teacher

 

Book Creator Certified Author

 

The results of the creative writing competition organised within the educational project "Să cunoaștem Europa!/Let's know Europe!"

The Creative Writing Workshop & Competition within the 4th edition of the Summer School 2025

Date: Tuesday, 1 July 2025

Time: 09:00–11:00

Event: Creative Writing Workshop & Competition

Location: School Library

Occasion: 4th Edition of the Summer School

The creative writing workshop and competition organized on July 1st, 2025, as part of the 4th edition of the Summer School, proved to be a highly engaging and pedagogically effective event. Designed to develop our students’ expressive abilities and boost their confidence in using written language creatively, the session combined instruction, collaboration, and performance in a supportive academic environment.

The workshop commenced with an interactive lecture facilitated by two experienced teachers, Mrs. Emilia Frînculeasă and Mrs. Mihaela Neacșu, who introduced the fundamentals of narrative structure, character development, and imaginative storytelling. The eighteen participants, comprising primary, middle and high school students, were actively involved through question-and-answer segments, reflective prompts, and collaborative exercises. Visual aids and projected examples further enriched the learning experience, catering to visual learners and supporting comprehension of abstract writing techniques.

Following the instructional component, the students participated in a guided writing session where they were given thematic prompts designed to spark originality and personal expression. Observations indicated high levels of engagement and focus, as participants drafted their creative texts and received individual feedback from instructors.

The competitive element of the event provided a meaningful goal and sense of purpose. The students submitted their work for evaluation which included criteria such as originality, coherence, emotional impact, and language accuracy. The competition aspect fostered motivation and encouraged the students to push the boundaries of their creative potential.

Throughout the workshop, collaborative learning and peer support were evident, especially in mixed-age group settings. Older students often mentored younger participants, reinforcing a sense of community and academic mentorship.

Pedagogically, the workshop successfully blended direct instruction, formative assessment, collaborative tasks, and reflective practice. It highlighted the importance of creativity as a skill that can be cultivated and celebrated within an academic framework.

The creative writing workshop and competition significantly enhanced the students’ writing skills, confidence, and appreciation for the craft of storytelling. It fostered creativity, critical thinking, and communication - core competencies in 21st-century education - and contributed meaningfully to the goals of the 2025 Summer School.

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