The Joy Christmas Challenge 2025 - A Season of Giving and Community Spirit

The holiday season of 2025 brought with it a sparkling new edition of an inspiring online competition designed to blend festive joy with creativity and language learning: the Joy Christmas Challenge 2025, proudly organized by Twinkle Star. Aimed at children across Romania, this initiative encouraged young minds to express what brings them joy during Christmas while practising English in a fun and engaging way.

What Is the Joy Christmas Challenge?

The Joy Christmas Challenge is an annual online contest hosted by Twinkle Star, a linguistic center based in Iași, Romania. The challenge invites children aged 4 to 14 years to create and submit original materials in English, inspired by the theme: “What brings you joy at Christmas? Three small things.” The participants are asked to reflect on and articulate at least three experiences, items, or traditions that make the holiday season meaningful to them, all expressed in English.

This format transforms language practice into a personal and creative journey, helping young learners connect English with emotion, cultural celebration, and their own festive experiences.

How the Challenge Worked in 2025

As usual, the participation in the Joy Christmas Challenge was free and fully online. The parents registered their children by completing an online form before the deadline of December 18, 2025, at 10:00 AM. Once registered, the families received a link to the official Facebook group for the contest, where each participant posted their entry, either a drawing or image (jpg) or a short video (mp4) that answered the challenge question creatively and in English.

The entries were evaluated not only for English use, but also for originality, festive spirit, and the participant’s ability to convey personal reflections on joy during Christmas.

Impact and Importance

What sets the Joy Christmas Challenge apart is its dual focus on education and emotional expression. By pairing language practice with a universally positive theme like “joy,” Twinkle Star has crafted a contest that celebrates both academic growth and the spirit of the holidays. The challenge helps children develop confidence in using English in a real-world context, beyond textbooks, by expressing feelings and personal experiences.

Moreover, the contest fosters inclusivity and positive engagement by operating online and being free of charge, enabling children from across Romania to showcase their talent and creativity.

Looking Ahead

As the 2025 Joy Christmas Challenge wrapped up, the participants, their parents, and the organizers alike are looking forward to even more creative expressions and community involvement in future editions. With each year, the challenge continues to grow, not just as a competition, but as a cultural tradition that celebrates language learning, festive joy, and the unique voices of young learners.

For anyone interested in participating or learning more about future challenges, Twinkle Star maintains updates and contest details on their official website  https://twinklestar.ro/concurs-joy/ and social media channels.

Global Education Week 2025 Certification - Shaping a Just, Peaceful, and Sustainable Future

Global Education Week 2025, held between 17–24 November, brought together educators, students, and institutions from across Europe and beyond to reflect on a shared mission: “Shaping a Just, Peaceful, and Sustainable Future.” Coordinated by the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe, this annual initiative continues to play a vital role in promoting global citizenship education and awareness of global interdependence.

Throughout the week, schools and educational organizations engaged in meaningful activities that encouraged critical thinking, solidarity, human rights, sustainability, and respect for diversity. In Romania, Global Education Week was implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Education, highlighting the importance of integrating global perspectives into formal education.

The 2025 edition reaffirmed that education is a powerful tool for change. By addressing global challenges such as inequality, peacebuilding, and sustainable development, Global Education Week empowered learners to become informed, responsible, and active citizens in an increasingly interconnected world.

Our participation in Global Education Week is not only a contribution to an international movement, it is a commitment to shaping a better future through education, dialogue, and collective responsibility.

Shine English Teaching Annual Conference - the 6th Edition - 05/01/2026

On 5 January 2026, hundreds of English language teaching professionals from Romania came together for the 6th edition of the SHINE English Teaching Annual Conference, an online event that highlighted cutting-edge developments in English Language Teaching (ELT). Hosted by Twinkle Star, SHINE - an acronym for Speeches, Hands-on learning, Interaction, Networking, and Engagement - once again delivered a powerful blend of insight, collaboration, and practical inspiration for educators at all career stages.

The theme for this year’s conference, “From Chalk to Chatbots: The Tech Twist on Teaching English,” underscored the evolving intersection of technology and pedagogy. In an era driven by artificial intelligence, digital tools, and rapidly changing learner needs, the discussions centered on how educators can integrate innovative digital practices without losing sight of human connection and classroom efficacy.

The programme featured a range of presentations by experienced ELT professionals, including specialists in educational technology, teacher development, and wellbeing. The attendees explored strategies to leverage interactive tools, digital resources, and emerging trends to enhance student engagement and build skills such as critical thinking, digital literacy, and adaptability.

A notable strength of this conference was its balance of free access sessions - open to all educators - and Gold sessions that offered deeper explorations of technology-enhanced practice and creative approaches to language instruction. The participation provided valuable opportunities for professional networking and community building, reinforcing SHINE’s ongoing commitment to support English teachers in a dynamic educational landscape.

As educators reflect on the insights shared at this year’s event, SHINE’s 6th edition stands out as a milestone in fostering thoughtful dialogue about the future of ELT, one that embraces both innovation and the enduring importance of meaningful teacher-learner relationships.

The local project "E vremea colindelor/It's the Season of Christmas Carols" 2025

In December 2025, a local project brought together students of all ages and teachers willing to celebrate the spirit of Christmas through a series of thoughtful and creative activities. The project participants worked side by side to prepare Christmas wishes, festive cards, and share the joy of carol singing.

The project focused on connection and inclusion. A carefully prepared presentation marked the season and encouraged reflection on the themes of kindness and generosity, while the card-making sessions offered a chance for the pupils enrolled in class 4A to express goodwill in a personal, meaningful way. The finished cards were shared with school friends, spreading festive cheer beyond the group itself.

The celebrations concluded with carol singing, filling the space with familiar melodies and a strong sense of community. It was a simple but powerful reminder of how local initiatives can create warmth, build relationships, and make the Christmas season brighter for everyone involved.

The international meeting within the eTwinning project "EcoDigital Explorers for Sustainability" (12/12/2025)

The second online meeting of the eTwinning project "EcoDigital Explorers for Sustainability" took place on 12 December 2025 and brought together teachers and students from partner schools located in Italy, Albania, North Macedonia, Romania, Greece, the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine, and Turkey. The event represented an important step forward in strengthening the international collaboration among partners and in reinforcing the project’s focus on sustainability through digital education.

The session began with individual introductions from all the participating students. Each student had the opportunity to introduce themselves, share their personal interests, preferences, and individual particularities. This initial activity created a friendly and inclusive atmosphere and supported the development of communication skills, mutual understanding, and intercultural awareness among the project participants from different educational and cultural contexts.

From Liceul Teoretic „Radu Vlădescu”, three 11th graders took part in the meeting: Homocea Patricia, Ghinea Maria Teodora, and Beteringhe Rareș Georgian. These students are also team members of this year's Erasmus project 2025-1-RO01-KA121-SCH-000321135 whose main objective is facilitating access to quality ecological education and European solutions and practices for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles.

A brief but informative and attractive presentation was delivered by the project founder, Mrs. Grecu Daniela, focusing on the use of digital tools in relation to ecology and the protection of our planet. The presentation emphasized the importance of integrating technology into educational practices in order to raise awareness of environmental issues and promote responsible and sustainable behaviour among young people.

An interactive Kahoot test on sustainability followed the presentation and actively engaged students in the learning process. Through this activity, the project participants were able to test their knowledge, collaborate with peers, and learn about sustainability in a dynamic and motivating digital environment.

The meeting concluded with an AnswerGarden moment dedicated to sharing online holiday wishes which reinforced the sense of community and partnership among students and teachers. This informal closing contributed to the strengthening of interpersonal connections and highlighted the positive and supportive spirit of the project.

The three students from Liceul Teoretic „Radu Vlădescu” reflected on the benefits of participating in the activities of the project "EcoDigital Explorers for Sustainability". They emphasized the value of communicating with peers from different countries, improving their foreign language and digital competences, and gaining a deeper understanding of environmental issues. As members of the Erasmus team, they also underlined that such international online meetings help develop teamwork, confidence, critical thinking, and a stronger sense of responsibility toward sustainability at both local and global levels.

Last but not least, we would like to express our sincere gratitude (and admiration) to the project founder, Mrs. Grecu Daniela, and to the project co-founder, Mrs. Evangelia Lagopoulou, as well as to all the dedicated teachers and enthusiastic students involved in the "EcoDigital Explorers for Sustainability" journey. Their commitment, professionalism, and openness to collaboration have made this initiative a valuable educational experience and a true example of international cooperation. We deeply appreciate the effort invested in promoting sustainability, digital competence, and intercultural dialogue, and we are grateful for the positive learning environment created throughout the project activities. 

On this occasion, we also extend our warmest wishes to all the project partners for a joyful and peaceful holiday season, filled with health, inspiration, and success, and we look forward, with confidence and enthusiasm, to our continued collaboration in the coming year!

"Bookfest 2026" - Our favourite books, characters, and authors for the homonymous eTwinning project

In December 2025, the participants in the eTwinning project Bookfest 2026 delivered the presentations of their favourite books or literary characters in front of their English teacher and peers. This project activity served as a preparatory stage for the selection of the ten finalists who would advance to the transnational competition in January 2026.

One of the main benefits of this activity was the strong promotion of reading in general and literature in particular. While preparing their presentations, the students actively engaged with literary texts, analysed their content, and reflected on key messages and themes. This process encouraged more attentive and purposeful reading, transforming it from a routine classroom task into a meaningful and creative learning experience.

The activity also encouraged the Romanian eighth-grade students to explore inspirational role models found in literature. By focusing on characters, authors, or ideas that had influenced them, the students developed deeper personal connections with the texts. This approach enhanced their motivation, fostered empathy, and helped the learners understand how literature can inspire positive attitudes and personal development.

Another significant benefit of the activity was the development of public speaking skills. All the students learned how to structure their ideas, speak with confidence, and address an audience clearly and effectively. The preparation for the transnational competition gave these skills practical relevance, helping some of the students overcome their fear of public speaking and build self-confidence in an authentic educational context.

As an international eTwinning activity, this student-centred event also provided a valuable context for developing English communication skills. English was used as a practical tool for expressing ideas, sharing interpretations, and interacting with peers. This meaningful use of the target language supported the development of fluency, accuracy, and intercultural communication.

Overall, the student presentations within the project Bookfest 2026 demonstrated how project-based learning can successfully combine reading promotion, literary appreciation, inspirational content, and key communication skills. The activity contributed significantly to the students’ academic development, personal confidence, and readiness to participate in the upcoming transnational competition.

Our eTwinning project ''A Song for Our Souls in an English-Speaking World'' promoted during the webinar ''Educație fără frontiere - cum transformăm școala prin Erasmus+"

The webinar “Education Without Borders – How We Transform Schools Through Erasmus+” was a deeply emotional and motivating experience for me. As a speaker, I felt truly inspired seeing how the success stories we shared ignited confidence and curiosity among participants. Their reactions, questions, and enthusiasm created an atmosphere full of energy, even when time felt too short to cover everything. 

I believe this event held on 28 November 2025 offered not just essential information, but also the encouragement many schools need to take their first steps toward international collaboration. The online event was also a valuable opportunity to highlight the strong connection between Erasmus+ and eTwinning, mostly via the European School Education Platform, showing how eTwinning can become a starting point for schools interested in broader European projects. 

This webinar reaffirmed my belief in a community of educators ready to grow, explore, and open their classrooms to the world, and I am grateful to have contributed to that journey by sharing my presentation "Noi oportunități Erasmus+ de digitalizare a predării-învățării-evaluării în comunitatea școlară/New Erasmus+ opportunities for the digitalisation of teaching, learning, and assessment in the school community" which included information about the eTwinning partnership "A Song for Our Souls in an English-Speaking World".

The Reviews of Our Favourite Books for the eTwinning Project ''Bookfest 2026''

The eTwinning project ''Bookfest 2026'' continues to cultivate a culture of reading, critical thinking and collaboration among Romanian and Moldovan students through engaging literary-based activities. One of the most dynamic and enriching components of the project is the activity entitled “The Reviews of Our Favourite Books”, a task which invited the project participants to select books that inspired or fascinated them and to write thoughtful, creative reviews. Through their reflections, they expressed not only personal opinions, but also the reasons why others should read those works, thus growing as readers and communicators.

A remarkable highlight of the eTwinning project is the collaboration between two theoretical high schools: Liceul "Radu Vlădescu" in Pătârlagele town, Buzău county, Romania, and Liceul Teoretic "Mihai Eminescu" in Florești town, the Republic of Moldova. The students from these two educational institutions worked together to create a wonderful collection of book reviews, showcasing literary preferences, cultural perspectives, and unique recommendations. Their writings reveal how books shape emotions, imagination, and curiosity, proving once again that reading connects individuals across borders.

The impact of this activity extends far beyond the written words. For the students, writing book reviews strengthens their vocabulary, analytical abilities, creativity, and confidence in expressing personal views. It also encourages them to read more widely, interact with new genres, and discover literature from both national and international authors. For the teachers, the activity brings fresh opportunities for collaboration, exchange of methods, and the integration of digital tools, such as Digipad, into learning. The educators become facilitators of discussion, guiding their students to think critically and reflect deeply on what they read.

The extended school communities benefit greatly as well. By sharing their collection of reviews, the students helped promote reading culture, inspire their peers to explore new books, and contribute to the visibility of their schools at European level. "Bookfest 2026" fosters intercultural communication, strengthens partnerships, and reinforces the idea that reading is a powerful bridge between people.

In conclusion, “The Reviews of Our Favourite Books” was a meaningful, enriching experience nurturing our passion for books, empowering young voices, and demonstrating how collaboration can transform a simple activity into an inspiring journey of learning and friendship.

''Our Romanian Role Models'' - one of the activities of the local project ''Proud to Be Romanian'' dedicated to Romania's National Day 2025

In November 2025, two classes of students - 10A and 12B - engaged in a thoughtful educational activity under the umbrella of “Our Romanian Role Models” initiative, as part of the local project entitled “Proud to Be Romanian/ Mândru că sunt român.” This combined effort sought to encourage teenagers to explore, celebrate and promote the Romanian cultural and national values, by identifying and presenting cultural models that define and enrich our Romanian identity.

During the collaborative work, each participant undertook a process of research, reflection and creative presentation. The students were invited to choose Romanian cultural figures that inspire them: historical personalities, artists, writers, scientists, sportspeople etc. Through this exploration, they connected personally with their national roots and developed an appreciation for the cultural legacy of our country.

The project built on the wider goals of the “Proud to Be Romanian” project, a local educational initiative that aims at deepening the young generation’s sense of belonging, pride, and identity with Romania through history, literature, sports, art, science, and cultural awareness. By engaging the high-school students in “Our Romanian Role Models” activity, they could reflect critically, choose role models consciously, and present them thoughtfully. Through this process they not only learned about important Romanian people or cultural elements, but also practised research, public speaking, collaboration and creative expression.

At the same time, the project encouraged intergenerational memory and cultural continuity: by choosing role models from different eras and fields, the students connected the past with the present, recognizing various contributions that shaped Romania. This kind of approach echoes broader educational efforts that use heritage projects and cultural education to strengthen national identity among youth.

Moreover, the activity fostered respect for diversity inside Romania: by considering figures from different areas - arts, science, history etc., the students could appreciate that our Romanian identity is rich, multifaceted and inclusive. By doing so, “Our Romanian Role Models” helped counter stereotypes and broaden the young people’s view of what it means to be Romanian.

At the end of the project activity, the students' work was shared, each contribution joining the broader collective effort within the “Proud to Be Romanian” initiative, which aims at keeping alive among the young people of today a sense of pride, awareness and respect toward Romanian heritage. 

In sum, the collective Digipad https://digipad.app/p/1449889/19c5b8ae989fd8 “Our Romanian Role Models” transformed a school activity into a living bridge between today's youth and our cultural heritage. Through reflection, creativity and shared preferences, the students could find inspiration and motivation while discovering - and rediscovering - what makes Romania great: its people, its values, its history and its vibrant cultural spirit.

European Quality Labels for three eTwinning projects implemented during the 2024-2025 school year: "Digital Explorers and Promoters of Cultural Heritage", "Bookfest 2025" and "All Together for a Global Celebration"