The Exciting Experience of a Romanian EFL Teacher in the US! By Elena Andrei

The Exciting Experience of a Romanian EFL Teacher in the US! The presentation will focus on: the educational system in Romania EFL in the Romanian curriculum experience as a teacher in Romania and in the US

My Resume: in short EFL in Romania 4 years high school middle school teacher tutor ESL one year middle school

My School in Romania

School System in Romania High School grades Ss/class One teacher for each subject Middle School grades Ss/class One teacher for each subject Elementary grades Ss/class One teacher for all subjects, except for Foreign Languages

Classes

Number Foreign Language Classes

Number of students/group

Teaching Load - schedule 18 classes/week One day- off for training purposes

Teacher’s schedule Any combination of classes grades: 1-12 ElementaryMiddle SchoolHigh School

Foreign Language Requirements A language – a “must” Exam in a language to graduate high school. 2nd language introduced in 6th grade. 1st language introduced in 2nd grade. (pre-K, 1 st grade - parents’ request)

Popular Foreign Languages Top 3 Do you speak English? Parlez-vous Francais? Sprechen Sie Deutsch?

Teachers’ Responsibilities Teachers’ Responsibilities Create a pacing guide for each class Meet the standards Planning period home/school Prepare Ss for High School Graduation Exam.

The Curriculum EFL The standard course of study the same for every one who is at the same level. The objectives may differ (number of classes/week).

Standard Course of Study - EFL Standard Course of Study Understand oral messages. Express feelings and thoughts orally. Develop awareness about the Anglo-Saxon culture. Express in writing. Understand a written text/message.

EFL vs ESL Objectives Social language Not used immediately Social & academic language Used immediately

EFL vs. ESL Classes 2-3 classes/ week. 4-6 classes/week Large groups 1 or 2 blocks/day Smaller groups

EFL vs. ESL Communication the same L1 easy switch to L1 Ss emerged in L1 L1 may differ Communication: English (only way) Students emerged in the language

EFL vs. ESL Textbooks focus on understanding &using social language few literature elements focus on LA standard literature elements

EFL vs. ESL Textbooks American spelling, vocabulary, & pronunciation Focus on language accuracy and literature elements. Elements of world’s culture &history. British textbooks, spelling, vocabulary & pronunciation. Focus on language accuracy Elements of American &British culture &history

Teaching in Romania & U.S. My Romanian teaching prepared me well for: Small groups Teaching grammar Following pacing guide My experiences in Romania did not prepare me at all for: Teaching Ss with a different L1 Teaching literature

Teaching in Romania &U.S. My Romanian teaching prepared me well for: PIG work Work with different language proficiencies Using some technology My experiences in Romania did not prepare me at all for: Using PC Programs Walk Ss in single file Prepare Ss for exam every year

My students watching a movie

Group work

I anticipate… This experience will make me a better teacher when I go back home because: Experienced the culture of language I teach Experienced another school system Learnt new words/expressions Used technology Planned at school

I anticipate… This experience will make me a better teacher when I go back home because: Taught literature Taught longer blocks Taught the same Ss every day Taught English without using my L1

I anticipate… This experience will make me a better teacher when I go back home because: I can make my classes more culturally relevant I can share the culture I experienced I can start a correspondence between my Ss I can teach a larger range of words/expressions I can share pictures and things from here I can use some of the materials I used

New Words! New Words dry runsingle filebagle sub (sandwich& Substitute) police trapcondos chicken pattie roster A day/ B day hubby book of stamps

I used to say/spell… TrousersPants MumMom Full stopPeriod ColourColor BehaviourBehavior

My exciting experience continues…

Thank you!

QUESTIONS? Contact: Elena Andrei