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

By Elena Andrei

elaiancu@yahoo.com

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

ESLone yearmiddle school

My School in Romania

School System in RomaniaHigh School

grades 9-1220-30 Ss/class

One teacher for each subject

Middle Schoolgrades 5-8

20-35 Ss/classOne teacher for each subject

Elementary grades 1-4

16-30 Ss/classOne teacher for all subjects, except for Foreign Languages

Classes

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

classes/day

Elem

Middle

High

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

minutes/class

Elem

Middle

High

Number Foreign Language Classes

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

4

4.5

5

Pre-K Element. Middle High

Standard

Honors

Number of students/group

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Elem Middle High

Honors

Standard

Teaching Load - schedule

18 classes/week

One day- off for training purposes

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

M T W T F

Teacher1

Teacher2

Teacher3

Teacher’s schedule

Any combinationof classes

grades: 1-12

Elementary Middle School High 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, 1st grade - parents’ request)

Popular Foreign Languages

Top 3

Do you speak English?

Parlez-vous Francais?

Sprechen Sie Deutsch?

Teachers’ ResponsibilitiesTeachers’

Responsibilities

Create a pacing guide for

each classMeet the standards

Prepare Ss for High School

Graduation Exam.

Planning period

home/school

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

Understand

a written

text/message.

Express

in writing.

Developawareness about the Anglo-Saxon

culture.

Express feelings

and thoughts orally.

Understand oral messages.

Standard Course of

Study

EFL vs ESLObjectives

Social & academic languageUsed immediately

Social languageNot used immediately

EFL vs. ESL Classes

1 or 2 blocks/daySmaller groups

2-3 classes/ week.4-6 classes/week

Large groups

EFL vs. ESLCommunication

•L1 may differ•Communication: English

(only way)•Students emerged in

the language

the same L1easy switch to L1Ss emerged in L1

EFL vs. ESL Textbooks

•focus on LA standard

•literature elements

•focus on understanding &using

social language

• few literature elements

EFL vs. ESL Textbooks

•American spelling, vocabulary,

& pronunciation

•Focus on languageaccuracy 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 experiences in Romania did not

prepare me at all for:

•Teaching Ss with adifferent L1

•Teaching literature

My Romanian teaching prepared me well for:

•Small groups

•Teaching grammar

•Following pacing guide

Teaching in Romania &U.S.

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 Romanian teaching prepared me well for:

•PIG work

•Work with differentlanguage proficiencies

•Using some technology

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 picturesand things from here

I can use some of the materials I used

New Words!book of stamps

hubby

A day/ B day

roster

chicken pattie

condos

police trap

sub (sandwich& Substitute)

bagle

single filedry run

New Words

I used to say/spell…

Trousers Pants

Mum Mom

Full stop Period

Colour Color

Behaviour Behavior

My exciting experience continues…

Thank you!

QUESTIONS?

Contact:

Elena Andrei

Email: elaiancu@yahoo.com