This document summarizes the 2014 ETRC Spring School for teachers of English as a Foreign Language that took place from March 6-8, 2014 in Chisinau, Moldova. The objectives of the school were to discuss how technology can assist English teachers, recognize traditional and alternative teaching techniques, practice ready-made activities, compare pedagogical models, outline language learning strategies, and discover facts about St. Patrick's Day. Fifty-eight participants from 13 communities with varying years of teaching experience attended presentations from 12 presenters. Participants provided positive feedback and suggested future session topics like activities based on curriculums, teaching beginners, and developing students' speaking and writing skills.

1. 2014 ETRC Spring School
for teachers of English as a Foreign Language
March 6 – 8, 2014
Chisinau, Moldova, Str. Ion Creanga 1, Block 1, Room 302
(373)022 50-88-16 (phone); www.etrc.md
E-mail: www.etrc.md@gmail.comE-mail: meta.moldova@gmail.com

2. Objectives:
1. To discuss how modern technology can
assist an English teacher;
2. To recognize traditional and
alternative techniques in teaching
reading, writing, listening and
speaking;
3. To practice ready-made activities;
4. To compare different pedagogical
models used in EFL instruction;
5. To outline the importance of language
learning strategies;
6. To discover interesting facts about St.
Patrick’s Day in the usa ;

3. 58 registered participants came
from 13 communities:
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
72%
5% 4%2%

4. 18%
41%
24%
12%
5%
Years of teaching experience
1-5 years 6-10 years 11-17 years 18-30 years over 30 years

5. ETRC
Presenters
D. Aftenev-
Minca, American
Councils
E. Smith,
Senior ELF
R. Breault,
Fulbright
L. Nederita,
“G. Calinescu”
S. Lungu,
“M. Eminescu”
O. Aminian, ELF
M. Calchei, Moldova
State University
P. Harlan,
Peace Corps.
Volunteer
C. Cernei,
“O. Ghibu”
T. Schneider, Peace
Corps. Volunteer
V. Diaconu, “P.
Stefanuca”
V. Tabureanu, ALC instructor

8. Feedback analysis

9. 0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
graded for 8 graded for 9 graded for 10
preparation
usefullness
74%
67%
17%
24%9%
9%
How do
you
appreciate
the sessions
during the
training?

10. Topics for future sessions
(suggested by participants)
• Activities based on SCHOOL curriculum, others are useless
• Topics for primary school children
• More ideas on teaching beginners – adults (policemen, doctors, who do not know English)
• American places of interest + Civilization topics
• English Speaking Countries
• Teaching grammar
• Exams: BAC 9th form
• Oral examinations: ways of implementation
• Developing speaking skills
• Poems in teaching EFL, speaking
• Project work and developing students’ creative abilities
• Activities to encourage writing
• Essay writing: activities, assignments, structure
• Teaching methods and techniques
• How to write a good lesson plan + long term planning (recent demands)
• Evaluation of pupils’ competences (practical chart, percentage)
• Shakespeare’s Sonnets
• English literature

11. Wishes and Suggestions
• Save pp presentations on everyone’s sticks +
provide handouts from pp
• To all participants disks with all presentations
and materials at the end
• Less theory, more practical lessons / activities
• To include more OUR teachers as presenters
• To organize similar seminars for teachers-to-
be: how to do things to become a good
English teacher