We recognize and cultivate the potential of Moldovan citizens by providing valuable intercultural academic and professional development opportunities. For 20 years in Moldova Anniversary Event Report AMERICAN COUNCILS MOLDOVA Chișinău, Moldova
We recognize and cultivate the
potential of Moldovan citizens by
providing valuable intercultural
academic and professional
development opportunities.
For 20 years in Moldova
Anniversary Event Report
AMERICAN COUNCILS MOLDOVA
Chișinău, Moldova
AC Moldova 20th Anniversary Event
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American Councils Moldova Anniversary Event
Report Brief
Date: February 22, 2013
Location: American Councils Moldova office, Kogalniceanu 76, Chisinau, Moldova and 6
cities around the country;
Participants: 163 registered participants attended the event organized in Chisinau and over 400
were involved in the regional flash mobs;
Countrywide representation: NGOs, alumni, educators, teachers and students from more than
10 regions around Moldova attended the event;
Presenters: 10 American Councils Moldova staff members delivered welcome speeches,
offered information on teaching methodologies and professional development opportunities for
Moldovan educators, moderated various workshops and trainings and taught English as part of
two demo lessons.
Volunteers: 7 volunteers: FLEX alumni and local staff helped organize and run the event
Honorary alumni: 14 alumni of various exchange programs administered by American
Councils Moldova received recognition diplomas from Country Director David Jesse
Special Guests: US Embassy, IREX Moldova, Pro-Europa NGO, Radio Moldova, Always
Together NGO, Ministry of Education
Participants feedback: all participants were requested to fill out an online survey to share their
impressions and suggestions with American Councils organizers.
AC Moldova 20th Anniversary Event
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California (2nd floor) 10.45-11.45
Useful tips for taking TOEFL, SAT and IELTS
exams Workshop
Dorina Calinovscaia American Language Center
Director of Studies
12.00—12.15 Welcome speech
American Councils Moldova Country Director
David Jesse
12.15-12.30 American Councils
Moldova 2012 Annual Report
Daniela Munca-Aftenev LFP/OW Program Officer
12.30-13.00 Most Active American
Councils Moldova Alumni Awards ceremony
David Jesse American Councils Moldova
Country Director
13.00-13.30 Launching the ”Modern
Trends Resources for Teachers Modern Languages” Journal.
Authors presentations: Daniela Munca-Aftenev
Best Moldovan Brands: Facebook Group Project for Business English
intermediate level students
13.30- 14.00 Overview of Online TESOL
Certification Courses
Marina Chirnițcaia ALC Instructor
14.00-14.30 Creating a Capzles Student
Project
Olga Malcov ALC Instructor
14.30-15.00 Teaching Advanced English
through news
Valeria Guivan ALC Instructor
15.00-15.30 Post-graduate studies in the UK: how, when and
why?
Irina Sîrbu ALC Instructor
LFP / OW Office (Texas) 13.45-14.15
LFP (Legislative Fellows Program) Presentation
Daniela Munca-Aftenev LFP/OW Program Officer
14.30-15.30 Project Writing
Seminar for Open World alumni
Daniela Munca-Aftenev LFP/OW Program Officer
Alaska 14.00-15.00
Non traditional methods of teaching Russian as a Second Language Workshop
Irina Spița ALC Instructor
14.00-15.00 English Demo Class for Beginners
Lisnic Anna Ludmila Dodul ALC Instructors
American Language Center Office (New York) 12.00-12.30
Presentation of American Language Center services for corporate clients Olga Burevschi, American Language Center Deputy Coordinator
Valeria Guivan, Extra Curriculum Projects Coordinator
AC Moldova 20th Anniversary Event
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AC Moldova 20th Anniversary Event
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Richard Ceka
American Councils Moldova volunteer
Student at State University of Moldova, Foreign Languages and Literatures Department
Lilian Golban
Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova, Faculty of Cybernetics, Statistics and Economic
Informatics, major - Applied Informatics
Anna Liusenco
Coursework in accounting, Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova, Chisinau, Moldova
Coursework in accounting, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, Wisconsin, USA
Global Undergraduate Exchange IREX Alumna
Coursework in Economics and Political Science at American Institute on Political and Economic
Systems, Prague, Czech Republic
Marina Ursachi
MA, Banking and Finance Administration (2012)
BA, Banking and Finances, Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova (2009-2012)
”Labor Economy” Course moderated by Peace Corps Volunteer, Ohad Sternberg (2011)
”Teaching Languages in the XXI Century”, International Conference Volunteer 2012
Nicu Gaibu
FLEX alumnus of 2012, has been to Colorado
is pushing degree in Marketing and Logistics at ASEM
Maxim Grama
Student at International Economic Relations, ASEM
FLEX alumnus of 2012, for a year lived in Texas
Daniela Danuța
12th
grade student at ”Mihai Eminescu” Lyceum in Anenii Noi
FLEX alumna of 2012, spent her exchange year in South Carolina
VOLUNTEERS
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David Jesse
American
Councils Moldova
Country Director
Fulbright (U.S. State Department)
B.A. Psychology at University of Kansas
Worked as an Instructor at Iowa State
University
Worked for Peace Corps - Moldova
(Community & Organizational
Development )
Senior Instructor at Outward Bound
Romania
Welcome speech
Most Active American
Councils Moldova Alumni
Awards ceremony
Daniela Munca-
Aftenev American
Councils
Moldova
Executive
Director
PhD in English Language and Literature,
Alexandru Ioan Cuza, University,
Romania (2001-2004)
MA in Education, University of
Mississippi, USA (2006-2008)
US Alumni Association President (2009-
2011)
American Councils Moldova
2012 Annual Report
Launching the ”Modern Trends
Resources for Teachers Modern
Languages” Journal.
LFP (Legislative Fellows
Program) Presentation
Project Writing Seminar for Open
World alumni
Olga Burevschi
Deputy
Coordinator of
the American
Language Center
Bachelor Degree in French and English
Language Teaching
Master of Arts in Educational
Management
Presentation of American
Language Center services for
corporate clients
Dorina
Calinovscaia
Director of
Studies
ALC Instructor
Bachelor Degree in Teaching English and
Interpreting
Bachelor Degree in Linguistics and
Teaching Russian
Teaching certificate issued by Open
World House
Summer courses at the School for
International Training in Vermont, USA
Cambridge Certificate in Teaching
English to Speakers of Other Languages
( CELTA)
Useful tips for taking TOEFL,
SAT and IELTS exams
Workshop
Marina
Chirnițcaia
ALC Instructor
MA in American Studies, Moldova State
University
Online TESOL/TEFL Certification
Courses, USA
Scientific research at the Jagiellonian
University in Krakow, Poland
Teacher Development Summer School,
Ivano-Frankovsk, Ukraine
International Teacher Development
IATEFL Conferences, Ukraine
International Conferences TESOL-
Ukraine, Kamianets-Podilsky
Overview of Online TESOL
Certification Courses
PRESENTERS
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Valeria Guivan
Extra
Curriculum
Projects
Coordinator,AL
C Instructor
Alecu Russo Balti State University,
Bachelor in English and French
Languages
Teaching experience: 12 years
Advanced English through news
Presentation of American
Language Center services for
corporate clients
Anna Lisnic
ALC Instructor University Lecturer at State Pedagogical
University ”Ion Creangă”
BA in Romanian and English Language
Philology, Ion Creanga University,
Chisinau
Global UGRAD Alumna, Bethany
College, Lindsborg, KS, USA
Internship at Lindsborg Middle School,
USA
Romanian Language Instructor at “Mihai
Eminescu” lyceum, Chisinau
English Language Instructor at Lexic-
GROUP, Bălţi
English Demo Class for
Beginners
Olga Malcov
ALC Instructor Master Degree in English Philology
Teaching Experience: 7 years Graduate of
the "Developing EFL Literacy Through
Project-Based Learning" training,
American English Institute, University of
Oregon
iEARN Certificate of participation in the
workshop integrating Moldovan teachers
in iEARN Network
Creating a Capzles Student
Project Teaching
Irina Sîrbu
ALC Instructor
MA in Teaching English, University of
Oxford, Oxford shire
Post-graduate studies in the UK:
how, when and why?
Irina Spița
ALC Instructor Master's Degree in Russian Filology, State
University of Moldova
Bachelor's Degree in Russian and English
Filology
Teacher of Russian language in Chamber
of Commerce
Teacher of English language in private
school "Petrenco"
Teacher of English in "Titu Maiorescu"
school
Teacher of English in "Dmitrie Cantemir"
school
Clipa Siderala NGO, Children summer
camp, chief tutor
Nontraditional methods of
teaching Russian as a Second
Language Workshop
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PARTICIPANTS REGIONAL REPRESENTATION
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1. What is your overall evaluation of the anniversary event organized by American Councils Moldova on February 22, 2013?
answered question
skipped question
39 0
Response
Percent Response
Count
Excellent 25.6% 10
Very good 48.7% 19
Good 20.5% 8
Satisfactory 2.6% 1
Low 0.0% 0
Unsatisfactory 0.0% 0
Comments 2.6% 1
A very good event, but the space was too little
2. Which part of the anniversary event did you find most useful? Why?
answered question
skipped question
38 1
Response
Percent Response
Count
Workshop on taking TOEFL, SAT and IELTS international tests 36.8% 14
Welcome speech - David Jesse, Country Director 23.7% 9
American Councils Moldova annual report – Daniela Munca-Aftenev, LFP/OW Coordinator
28.9% 11
PARTICIPANTS FEEDBACK
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2. Which part of the anniversary event did you find most useful? Why?
Best Moldovan Brands – Intermediate Business English lesson plan, Daniela Munca-Aftenev
26.3% 10
Creating student made projects using the online platform Capzels, Olga Malcov
13.2% 5
Integrating news in advanced English classes, Valeria Guivan 28.9% 11
Basics of online TESOL certification courses, Marina Chirnițcaia
21.1% 8
Post graduate opportunities for Moldovan educators 13.2% 5
Workshop on project writing for Open World and LFP alumni from Moldova, Daniela Munca-Aftenev
26.3% 10
Demo class – Beginners English, Anna Lisnic 21.1% 8
Non standards methods of teaching Russian as a foreign language, Irina Spița
5.3% 2
Comments 13
First of all, I would like to thank you for the invitation. Unfortunately, I didn't have the opportunity to be present at all your activities, so I can't say too much, still, I would like to mention the activity presented by Daniela Munca -Aftenef on "Best Moldavian Brands". It was really a great, interesting presentation.It was noticeable that the teacher is a master of her profession.Perfect pronunciation, fluent speech,lively, entusiastic voice.Daniela did well ,because she could capture our attention and what is more she got us involved in the discussion, I am sure , I 'll try to organize a debate with my students about our brands and I will make use of your ideas :). I also want to mention the activity "Teaching Advanced English through news", presented by Valeria Gutvan,I have also got some ideas of presenting the news in a new way. :)
3/3/2013 9:11 PM
It's community social responsible. It's interactive for the students and develops quite well the communicative skills. easily the teacher achieves the goals and there is a good feedback at the end. It's a great job done.
2/28/2013 1:07 PM
All workshops were organized at the highest level – a lot of innovative ideas and a very energetic team of moderators and presenters. Way to go! 2/26/2013 5:30 PM
AC Moldova 20th Anniversary Event
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3. What would you recommend American Councils Moldova organizing team?
Everything was excellent! My only comment would be related to the room for participants – next time find a bigger office.
3/4/2013 9:38 AM
I would like to recommend to all the organizers to be more confident in what they are doing.Try to find a larger room for so many guests. :) To all the organizers- I wish great success in your activities.
3/3/2013 9:11 PM
A lot of participants, a lot of useful information, but too little room
3/1/2013 11:14 PM
I wish you good luck and try to organize more often different events, I think most of us would like to participate with pleasure
3/1/2013 2:39 PM
I would love to participate in more similar events in the future, so please keep us informed
3/1/2013 8:22 AM
We need more events like the one you organized
2/28/2013 6:03 PM
Keep it up.
2/28/2013 1:07 PM
Keep doing such a wonderful job!
2/28/2013 12:10 AM
Please invite governmental officials to your events – they should see how many wonderful educational projects you administer in Moldova
2/28/2013 12:00 AM
I was impressed with the young, energetic team of American Councils Molodva.
2/27/2013 8:19 PM
I really loved the demo lessons – please organize more similar lessons in the future
2/26/2013 10:05 PM
A very good event, everything was interesting and useful
2/26/2013 9:57 PM
Please find a bigger space and organize more similar events
2/26/2013 5:39 PM
More workshops of this kind
2/26/2013 5:30 PM
More events like this one in the future
2/26/2013 4:54 PM
The event made us all very happy!
2/26/2013 4:05 PM
Everything was very well organized
2/26/2013 1:51 PM
Next time invite both teachers and students. They would love to learn more about the educational opportunities offered by American Councils
2/26/2013 1:44 PM
Please organize similar events more often
2/26/2013 1:14 PM
You are doing a wonderful job in Moldova! Good luck!
2/26/2013 12:38 AM
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Liliana Palihovici
Deputy Speaker of
Moldovan Parliament
Vice-president of the Liberal
Democratic Party of
Moldova
Olga Melniciuc
President at JCI Moldova,
social entrepreneur.
Victor Koroli
Executive Director
of Alliance of Access to
Information and Training
Community Centers of
Moldova AITCCM Moldova
Nicolae Dandis
Pro-Europa NGO Director,
Cahul
1. Bahanov Victor
2. Esanu Marina
3. Sepeleva Alina
4. Chercheja Luminița
5. Rotareanu Elena
Lazari Alexei
Chief of the SAEPAS unit at the
Ministry of Justice of Moldova
MOST ACTIVE ALUMNI
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Veronica Neagu
Professor, PhD (Philology)
Vice Rector at the Institute of International Relations of
Moldova (IRIM)
Visiting scholar in a number of Western universities (France, USA, UK)
Nicoleta Dvornicov FLEX'11
Maxim Grama
FLEX'12
Nicoleta Nichifor FLEX'12
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As part of American Councils Moldova 20th Anniversary program, FLEX Moldova alumni community
launched the “Effective Teaching and Classroom Management for To-be Teachers of English” Project. The
six-week long training for current 3rd and 4th year foreign languages students was organized to offer
professional development opportunities for those planning to start a career in teaching English. Project trainers
list American Language Center instructors, Muskie alumni, Fulbright scholars, as well as lecturers from
Moldovan universities.
The Project was officially opened with a welcome speech by David Jesse, American Councils Country Director
who talked about the role of educators, self-motivation and modern students profiles. The list of topics covered
by the training, which will end on the 30th of March, includes the following:
Professional ethics and teacher-student relationship
Class management and discipline
Communication, motivation and class participation
Self-evaluation, reflection and time management
Teaching basics for a novice teacher
Identifying and understanding the needs of a learner and learning styles and how this
understanding can maximize learning
Thinking Skills – what are they and how to inculcate them throughout the classroom
Active learning – methodologies to make teaching more interactive, involving and more
meaningful
Cooperative learning – how to get the best out of peer to peer interactions and to multiply
learning using groups
Lesson planning and teacher’s resources: following curriculum and finding a balance
between required and additional material
FLEX Moldova Alumni Community Anniversary Event
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To celebrate American Councils 20th anniversary Access Micro-
scholarship Program participants and alumni organized the
“Access Youth in Action” Flash mob in 6 regions around Moldova.
On February 22nd, 3p.m. 6 groups of teenagers joined by a total of
almost 400 participants, gathered simultaneously in Ungheni, Balti,
Cahul, Comrat, Chisinau and Varnita/Bender to encourage
Moldovan youth look for opportunities to study, such as those
offered by American Councils and all its exchange programs: Open
World, LFP, Carnegie, FLEX.
The event was advertised through a promotional video
posted on our web site and popular social networks.
Each region organized the event in a special way, delivering a
unique message through dance performances, posters, flags
and thematic songs.
In Ungheni participants formed the puzzle USA flag as a sign
of gratitude for the US Embassy for the opportunity to study
English within Access Micro scholarship Program.
In Chisinau 45 teenagers from “Mihai Eminescu” Lyceum drew posters on the importance of education
which included American Councils programs logos and created handmade paper bracelets displaying
messages such as such messages as “Be Active!”, “Get Involved!”, “Study More”.
In Balti the event took place simultaneously in two places: “Vasile
Alecsandri” Lyceum and the center of the city. 25 teenagers and
primary school children joined by 20 Access students distributed
flags and posters with the American Councils symbols and logos.
Varnita/Bender group prepared posters with different educational
and motivational messages such as “We have a chance to have a
good future, that's why we learn English at the American Councils” or
"ACCESS makes you understand that only together people represent a
very strong power".
In Cahul over 150 participants lit Sky Lanterns carrying names
of one of the educational programs administered by American
Councils in Moldova.
In Comrat Access students distributed posters on educational
opportunities offered by American Councils Moldova. The
event was a real success and received attention from local
mass media.
Access Micro scholarship Anniversary Event Access Youth in Action country wide flash mob
AC Moldova 20th Anniversary Event
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Valentina Cornescu, Varnita/Bender-Access assistant: “Participating in a flash mob celebrating 20 years of American Councils was a pleasure for us. We were all so
excited about this idea. It was fun to do something absolutely new for us. Our flash mob was a result of
strong friendship and created a shiny atmosphere.”
Cristian Morozan, the 4th grade student, “Mihai Eminescu” Lyceum: “The Access Youth in Action Flash mob was a new experience for me with a lot of fun and joy. I liked dancing.
It was a real cooperation between 4th grade and 12th grade students from our school. Now I feel more
inspired to learn English and to participate in interesting programs administered by American Councils.”
Michael Filipenco, Access Assistant, Cahul: “The event was full of magic as for 30 minutes people of different ages were approaching us and asked how
to get involved in lighting the lanterns. Everybody felt so inspired because of the magic atmosphere we
created. It looked like the American Councils appeared to be a flame for all those who dreamed to follow the
path of wisdom of light. Thank you for the opportunity!”.
Participants’ feedback:
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AC Moldova 20th Anniversary Event
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Olga Morozan, Access Micro-scholarship Program Coordinator in Moldova
Retcu Diana, Access Program Teacher, Ungheni
Ceban Corina, Access Program Teacher, Balti
PhD Studies in Social Psychology Post-Graduation Master Studies
majoring in Social Psychology "Ion Creanga" Pedagogical State
University majoring in Psychology 18 years of experience of teaching
English
Graduated "A. Russo" Balti State University
2nd didactic degree Teaching in “V.Alecsandri”
Lyceum, Ungheni, Has been teaching English for 16
years Local coordinator and English
instructor of American Language Center, Ungheni.
Graduated "A. Russo" Balti State University
1st didactic degree Teaching in “V.Alecsandri” Lyceum,
Bălţi Teaching experience – 12 years
Natalia Nacioglo, Access Program Teacher, Comrat
Aliona Bragaru, Access Program Teacher, Cahul
Nadejda Tucicova, Access Program Teacher, Varnita/Bender
graduated Comrat State University
lecturer at Comrat State University
has been teaching for 13 years
Graduated Cahul State University
2nd didactic degree, "M.Eminescu ” Theoretical
Lyceum Cahul Teaching experience- 7 years Local coordinator and
English instructor of American Language Center, Cahul
Graduated Moldovan State University 2nd didactic degree; Teaching in “ Alexandru cel Bun”
lyceum , Bender Teaching experience -9 years
Ana Scerbatii, Access Program Teacher Assistant, Ungheni. FLEX alumna, 12th form student , “Vasile
Alecsandri’ lyceum, Ungheni
Mihail Filipenco, Access assistant, Flex Alumnus, Cahu, 12th grade student, ‘S. Rumeantev” lyceum, Cahul
Valentina Cornescu, Access Program Teacher Assistant, Varnita/Bender, 11th grade student, “Alexandru cel Bun” lyceum, Bender
Ionela Carp, Access Program Teacher Assistant, Balti, FLEX alumna , 1st year student , “Alecu Russo” Balt State University
Iana Basarab, Access Program Teacher Assistant, Comrat, 10th grade student, “Mihai Eminescu” Lyceum , Comrat
ACCESS FLASH MOB COORDINATORS
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Media Coverage