This unusual project involved the creation of a new course for Romanian schools, in English, which supported the Romanian National Curriculum for Personal Education and Career Guidance. It also embraced aspects of the UK’s National Curriculum for Citizenship Education.

Client, stakeholders, partners

• Ministry of Education
• Centre for Global Education, York St John University College

Focus

• English for Specific Purposes
• Integration of citizenship education and ELT
• Textbook reform

The project
The project aimed to raise young people’s awareness of citizenship issues at local, national and global levels, to develop their intercultural competence with a focus on language and communication for democratic citizenship, and to increase their confidence in taking appropriate action for the protection of democratic principles and practices within their communities, including participation in NGO activities. It involves attitudes and skills that are crucial for 21st century life: identity, learning to learn, learning to live together, and responsibility for personal well-being and professional development, environmental protection, social protection and sustainable development. The lessons are based on Articles from the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The project develops skills in English to support global, intercultural communication, involving developing values and attitudes that help students connect their national and personal dimensions with an understanding of, and respect for, the linguistic and cultural diversity of the people with whom they will interact in their lives.
The project involves the integration of citizenship education and English language learning and is therefore an example of Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL).
The project developed a CD-ROM which includes two sets of materials for a course in education for democratic citizenship: Together, the English version and Împreuna, the Romanian version.

By the end of 2008 the project had reached 1,000 people, and the numbers were growing through the teacher training programmes developed by the British Council in co-operation with the Ministry of Education.

What the stakeholders say

• 'It’s the most useful training tool in democratic citizenship that we have come across in our work. The range of topics is impressive and the quality of the texts and case studies is seminal. It should be used outside the classroom, in all governmental and non-governmental educational institutions.' Representative of the NGO 'My Community'.
• 'The textbook "Together" contains the most real lessons that we have learnt. I’m thinking of inviting people from the Town Hall to work with us on our environmental project. And of using the ideas in this textbook. We could also contact NGOs in the UK.' V. G., a student responsible for the ‘Green Spot’ school project.

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