On November 12-14, 2021, Comrat State University https://kdu.md/ hosted a training on Writing and Youth Tech, part of the Youth Voices Conveyed Through Written and Spoken Word Project, supported and funded by the US Department of State and implemented by representatives of the English and German Philology Department https://www.facebook.com/Catedra-de-filologie-englez%C4%83-%C8%99 i-german%C4%83-1963363077320719/ of “Alecu Russo” Bălți State University https://usarb.md/, Bălți American Center https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=american%20center%20b%C4%83l%C8%9Bi, SAFE Media Space https://www.facebook.com/Safe-Media-Space-Balti-100330079004047 and the representatives of the Department of Foreign Languages https://kdu.md/ .
The project aims to boost young people’s self-confidence, to express their identity, market their skills and make their voices heard. Within the framework of the project, beneficiaries develop 21st century skills, which empower them to convey their personal voices through communication, collaboration, creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving, enabling them to become committed and outspoken community members able to integrate and take an active part in the life of their community.
On the first day of the training (November 12, 2021), 40 project beneficiaries: teachers and students from Comrat State University, the Department of Foreign Languages https://kdu.md/ , school teachers and students from Comrat, Congaz, Ciadir - Lunga, Vulcanesti, Cismichioi and Taraclia took an active part in this training. Dr. Natalia Gașițoi, Rector of “Alecu Russo” Bălți State University and Dr. Serghei Zaharia, Rector of Comrat State University, Dr. Sofia Sulac, Head of Foreign Languages Department and the project staff greeted the participants and wished them a lot of commitment and inspiration to carry out all the activities. Silvia Bogdan, the project coordinator, and Ludmila Raciula, project staff member from Bălți State University taught the participants the steps and techniques of creating a personal bio, writing a CV/ resume and a cover letter.
On the second day (November 13, 2021), an Agreement of Collaboration and Partnership was signed between two academic communities: Comrat State University and “Alecu Russo” Bălți State University. Later on, Ana Muntean, project staff member, continued the training actively engaging beneficiaries in conveying their personal voice in creative writing, whereas Silvia Bogdan guided them to create their own personal stories. Ludmila Raciula familiarized the participants with Google Slides and bitmoji, providing the necessary tips in creating an e - book. Emma Lane, ETA, US Fulbright Program, taught the participants to make short videos about themselves.
The final day of the training (November 14, 2021), was very engaging and fruitful. Beneficiaries had the opportunity to put into practice the knowledge acquired, working successfully in pairs and in teams, designing creative and personalized e - books. They displayed and presented their final products: bios, resumes, cover letters and videos which carried the imprint of their personal brand.
The implementing team: Silvia Bogdan, project coordinator, Dina Puiu, project assistant, Ludmila Raciula, project assistant, Ana Muntean, project assistant and Emma Lane, Fulbright ETA, are well-qualified faculty staff who have a lot of experience in organizing and carrying out trainings, workshops, teacher professional development activities and scientific events. The project team did their best to make the training a success.
The host organizers of such a great and wonderful event, Ph.D. Sofia Sulac, the Head of the Department of Foreign Languages of CSU and Aliona Curdoglo, EFL/ESL Teacher, Project Methodologist, express their gratitude to the project team for their enthusiasm, initiative, hard work, and for sharing their knowledge and experience with all the beneficiaries.
