Message from the organizers

To our distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – a very warm welcome!

A deep thank you to all our collaborators and sponsors who fully understood the importance of this event and the honour to host it here in the city on the shores of the Black Sea.

I feel extremely glad and privileged to welcome everyone to this much awaited event as it marks the 2nd edition of the International English Language Olympiad and it gives me immense pleasure to be standing in front of you all, amongst the most esteemed personalities, dedicated teachers and brilliant students from all over Europe.

Our city traces its history some 2,500 years ago, founded by Greek colonists. Constanța is today one of Romania's largest cities and an important cultural and economic centre, worth exploring for its archaeological treasures and the Old Town's architecture. Its historical monuments, ancient ruins, grand Casino, museums and shops, and proximity to beach resorts make it the focal point of Black Sea coast tourism.

Our city is the largest Black Sea port, the 4th largest (size) in Europe, after Rotterdam, Antwerp and Marseille, and the 16th busiest.

Constanța is more than just the entry point to the Black Sea coast. It is a place with a long and interesting past, attested by its many outstanding Greek and Roman vestiges, historic buildings, and colourful facades that are found in the Old City Centre, it stands for a mix of interculturality, understanding and coexistence, a model for all minorities existing here. One more reason to host such an event that brings together so many countries - with over 200 participants.

I wish you all a very pleasant stay, unforgettable experiences at the seaside and, last but not least, the best of luck to all participants. The mere fact that you are here already makes you a winner.

Sorin Mihai

General School Inspector

County School Inspectorate of Constanța

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Welcome everyone to Constanța, the citadel city on the shores of the Black Sea.

We are honoured to have the opportunity to open our doors and host an event of major importance for the language of Shakespeare - the International English Language Olympiad. I am personally proud to have been part of this project from the very beginning, alongside wonderful, dedicated and heartfelt people who served a common purpose.

“The main objective of the International English Language Olympiad is to encourage students with remarkable academic achievements in the study of English as a foreign language to further develop their linguistic and intercultural competences. The reference levels of I.E.L.O. correspond to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. The I.E.L.O. aims to assess communicative competence, namely oral/written message reception and production skills, as well as intercultural communication. The I.E.L.O. is open to high school/upper secondary school students in the public, private or confessional education systems.

Competitors must meet the following requirements:

They are between 14-18 years old (at the time the Olympiad is held);

They are non-native students who study/have studied English as a foreign language.

The International English Language Olympiad consists of two categories of compulsory

papers, individual papers and the team project.

The individual papers of the I.E.L.O. are:

Use of English;

Integrated Skills (comprehension of an audio-video material and essay writing);

Speaking.

Each individual paper is awarded a maximum number of points, as follows:

a – Use of English – 40 points;

b – Integrated skills – 60 points;

c – Speaking – 100 points.

The team project consists in creating a digital/multimedia/dramatized presentation of a scene which the team consider of particular relevance for the action of the novel specified in the bibliography for the respective level. (Each team is made of at least three students of the same level, which will be the team’s level). The project will be completed before the beginning of the I.E.L.O., as a team project.”

Constanța will be the host of the second edition of the International English Language Olympiad, which will bring together 200 participants from 15 countries enrolled in the competition. I.E.L.O will take place in between the 1st to the 8th of September.

We thank all our sponsors and collaborators who understood the importance of the event and who are with us in its successful achievement.

May the best win and the wonderful experiences lived here become unforgettable memories!

Bianca - Ionela Matei

Modern Languages School Inspector

County School Inspectorate of Constanța

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"Constantin Brǎtescu" National Pedagogical College from Constanța was established in 1893 when Take Ionescu, the then Minister of Religions and Public Instruction, signed the Order establishing the school, its purpose being to train teachers from Dobrudja.

In 1993, on the 100th anniversary of the establishment of “Constantin Brătescu" Normal School, the institution received the honorary title of "Constantin Brătescu" National Pedagogical College, the first National College in this part of the country. The Minister of Education at that time, Prof. Dr. Liviu Maior, appreciated "that the existence of the Normal School in Constanţa for so many decades was a valuable and perpetual source of refreshing the teaching and teaching staff in this Transdanubian part, especially, of the country, on the benches of the Tomitane Normal School forming, as well as hundreds of other specialists with medium and, later, higher education. Benefiting from professionals with recognized authority in the Dobrudjan teaching staff, in the public life of the city, devoted to the mission of shaping the personality of future teachers, Constanţa Normal School has established itself among the profile units in the country as one of the institutions not only with tradition, but also with, I am sure, a high and demanding responsibility in the school training of so many generations of students."

Starting with 1979, "Constantin Brătescu" National Pedagogical College was a training centre for educators and teachers from Constanța and Tulcea counties; more than 6,000 teaching staff were trained in the Centre.

“Constantin Brătescu” National Pedagogical College from Constanţa has won the European School title six times in a row, being the only institution in Dobrudja and one of the 4 schools in the country that have achieved this feat.

In the current context, the College has thus become a cultural landmark of Constanta that promotes quality education, performance, combining in a creative way innovation and tradition validated by an existence of more than 131 years old. Over time, the college has been the host of numerous national and international competitions and Olympiads organized under the auspices of the Ministry of Education.

Prof. Dr. Anamaria Ciobotaru 

Principal

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Gheorghe Țițeica School has a long and proud tradition as a primary/secondary school.  It is here that for more than 50 years we have been building a community that honours the past, values the present and looks toward the future.

Named after the famous mathematician Gheorghe Țițeica, our school is one of Constanța’s leading state schools, its reputation being built on remarkable examination results, an ethos of equality and openness to students of all social and ethnic backgrounds. With 1500 students, the school offers a wide variety of optional courses as well as classes with intensive English language study.

Our pupils are actively involved in a multitude of projects and programmes such as Junior Achievement, e-Twinning, AIESEC – ‘Discover – a world without borders’, ‘Read for the record’, World Space Week. We also maintain an ongoing partnership with British Council organizing Cambridge Examinations for KET and PET, with our school being an Advantage Premium Plus Member. Additionally, our students participate in volunteering projects meant to teach about altruism and generosity, helping them practice and develop their social skills. In recognition of the extensive involvement in volunteering activities, our school has received the special prize of the ‘Institution of the year’ three times.

At Gheorghe Țițeica School we believe in working in partnership with parents and the local community. We strive to prepare each pupil to live respectfully and responsibly in a global community while reaching their full potential.

It is a great pleasure to welcome you to our school, and it is an honour to host the written papers of the International English Language Olympiad. We wish all participants the best of luck and hope you enjoy your time in Constanța!

PhD. Marinica Târziu

Principal