A brief history

The need to know and master the Romanian language constitutes, undoubtedly, a vital imperative for the communication relation that foreign medical students should develop with patients from the Republic of Moldova.

Romanian Language in Medical Context course support can be seen as a natural continuation of the previously developed course materials and is intended for students who have already formed communicative skills for beginner and intermediate levels.

Romanian language learning by foreign students is envisaged to be organized according to well-defined objectives: mastering the medical language, implicitly the medical terminology; applying the rules of literary language in professional written and spoken communication; writing specialized texts.

Coordinator: A. Chiriac. Romanian Language in Medical Context (for medical students).

Chisinau: Editorial-Poligrafic Medicina, 2020. ISBN 978-9975-82-179-7.

Representatives of the Department of Romanian Language and Medical Terminology of Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy of the Republic of Moldova participated, on May 17 and 18, in the 5th edition of the International Conference Didactics -  Tradition, Present Time, Prospects for the Future, which took place at December 1, 1918 University of Alba Iulia, Romania.

The conference started with a plenary session, at which representatives of various institutions presented reports and gave speeches focusing on the topic of the event.

During the forum, three workshops were held on the topics: Foreign Language Didactics and Communication; Didactics of Socio-Human Sciences and Didactics of Pre-university Education. Also, three workshops were organized: Teacher - Creator of Learning Experiences; Journey into the World of Ideas and the Story-experiment and its Practical Application in Didactic Activity.

Members of our university’s department (A. Chiriac, S. Spînu, V. Vîntu, A. Lopatiuc, A. Busuioc, I. Driga, Sv. Cravcenco, G. Ciubotaru, T. Trebeș, M. Pruteanu, N. Bâlici, O Melnic and E. Ștefârța) presented papers, to be published in a two-volume book.

"A good education makes the world a better place, because, beyond the teaching of knowledge, education deals with what we call consciousness, attitude, character, and lifestyle. That is why organizing and participating in this conference is an opportunity for teachers to increase the quality of the educational process by exchanging ideas, suggestions, teaching materials and, last but not least, sharing professional experiences,” specified Argentina Chiriac, associate professor, head of the Department of Romanian Language and Medical Terminology.

The scientific event was organized by the Teaching Staff Training Department of Alba Iulia December 1, 1918 University in partnership with the Department of Romanian Language and Medical Terminology of Nicolae Testemitanu University, Holy Cross University of Kielce (Poland), Penza State University (Russian Federation) and the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca (Romania).

Vocabulary and Grammar Exercise Book (A1-A2 levels) is intended for both beginners and students who know the language at an intermediate level, but want to enrich or refresh their knowledge of Romanian language.

Starting from the types of competencies to be formed and from the educational contents, the material presented in this paper is structured in 12 modules. The Vocabulary and Grammar sections of this Exercise Book outline the language skills training activities at an early stage for a well-defined target group, namely, medical students.

On the eve of International Children's Day, June 1st, local students, foreign language students and foreign students of Medicine and Dentistry faculties managed to raise a rainbow of light and color for the children of the Oncological Hospital (Oncohematology and Pediatric Oncology units), and on May 30 – for those from Blessed Joseph Children's Home in Chisinau, on May 31, communicating with them in the language of song, stories and play.

https://trm.md/en/social/zambete-pe-chipurile-la-mai-multi-copii-bolnavi

Leonid Cobâleanschi - rector and prominent scholar known for his modesty and high moral values. The community of Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy of the Republic of Moldova paid tribute to illustrious scientist Leonid Cobâleanschi, prominent figure in local medicine and former rector of the institution, on the occasion of 80 years since the birthday and 25 years since the passing into eternity of the distinguished professor. On December 5, 2019, the Romanian Language Discipline within the Department of Romanian and Modern Languages ​​organized a cultural event entitled Leonid Cobâleanschi - Rector and Prominent Scholar Known for His Modesty and High Moral Values, attended by representatives of the institution’s administration, family members, friends, colleagues and students.

http://trm.md/ro/social/medicul-savant-leonid-cobalenschi-comemorat-la-universitatea-de-medicina?fbclid=IwAR2MJJu_MrqAob3grX-knZoft8KZ0X4tg8pCP2jXWWUHUQrmLps-IlYyBXM

On October 29, 2019, the university community marks 80 years since the birth of illustrious scientist Leonid Cobâleanschi, a prominent figure in local medicine, rector of Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy of the Republic of Moldova, and on December 8, 2019 - 25 years since the passing into eternity of the distinguished professor.

On this occasion, the Romanian Language Discipline, Department of Romanian and Modern Languages ​​of our university, launches the following contests:

1.  A poem dedicated to Professor Leonid Cobâleanschi.

2. Speeches on the topic The Message that Doctor, Scientist and Rector Leonid Cobâleanschi Would Have Addressed to Medical Students.

In 2018, The Art of The Word – Medicine for Soul language circle started its weekly activity. Various categories of first and second-year students from all faculties (Medicine 1, Medicine 2, Dentistry and Pharmacy) participate in it.

The organizers of this cultural-artistic circle aim to achieve the following objectives:

1. development of skills and abilities to consolidate the existing level of knowledge of Romanian language,

2. development of language acquisition and use of Romanian language in various communication situations.

Improving fluency in communication will make students enter the network of reciprocal interpersonal relationships, developing empathy and stimulating the ability to identify new ideas.

Audio workbook. Based on medical dialogues (with audio support). CEP MEDICINA, Chisinau, 2017. Coordinator A. Chiriac.

The Audio Exercise Book based on medical dialogues is intended for second-year medical students who have already acquired language skills for the beginner and intermediate level (according to the European Framework of Reference for Languages, levels A1-A2). The Audio Exercise Book was developed in collaboration with members of the profile departments.

The material presented in this paper is structured according to communication situations, which facilitates the training of students as regards the development of logical thinking, possibilities of expressing themselves and confidence in their own abilities. Students are motivated to self-assess and enrich their knowledge, while training their ability to use dialogue for clear, coherent communication.

Romanian language. Dental Vocabulary (with video support). A. Chiriac, T. Trebeș, V. Vîntu, A. Busuioc. Print-Caro, Chisinau, 2017.

Romanian Language textbook. The Dental Terms with video support is intended for students from the Dentistry Faculty who are to master the Romanian language at the B1-B2 level. This manual is based on CECRL developed by the European Commission and contains structures of the Romanian language, specific to these levels of linguistic competence (comprehension, communication, writing), focusing on the essential methodological notions for optimizing the study of Romanian as a foreign language by speakers of other languages. All actions of both the teacher and the student are focused on streamlining the process of teaching / learning the Romanian language by students. The teaching is based on functional-communication training method.

On October 24 and 25, 2017, the Congress of Internal Medicine, third edition, took place. Medical students Manuel Haig Dikran Philippe (gr. M 1535), Gitsis Matan Alexander (gr. M 1535), Abu Amer Ward Rabia (gr. M 1537), Namarneh Yara Muhammad (gr. M 1657), trained by professors Chiriac A., associate professor, PhD in pedagogy, and Trebeș T., assistant professor, prepared the communication Nicolae Testemitanu – World-renowned Medical Scientist and Promoter of Romanian Language and performed the song Prayer for Doctors. Students urged the congress participants to follow the advice of professor Testemitanu and his wife: “We have to hurry up to do good things in this world, to live and create for the people!”

For local medicine and for the entire academic community of Nicolae Testemitanu University, 2017 had a special significance. It was dedicated to N. Testemitanu, doctor, scientist, and statesman who proved to us all that medicine is an art which has its roots in the human heart.     

Professor N. Testemitanu was a man with a strong sense of duty, it was he who reformed and strengthened the local medicine and educated valuable professionals and scientists in the field of medicine. On this occasion, the Department of Romanian Language and Medical Terminology organized a contest of poetry and speeches dedicated to the renowned scientist.

On May 19, 2016, the Department of Romanian Language and Medical Terminology, together with over 120 medical students organized a charity event for the orphans at Blessed Joseph Children's Home.

Together with students, teachers, but also people of good faith, we organized for the little ones from Blessed Joseph orphanage a celebration of the soul. Foreign and local students presented an artistic program, which included a recital of song and poetry. They paid homage to the Romanian writers and poets: I. Creangă, M. Eminescu, Gr. Vieru, V. Alecsandri and D. Matcovschi. In order to entertain the little ones, the students staged the most popular fairy tales, skillfully entering the role of beloved characters, thus bringing a lot of good cheer for the children. The children, in turn, performed an arts program with poems about mother and folk dances, which moved the entire audience to tears.

As a sign of archpriest gratitude, for the beneficial activity aimed at the glorification of the Orthodox Church of Moldova, Bishop of Ungheni and Nisporeni Petru decorated the Department of Romanian Language and Medical Terminology with the diocesan distinction Hîrbovăț Icon of the Mother of God.

We hope to follow this beautiful tradition in the future because a man is the sum of his actions.

Romanian Language. V. Vîntu, T. Trebeş, A. Lopatiuc. - CEP MEDICINA, Chisinau, 2014.

The manual is intended for English speakers (students, English series, first year, Nicolae Testemitanu University) and completes the teaching bibliography in the Republic of Moldova, given the lack of such work in the field of Romanian language teaching.

This manual is also a bibliographic source for self-learning (Romanian language is studied through English), the enrollment of foreign students studying in English at Nicolae Testemitanu University being a positive aspect. The use of this manual in higher education institutions is relevant due to its main objectives of verbal and written production.

Since October 25, 2013, the head of the department is Argentina Chiriac, PhD in pedagogy, associate professor.

Head of studies - Tatiana Trebeş,

university lecturer, PhD in philology.

Romanian Language. Medical Vocabulary (with grammatical and language cultivation support), part I. Eugenia Mincu, Argentina Chiriac, Silvia Nastasiu., Chisinau, 2012.

This textbook is intended for foreign language, local and international medical students, who acquired basic language support and general knowledge of medicine. The manual includes the Romanian Language and Medical Terminology course, envisaged for the second year of studies at Nicolae Testemitanu University. The manual offers topics for cultivating medical language, medical terminology, with in-depth knowledge of Romanian language, based on medical texts: anatomy, histology, physiology, clinic, etc.

In 2008, based on the University Senate Decision and order no. 418 A, the Department of Modern and Latin Languages split ​​into the Department of Modern Languages ​​(head of department - Larisa Lupu, PhD, university professor) and the Department of Romanian Language and Medical Terminology (head of department - Eugenia Mincu, PhD, associate professor, head of studies - Argentina Chiriac, PhD, associate professor).

Latin Language and the Basics of Medical Terminology. E. Mârza, E. Ştefârţa, R. Ghicavâi, R. Gladun, N. Negru. Chisinau, 2006.

The book gives medical students the possibility to acquire knowledge of Latin and medical terminology essential to the medical and pharmacist professions and to cultivate basic skills in order to apply them in practice.

Course of Lectures on Latin and Medical Terminology. Ghicavîi R., Mârza E., Ștefârță E., Chisinau, 2004.

Romanian Language. Medical Profile (with grammar and language cultivation support), E. Mincu, A. Chiriac. Litera Publishing House, Chisinau, 2003.

The fundamental objective of this manual is to develop the capacity of foreign language medical students to receive and acquire information in Romanian, with elements of medical terminology.

In 1986 the department restructured its activity according to its new name - Department of Latin Language and Medical Terminology, headed by Vasile Melnic, PhD in philology, university professor, member of the Scientific Councils of the State Department of Languages, member of the National Center of Terminology, member of the Romanian Language House, of the Commission for the supervision of the functioning of state language, member of the Editorial Board of Romanian Language magazine. The activity of the department (1986-1999) is directed towards the regulation of medical terminology at state level. Vasile Melnic capitalizes on the Latin language as the historical-etymological basis of Romanian language and medical terminology pursuant to the principle: "Non est medicina sine lingua Latina".

In 1973 the Department of Foreign Languages ​​is divided into the Department of Foreign Languages ​​and the Department of Latin Language and Mother Tongues. The late Mihai Păun, who promoted the study of medicine in the mother tongue, contributed to a great extent to the development of the Department of Latin and Mother Tongues, participating in the translation of textbooks (profile disciplines, Nicolae Testemitanu University) into Romanian; selected and carried out the etymological analysis of most common Greek-Latin medical terms, and systematized the Greek-Latin scholarly elements that underlie international medical terminology.

The department was established in 1947 and was originally called the Department of Foreign Languages.