Mastering the basics of foreign language conversation is easier than you think. In this course, you will learn how to ask simple questions, talk about yourself, make enquiries and socialise. By the end of the course, with proper application and home practise, you should be able to make yourself understood by a native speaker.
Romanian Basics Online
Course Description
Embark on an engaging journey to learn Romanian with this introductory online course, offering a structured approach to mastering the fundamentals of Romanian language, including grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and essential communication skills.
Whether you are planning a trip to Romania, want to connect with Romanians, or have a deep interest in the culture and history, this course is tailored to meet your needs.
Throughout the course, you will engage in interactive lessons covering various aspects of the language from basic greetings and introductions to more complex sentence structures. Our native speaker tutor will guide you, offering practical examples, scenarios, and cultural insights.
Quizzes and exercises will help reinforce what you've learned, ensuring steady improvement and confidence in using the language.
Students will be required to print the course workbook provided before the beginning of the course.
Additionally, students should have a notebook and multi-coloured pens (red, blue and black) to take notes in the printed course book and their notebook. This will help organise and highlight key concepts, making it easier to track progress and retain information.
Course Structure
Week 1: Introduction to Romanian Language and Pronunciation
- Basics of Romanian phonetics and pronunciation
- Introduction to the Romanian alphabet
- Common greetings and introductions
- Practical conversation: "Hello," "How are you?", "Goodbye"
- Hands-on practice through pronunciation drills
Week 2: Nouns, Articles, and Gender
- Gender of nouns (masculine, feminine, neuter)
- Definite and indefinite articles
- Simple sentences: Subject-verb-object structure
- Practical exercises with nouns in different contexts
- Workbook with gender exercises and article usage
Week 3: Verbs and Simple Present Tense
- Introduction to Romanian verbs and conjugation
- Regular verbs in the present tense (eg; "a fi" – to be, "a avea" – to have)
- Constructing simple sentences
- Practical conversations using verbs in everyday situations
- Quizzes and exercises on verb conjugation
Week 4: Building Vocabulary: Family, Numbers, and Time
- Vocabulary related to family members and relationships
- Numbers (1-100) and telling time
- Days of the week, months, and seasons
- Role-playing exercises to practice new vocabulary in context
- Interactive work exercises with vocabulary drills
Week 5: Adjectives, Adverbs, and Describing People
- Introduction to adjectives and their agreement with nouns
- Describing people, places, and things
- Practical dialogues and role-play to describe people or locations
- Notes on adjective placement and agreement
Week 6: Asking Questions and Forming Negatives
- How to ask questions (Yes/No, WH-questions)
- Negation in Romanian (e.g., "nu" for "no")
- Practical scenarios: Asking for directions, ordering food, making requests
- Interactive exercises to practice forming questions and negations
- Work exercises with question and negation exercises
Week 7: Everyday Conversations and Review
- Review of key concepts: verbs, nouns, adjectives, and vocabulary
- Practical dialogues for common situations (shopping, traveling, meeting people)
- Engaging in full conversations: Practicing greetings, shopping, and making small talk
- Final assessment: Role-playing activity and oral quiz
- Final workbook and recap materials.
Course Learning Outcomes
By completing this course, students will:
- Master basic Romanian vocabulary and phrases
- Understand Romanian grammar fundamentals
- Develop practical Romanian conversational skills
- Improve pronunciation and listening comprehension
- Be able to form questions and negations
- Build confidence in speaking Romanian in real-life scenarios
- Apply language skills independently
- Have the foundation to move on to more advanced language studies, with the ability to learn and adapt to new topics independently.
Course Delivery
This course will be delivered online via Zoom.
Zoom is a popular video conferencing software solution which can be used as a virtual classroom. For an optimal online learning experience, when attending classes via Zoom we recommend you install Zoom Workplace on a desktop or laptop computer with built-in webcam and use a headset with microphone. Alternatively, there is a Zoom Workplace app available so you can participate using a tablet or smartphone, however you may not be able to experience all aspects of the online learning environment when participating this way.
You will receive an email with a Zoom meeting link at least two days before the course starts. If you don’t see the email in your inbox, please check your spam folder or junk mail. If you have not received the email with the Zoom meeting details, please contact us and we will provide the details you need to join the session online.
To join the course session via Zoom, simply click on the Join the Meeting link in the email or click on Join Meeting in the Zoom app and insert the Meeting ID, your name and Passcode in the boxes provided.
Please note: WEA can only provide limited technical support (such as re-sending the meeting details), as students should know how to use Zoom on their computer or device if choosing to attend this course.
Your Tutor is Iulia Benze
Iulia Benze has been teaching at WEA since 2025.
With an MA in Performance Practice and Research, at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London, UK, Iulia Benze has worked as a philologist and theatre maker, having an in-depth knowledge in Romanian text analysis, literature and grammar.
She translated academic theatre books for Diana Cosma, in Cluj-Napoca, Romania and for Odin Theatre Company, Denmark from Romanian to English.
Having a rich and diverse background, shaped by experiences in multiple countries and cultures, born in Brasov, Transylvania, Romania, her roots are deeply connected to the heart of Eastern Europe, with its stunning landscapes, folklore, and unique history.
Iulia has teaching experience for children and adults across several countries: in Romania, Hungary and in Australia, including Indigenous communities.
An avid reader and a lover of theatre and artmaking, Iulia sees the world through a lens of creativity and expression.
Her interests in the arts and literature not only complement her love for languages but also serve as a foundation for her teaching.
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