Bulgaria: Presentation for the European Study Visit 2013-189-ES (Catalonia, Spain), "Language learning spaces: diversity and transversality". Author Virdzhiniya Vasileva. Visit the web: http://blocs.xtec.cat/cataloniastudyvisit2013languagelearning/report/

1. Virdzhiniya Vasileva
Integration-Focused Language
Education Policies in Bulgaria

2. Virdziniya Vasileva
Quick introduction
EmploymentEmployment
• Senior Expert of Pre-school Education at the Regional Inspectorate in Sofia of
the Ministry of Education, Youth and Science (since 1992)
– Offer methodological and organizational help and support to kindergartens
– Rich experience in improving kindergartens in Sofia
• Lecturer with RAABE Bulgaria on various education-related topics (since 2012)
• Previously served as a Headmistress of Kindergarten #152 in Sofia
EducationEducation
• MS in Pedagogy and Bulgarian Language from the University of Sofia (1979)
• Year-long Specialization in Pre-School Education at the University of Sofia
(1991)
• Participant in multiple international experience exchange programs, courses and
study visits
OtherOther
• Author of multiple articles on topics of pre-school education
• Chairwoman of the OMEP (World Organization for Early Childhood Education)
Chapter in Sofia

3. Agenda
• Summary and framework
• Language and integration within the EU
• Language and integration within Bulgaria
• Q&A
1
2
3
4

4. Summary and framework
EU
Bulgaria
Ethnic
minorities in
Bulgaria
Language Education is a key means
to integration
Language Education is a key means
to integration
Communities can be understood as
"bubbles"
• Speaking only one language isolates
people from other communities
• It confines people to a narrow world
view
Language education allows community
members to "move out of the bubble"
• Thus it is intrinsically integrative
• It allows for cultural exchange that
would otherwise not be possible
Two types of transitions are discussed
in the Bulgarian context
• Bulgarian integration within the EU via
foreign language Education
• Integration of ethnic communities within
Bulgaria via language EducationIndividual
communities
within Europe
1

5. Language and integration within the EU
Two of eight key competencies focus on language
2
Mother tongue communicationMother tongue communication
Initiative-taking and
entrepreneurship
Initiative-taking and
entrepreneurship
Foreign language
communication
Foreign language
communication
Ability to learnAbility to learn
Computer skillsComputer skills
Mathematical skills and basic
scientific and technological
knowledge
Mathematical skills and basic
scientific and technological
knowledge
Social and citizen's
competencies
Social and citizen's
competencies
Cultural competenciesCultural competencies

6. Language and integration within the EU
Setup of the Bulgarian foreign language education system
2
Kindergarten 1st grade 2nd-4th grade 5th-7th grade
8th grade 9th-12th grade
• Foreign-
language
education is
optional
• As such, there
is no
regulated
number of
LUs1
per week
• Almost all
kindergartens
in Sofia offer
foreign
language
training and
many parents
take advantage
of the offering
• Foreign-
language
education is
elective
• If a language is
chosen, the
class time is 3
LUs per week
• A first foreign
language is
mandatory
• 3 LUs per
week
• The first
foreign
language
remains
mandatory (3
LUs per week)
• A second
language is
elective
• If chosen, the
class time is 3
LUs per week
• In specialized
language high
schools
mandatory 18
LUs per week
for the primary
foreign
language
• 6 LUs per week
first foreign
language
• CLIL: 3-5 subjects
(e.g., physics,
chemistry, biology,
etc.) taught
exclusively in the
first foreign
language
• 2 LUs per week
second foreign
language
8th grade 9th-12th grade
• 13 LUs per
week for the
first foreign
language
• 6 LUs per
week for the
first foreign
language
• 2 LUs per
week for the
first foreign
language
1. Lesson Unit (LU) = 45 minutes
A
B
Specialized elite
language high schools
(very competitive exams
for admission)

7. Language and integration within Bulgaria
Integration of ethnic minorities
3
Integration necessitiesIntegration necessities
A large minority of Roma and Sinti
children are educated in school in
Bulgaria
• The language spoken at home is
usually not Bulgarian
• Those children grow up bilingual, but
need extra help and support with
Bulgarian
The necessities of the job market dictate
Bulgarian language proficiency
• Employment opportunities are
extremely limited for people who are not
fluent in Bulgarian
• The Roma and Sinti communities are
economically disadvantaged
• Thus language education translates
directly into economic development

8. Language and integration within Bulgaria
Strategic integration goals of secondary education in
Bulgaria
3
Five goals for integration of ethnic
minorities
Five goals for integration of ethnic
minorities
Stated strategic goals of the Bulgarian
Concept for Secondary Education
• Equal access to high-quality education
• Conservation and development of the
cultural identity of children
• Creation of preconditions for successful
socialization of young people from
ethnic minorities
• Transformation of cultural diversity into
a factor for mutual exchange and
development
• Inclusion of parents to the goals of
educational integration
Keys to successful integrationKeys to successful integration
To satisfy the goals of the Concept,
quality language education is necessary
• Since Bulgarian is the language of the
education in Bulgaria, unless ethnic
minority children are fluent they would
be at a disadvantage
• It is important to underscore the cultural
exchange in the education process
rather than have a two-tier education
system
• Parental involvement can decrease
absence and thus facilitate the
education process

9. Q&A
4

10. Q&A
4