1. Teaching (English) in theTeaching (English) in the
Bulgarian ForeignBulgarian Foreign
Language SchoolsLanguage Schools
A Multiple- Perspective AccountA Multiple- Perspective Account
Tanya Madjarova, Teacher of English, Romain Rolland FLS, BulgariaTanya Madjarova, Teacher of English, Romain Rolland FLS, Bulgaria

2. BG Foreign Language SchoolsBG Foreign Language Schools
The FactsThe Facts
 AttractiveAttractive
 SelectiveSelective
 Co-edCo-ed
 ‘‘Middle’ ClassMiddle’ Class
 HomogeneousHomogeneous
 University BoundUniversity Bound
 Remind of ‘AP’ ClassesRemind of ‘AP’ Classes
 Class Size – 25+Class Size – 25+
 ‘‘Prep’ Class – 600hrsPrep’ Class – 600hrs
 Intensive StudyIntensive Study
 Subjects taught in EnSubjects taught in En
 Language LevelLanguage Level
Beginner – AdvancedBeginner – Advanced
 BilingualBilingual

3. English Language Learning:English Language Learning:
School PrioritiesSchool Priorities
 Exam PreparationExam Preparation
 CompetitionsCompetitions
 Internationalization – international schoolInternationalization – international school
projects, school exchanges, native speakersprojects, school exchanges, native speakers

4. Exam PreparationExam Preparation
 8-grade external assessment8-grade external assessment
 12-grade finals12-grade finals
 Uni Admission exams – many!!!!Uni Admission exams – many!!!!
5 BG, IELTS, TOEFL, SAT I5 BG, IELTS, TOEFL, SAT I
 Language CertificatesLanguage Certificates

5. CompetitionsCompetitions
 10-grade Study Abroad (UK, US)10-grade Study Abroad (UK, US)
 Public SpeakingPublic Speaking
 OtherOther

6. The Digital DivideThe Digital Divide
 Digital NativesDigital Natives
 Digital ImmigrantsDigital Immigrants
 Digital ForeignersDigital Foreigners

7. MethodologyMethodology
 Eclectic – trad & modernEclectic – trad & modern
 Shift in TechnologyShift in Technology
 Varies from school to schoolVaries from school to school
 Varies within the schoolVaries within the school
 Teachers of English at the forefront of changeTeachers of English at the forefront of change
(hopefully(hopefully))

8. Aspects of Teacher-CenteredAspects of Teacher-Centered
ApproachApproach
 ‘‘Talk and Chalk’Talk and Chalk’
 Reproductive SkillsReproductive Skills
 Accuracy vs FluencyAccuracy vs Fluency
 Grammar/VocabGrammar/Vocab

9. Recent StudiesRecent Studies
of ‘paradoxes”of ‘paradoxes”
 Local Study: ‘Local Study: ‘BG students master English spelling better than BulgarianBG students master English spelling better than Bulgarian.’.’
 EC Research:EC Research: ’41% of BG students are illiterate’41% of BG students are illiterate’.’.
 Memorization vs Critical Reading/Thinking SkillsMemorization vs Critical Reading/Thinking Skills
 Bg students IT and Math savvy in world championshipsBg students IT and Math savvy in world championships

10. Learner-Centered ApproachLearner-Centered Approach
 DiscussionDiscussion
 DebatesDebates
 Pair/group workPair/group work
 ProjectsProjects
 PresentationsPresentations
 DramaDrama
 REFLECTIONREFLECTION

11. Learning Styles Revisited:Learning Styles Revisited:
ETA’s MissionETA’s Mission

12. ResourcesResources
(Un)-Availability(Un)-Availability
 Course BooksCourse Books
 Authentic MaterialsAuthentic Materials
 Cassette-recordersCassette-recorders
 ComputersComputers
 Multimedia RoomsMultimedia Rooms
 Interactive BoardsInteractive Boards
 PeoplePeople

13. Making Sense of BG ClassroomMaking Sense of BG Classroom
CultureCulture
 Five Critical IncidentsFive Critical Incidents
 Different ExpectationsDifferent Expectations
 Clash of ValuesClash of Values

14. 1. Plagiarism1. Plagiarism
““Why should I write in my own words when someone else has said itWhy should I write in my own words when someone else has said it
so much betterso much better???”???”

15. 2. Cheating2. Cheating
 ‘‘cheating’ andcheating’ and
‘friendship’‘friendship’

16. 3. Essay Writing3. Essay Writing
 11stst
person vs. 3person vs. 3rdrd
personperson
 Ken’s perspectiveKen’s perspective
 Irena’s positionIrena’s position
 Nadya’s challengesNadya’s challenges

17. Essay Structure and TimeEssay Structure and Time
 Brian’s ExperienceBrian’s Experience

18. 4. Misinterpreting Feedback4. Misinterpreting Feedback
 ‘‘Great!’Great!’
 Teacher as EnergizerTeacher as Energizer

19. 5. Fictionary5. Fictionary
 of ‘word games’ andof ‘word games’ and
‘politics’‘politics’
 group powergroup power

20. Embracing the Difference:Embracing the Difference:
Living with AmbiguityLiving with Ambiguity
 UniversalUniversal
 CulturalCultural
 PersonalPersonal
Tips:Tips:
 Question the obviousQuestion the obvious
 Don’t suffer aloneDon’t suffer alone
 Ask!Ask!
 NegotiateNegotiate

21. Thank you!Thank you!