Virdzhiniya Vasileva

Integration-Focused Language Education Policies in Bulgaria

Virdziniya VasilevaQuick 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

Agenda

• Summary and framework• Language and integration within the EU• Language and integration within Bulgaria• Q&A

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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

Language and integration within the EUTwo of eight key competencies focus on language

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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 skillsMathematical 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

Language and integration within the EUSetup 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

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B

Specialized elite language high schools (very competitive exams

for admission)

Language and integration within BulgariaIntegration of ethnic minorities

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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

Language and integration within BulgariaStrategic integration goals of secondary education in Bulgaria

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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

Q&A4