Teaching (English) in the Teaching (English) in the Bulgarian Foreign Bulgarian 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

BG Foreign Language SchoolsBG Foreign Language SchoolsThe 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

English Language Learning: English Language Learning: School PrioritiesSchool Priorities

Exam Preparation Exam Preparation CompetitionsCompetitions Internationalization – international school Internationalization – international school

projects, school exchanges, native speakersprojects, school exchanges, native speakers

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

CompetitionsCompetitions

10-grade Study Abroad (UK, US)10-grade Study Abroad (UK, US) Public Speaking Public Speaking OtherOther

The Digital DivideThe Digital Divide

Digital NativesDigital Natives Digital ImmigrantsDigital Immigrants Digital ForeignersDigital Foreigners

MethodologyMethodology

Eclectic – trad & modernEclectic – trad & modern Shift in TechnologyShift in Technology Varies from school to school Varies from school to school Varies within the schoolVaries within the school Teachers of English at the forefront of change Teachers of English at the forefront of change

(hopefully(hopefully))

Aspects of Teacher-Centered Aspects of Teacher-Centered Approach Approach

‘‘Talk and Chalk’Talk and Chalk’ Reproductive SkillsReproductive Skills Accuracy vs FluencyAccuracy vs Fluency Grammar/VocabGrammar/Vocab

Recent StudiesRecent Studiesof ‘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

Learner-Centered ApproachLearner-Centered Approach

DiscussionDiscussion DebatesDebates Pair/group workPair/group work ProjectsProjects PresentationsPresentations DramaDrama REFLECTIONREFLECTION

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

ResourcesResources(Un)-Availability(Un)-Availability

Course BooksCourse Books Authentic MaterialsAuthentic Materials Cassette-recordersCassette-recorders ComputersComputers Multimedia RoomsMultimedia Rooms Interactive BoardsInteractive Boards PeoplePeople

Making Sense of BG Classroom Making Sense of BG Classroom CultureCulture

Five Critical IncidentsFive Critical Incidents Different ExpectationsDifferent Expectations Clash of ValuesClash of Values

1. Plagiarism1. Plagiarism

““Why should I write in my own words when someone else has said it Why should I write in my own words when someone else has said it so much betterso much better???”???”

2. Cheating2. Cheating

‘‘cheating’ and cheating’ and ‘friendship’‘friendship’

3. Essay Writing3. Essay Writing

11stst person vs. 3 person vs. 3rdrd person person Ken’s perspectiveKen’s perspective Irena’s positionIrena’s position Nadya’s challengesNadya’s challenges

Essay Structure and TimeEssay Structure and Time

Brian’s ExperienceBrian’s Experience

4. Misinterpreting Feedback4. Misinterpreting Feedback

‘‘Great!’ Great!’ Teacher as EnergizerTeacher as Energizer

5. Fictionary5. Fictionary

of ‘word games’ and of ‘word games’ and ‘politics’‘politics’

group powergroup power

Embracing the Difference:Embracing the Difference:Living with AmbiguityLiving with Ambiguity

UniversalUniversal CulturalCultural PersonalPersonalTips: Tips: Question the obviousQuestion the obvious Don’t suffer aloneDon’t suffer alone Ask!Ask! NegotiateNegotiate

Thank you!Thank you!