1. Bulgaria
National Military University Foreign Language Department - Shumen FIRST STEPS, DEVELOPMENT AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES OF SHUMEN FOREIGN LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT LTC Petko Petkov Director of the FLD October 2010

2. Center for Language and Information Technology Training
Briefing Structure
Establishment
Location
Aims and objectives Trainees
International students Training staff Course design Types of courses Textbooks, supplementary and teaching materials Assessments procedures Facilities

3. Renovation of study building – 2006
Establishment
Created as a structure of National Military University – September 2005
Renovation of study building – 2006
Pilot courses – April – August 2006
First courses – September 2006
Official opening –
Bulgarian MOD invest more than 1million euro.
USA (FMF and IMET programs) invest more than 1 million USD (books, labs, training).

4. Foreign Language Department
Location of
Foreign Language Department

5. MISSION and GOALS
Mission:
To prepare personnel of the Bulgarian Military Forces for 21st century challenges, NATO membership and operation in coalition forces, by providing high-quality teaching in English language
Goals:
1. Maintain a staff of well-trained and motivated teachers.
2. Establish a system for permanent control of the students’ knowledge as well as for teachers’ assessment.
3. Provide the necessary equipment, meeting the modern requirements for language and computer training.
4. Provide equally good conditions for accommodation, catering and sports

6. from all branches of armed forces: Career officers, NCOs, Enlisted,
Trainees
from all branches of armed forces:
Career officers, NCOs, Enlisted,
Civilian staff
Until now – more than 1200 students

7. International students
International students – 2008, 2009 – 39 students from 7 countries – Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Georgia and FYROM.

8. Training staff
MA degrees in English Philology;
appointed after a contest;
most of them have passed various levels of training abroad;
average experience in English Language training – more than 10 years

9. 6 academic hours per day from 08.00 to 13.20 5 days per week
Course design
6 academic hours per day from to 13.20
5 days per week
Afternoons are free for self preparation
Teachers are available for extra work with the students in the afternoons

10. Level III - 15 weeks - book 25-30
Types of courses
Level I - 18 weeks - book 1-12
Level II -18 weeks - book 13-24
Level III - 15 weeks - book 25-30
All of them based on American Language Course and additional materials as Campaign and Headway

11. Textbooks, supplementary and
teaching materials
There is more than printed books, supported by appropriate audio and multimedia
These materials are sufficient for conducting simultaneous training of 100 students I level
100 students II level
and 30 students level III

12. Assessments procedures
Entry level control – for level II – 50 points ALCPT
Current control- Book Quiz – every week – must have at least
70% (35 points)
Progress test – 8th weeks – ALCPT
Final control- course final examination, ALCPT and an oral exam
From 2009 every course ends with STANAG exams.

13. 2 level IV labs – total 25 positions
Facilities
Language laboratories: upgraded June level II labs – total 75 positions
2 level IV labs – total 25 positions

14. Self access center – 12 seats Video room Library Others:
Facilities cont.
Self access center – 12 seats
Video room
Library
Others:
Dining facility
Dormitory – 128 rooms
Outdoor sport facilities
Gym/ Swimming pool

17. Questions?