This week, starting April 1st, sees the fifth anniversary of the Centre and it has been quite a five years to date. We would like to think that it has been eventful, rewarding and, last but not least, educational for both staff and customers.
The Scottish Centre first opened on April 1 st 2013 and took up residence initially on Knaz Boris Street in the summer. However when the offer of the current premises came along in August, on the corner of Oborishte and Levski Boulevard there was simply no procrastinating: we moved immediately. The views alone of Vitosha, Nevsky, the National Library and University are breathtaking and worth a visit in themselves.
Since we moved here we have had a wide range of English language students from all walks of life and at all levels of the language.
We believe our English teaching method prepares people for real life situations in both the professional realm and the everyday. The focus has always been on what is relevant to the student, not what the teacher wishes to impose. Furthermore, we do not follow a regimented course structure; we have always been able to incorporate different needs and wants. The number one philosophy at our centre is that language learning is a communicative process. In our classrooms, verbal communication is the order of the day. Any aspect of English taught in class is immediately activated through speech.
Our external business customers have included Opencode Mobile Network Solutions, TNT, Vectorcuatro and The Golden Linden International Film Festival.
At the Golden Linden we have, so far, presented four Scottish films as entrants to both the festival and the film competition.
At the centre we have also provided proof reading services over the last half decade.
We have been working closely with Prosveta Publishing House in preparing educational school texts for future English courses in state schools. The English version of the successful novel by Lucy Eleazar ‘Heart of Stone’ was also proofread here at the Scottish centre. Hermes Publishing House trusted us to proof read one of their books.
Our social events have also proved to be popular over the five years. We have hosted Burn’s Nights with traditional toast to the Bard, St Andrew’s Nights on November 30th, our national day, an English Speakers’ Club where students and the public took part in language activities and gatherings to watch the Scottish national football team.
On top of all that, our director Bryan Stewart, had both of his books published by Paradigma, ‘Soapdodgers’ and ‘1 Prague. Outside’. The centre arranged book presentations at Sofia University, The Czech Centre and at the literary club Peroto. The talks given at both Peroto and the Czech Centre were filmed and can be viewed online. Both books have subsequently been made available by Amazon publishing.
Bryan also delivered a talk on Scots and its use in Scotland and Northern Ireland at Sofia University to a group of Scots language students.
Overall, it has been a highly enjoyable five years and we look forward to continued acquaintance with the good folk of Bulgaria.
Slaintemhaith, agus Alba gu braith!
Nazdravi i Bulgariya naveki!
