ENGLISH FOR ALL AGES
CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE WORLDWIDE
www.britishcouncil.org/bulgaria
WELCOME TO THE BRITISH COUNCIL CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE WORLDWIDE We are the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. The British Council creates international opportunities for the people of the UK and other countries through the exchange of knowledge and ideas between them worldwide. We work in over 100 countries in the arts, education and English.
www.britishcouncil.org/bulgaria
WHAT WE DO English We can help you develop your skills and experience through a wide range of high-quality courses, internationally recognised UK exams and information resources to suit your needs. Our Teaching Centre offers courses in General and Business English, Exam Preparation for Cambridge and IELTS and custom-made courses designed for private and public companies. We have also developed a wide variety of English courses for children and teenagers aged from 5 to17. If you’re an English language teacher, we can offer a range of training courses and access to a variety of online resources and networks to support your work. Planning to study in the UK? Our experienced counsellors can provide you with individual guidance.
Arts We work with the best of British creative talent to develop innovative, high-quality events and collaborations that link thousands of artists and cultural institutions around the world. Interested in music, drama, dance, visual arts, design, film, literature, the creative economy or other and new art forms? Find out more about our past and current partnership projects with Bulgarian institutions, organisations and promoters.
Education and Society We work in partnership with both government and civil society in Bulgaria to advance debate, knowledge and skills in the areas of governance, human rights and social inclusion. We also build lasting relationships between scientists and researchers around the world, encouraging people to talk about science and its impact upon society. Learn more about the range of our activities, including cross-sectoral projects, networking opportunities and educational events. Find out more on our website www.britishcouncil.org/bulgaria 1
ENGLISH FOR ALL AGES
Whatever your level in English, we can help you test and develop your language skills. Explore the exciting learning opportunities British Council has to offer. Learn English in Bulgaria Our Teaching Centre in Sofia offers a wide range of high quality courses designed to meet your needs whether for academic purposes, to improve your career prospects or just for the pleasure of learning. Our teachers are the most highly qualified in Bulgaria and with our rigorous courses you can gain the confidence and the skills you need to communicate effectively in English.
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Learn English in the UK or study in British universities If you are thinking about learning English in the UK you will need to make some important decisions about the courses you choose. The UK also offers a world-renowned education system, with qualifications that can make a real difference to your career. Do you need help in finding the right course and applying for a place? Our experienced education counsellors can provide you with individual guidance.
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Learn English online Explore the free online learning opportunities developed by the British Council. Learn English online with videos, audio podcasts, grammar explanations, materials for professionals, exam practice, games, jokes and lots more. Children can have fun with games, songs, stories and lots of other entertaining educational activities. Read more on our website
Take a UK exam Every year we administer nearly 10,000 examinations from the UK. Whether you need an internationally recognised certificate or wish to improve your career prospects, we are here to help. We offer the widest range of UK exams in Bulgaria, including IELTS, Cambridge ESOL and a number of Professional and Educational qualifications.
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Resources for teachers Whether you are new to English language teaching or are taking the next steps in your career and development, you can find valuable help and opportunities if you check out the various resources for teachers we offer. They will lead you to essential information, expert advice, teaching tips and materials, articles, discussions and support networks to help you achieve your goals.
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Learn English in Bulgaria
The British Council, established in 1934, is the world’s most trusted provider of English language training. Backed by the resources of a global English teaching network with over 75 years of training in 60 countries throughout the world, our expertise will help you to meet the challenges of tomorrow. Worldwide, we provide English language courses annually for 500,000 students from all walks of life, from kindergarten children to business executives. Our courses help you to communicate in English in real life situations in or outside the workplace. We use the latest innovative teaching methods, the highest quality teaching materials, and state-of-the-art technology to support your learning. We are dedicated to staff training and knowledge sharing, in order to provide
you with the highest quality service. Our rigorous global recruitment policy means that we employ only the most qualified and experienced teachers, delivering the best quality courses to meet your specific learning needs. Our decades of experience in teaching in Bulgaria ensure that we are best placed to understand the specific learning needs of Bulgarian learners of English. This is enhanced by the richness of our experience in working in other countries and cultures.
We meet your professional and personal needs for English - professionally and personally. When you choose a British Council course, you can be assured of receiving the very highest quality English language tuition, with: • The most highly qualified and experienced professional teachers in Bulgaria. • 100% English language in classrooms, with the most up-todate innovative teaching methods to help you to communicate in English. • Regular feedback on your progress, including individual counselling from your teachers. • Modern and comfortable premises
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equipped with interactive whiteboards and multimedia facilities. Courses based on the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework (CEF). Courses leading to prestigious and internationally recognised English Language qualifications offered by Cambridge ESOL and IELTS. Contact with contemporary British arts, culture and education. Complimentary course books and materials, and access to the British Council’s online and mobile learning technology. 3
ENGLISH for Adults
Adult learners need English for a variety of goals. The British Council provides a range of courses to help you meet them all. General English
Examination Skills
The British Council provides popular General English courses for all levels of adult learners, from Beginner to Proficiency. We enhance your learning experience with a variety of in-class activities, and specially selected multimedia and learning materials to complement our course books. We help you develop effective communication skills in different contexts to become a more accurate, fluent, and confident user of English in a variety of real-world situations.
Our ties to Cambridge ESOL and IELTS make the British Council the best choice for exam preparation courses. Our exam courses are designed not only to build your language skills, but also to prepare you for the specific requirements and format of the exam you want to take. We will train you in essential examination skills, build your confidence, and provide strategies and techniques to maximise your potential.
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We offer preparatory courses for Cambridge examinations including First Certificate in English (FCE), Certificate in Advanced English (CAE), Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE), International Legal English Certificate (ILEC), and of course, IELTS. Business English
Skills Courses
British Council Business English courses are designed to help you communicate more effectively in real-world business contexts. With a focus on the vocabulary, function and specific styles of business language, we provide the English you need for your work or future career, with development of skills in speaking, writing, reading, and listening. We can also provide opportunities for you to prepare for Cambridge Business English Certificate (BEC) examinations.
Our aim in all British Council courses is to help you use English more effectively. We have designed and developed a variety of skills-specific courses including Academic Writing, General Writing, Listening and Speaking, PreDeparture, Current Affairs and Book Club to offer you more opportunities to build and practise your English language skills in the contexts you need.
Legal English We offer Legal English courses at CEF B2/C1 level. These courses are valuable for law students and lawyers who want to develop their English language skills for use in a commercial environment and to put particular emphasis on developing their vocabulary and writing skills.
Corporate Training We provide quality language training for your company according to your needs and requirements. For our corporate clients, we offer tailor-made training programmes and workshops. We carry out detailed analysis of your organisation’s needs to present a proposal for training to be delivered at a time and place most suitable for you and your staff. We provide regular updates on your employees’ progress and attendance at agreed intervals, and provide all course books and other training materials. 5
ENGLISH for Young Learners
We offer courses for Young Learners aged 5-18 to give your child the best development in English. Whether your child is taking his or her first steps in English or preparing for university study abroad, British Council courses prepare young people for tomorrow’s success today. Our highly qualified and experienced teachers understand that young people’s learning and developmental needs vary greatly. That’s why we offer a range of courses to provide an English learning environment best suited to your child’s age and level in English.
Primaries Children aged 5-8 are highly receptive to developing new language skills. 6
Our teachers are trained in using song, storytelling, educational play, multimedia technology and specially designed learning materials to build your child’s confidence and ability in English. Because children learn better when they enjoy lessons, our activities are varied, challenging, and fun, and designed to maximise each learner’s use of English. Lessons are designed and structured so that all children can follow activities and instructions easily.
Juniors As with Primaries, our Junior classes for children aged 8-11 focus on developing language skills (speaking, writing, reading, listening) and language systems (grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation) using contexts, activities and materials that are accessible, enjoyable, and appropriate to the age and level of the young learner. And as with all British Council courses for young learners, our lessons are designed to develop each student’s understanding of sharing, and valuing others.
Seniors As young people build skills and confidence in using English from ages 11-14, British Council courses provide important development in fluency by encouraging learners to complete communicative tasks in speaking and writing, reading and listening. We develop accuracy by using multimedia tools and specially designed learning materials to focus on grammatical structures, pronunciation, and new vocabulary, while keeping lessons interesting and enjoyable with materials and activities that are relevant to young people.
to ensure future academic success, and our cultural contacts offer young people the opportunity to engage with high achievers in science and the arts.
Collecting your child In the best interests of younger children, please do not drop your child off at the British Council more than 15 minutes before the start of the class. We ask parents to collect children promptly after the class ends. We will ask you to give us written permission for your child to leave the premises on his or her own.
Child protection and support All of our young learners are protected according to strict UK Health and Safety standards at all times. We take pride in offering a supportive, positive environment for language learning. We understand the importance of involving parents in their children’s learning - keeping you informed of your child’s progress is our policy. We are always ready to discuss how best to meet your needs, and to provide support in helping your child learn more effectively.
Young Adults Young people aged 14-17 look forward to enhancing their adult lives with the advantages that English language skills can bring them. British Council Young Adult courses move young people towards internationally recognised English language certification with lessons, materials and activities that are motivating, challenging, and engaging for teenage learners. We develop skills and confidence to use English in realworld contexts, the study skills needed 7
CEF level
British Council level
Cambridge exam
C2
Proficiency
CPE
Advanced
CAE BEC Higher
C1
IELTS
7.5+
6.5 – 7.0
Pre-Advanced FCE BEC Vantage
B2
Upper Intermediate
B1
Intermediate
PET BEC Preliminary
3.5 – 4.5
A2
Pre Intermediate
KET YLE Flyers
3.0
A1
Elementary
YLE Movers
A0
Starter
First Steps Children
YLE Starters
5.0 – 6.0
How to enrol
first week of term. In this case we will offer an alternative place or refund the Registration usually takes place one or full course fee. two weeks before each term. Before When you enrol on a course, you book joining one of our courses you or your your place for the whole of the course. child will be asked to take our placement For academic reasons we do not add test during the registration period. For adults, this consists of two parts, a written students to courses after the first few weeks of a course. This means that test (30-45 minutes) and an oral test we are unable to offer refunds. Please (5-10 minutes). Young learner placement make sure that you will be available for tests vary according to the age of your the whole course before you register. child, but normally consist of a written test (15-45 minutes) and an oral test (5-10 If a student is forced to withdraw minutes). All prospective students will from a course because of exceptional speak to a teacher who can advise on an circumstances, the teaching centre appropriate level of study. Our customer manager may be able to approve a service staff will then help you to find an credit. Requests must be submitted in appropriate course at a suitable time, and writing with supporting documentation discuss payment options. for consideration by the teaching You can also find up-to-date information centre manager. The credit will be the value of the unattended courses less on course dates and prices on our web an administrative fee of 80 leva. Credits site: www.britishcouncil.org/bulgaria can be used during the next two terms Please note that we need a parent’s mobile phone number and e-mail address or six months. before young people under the age of 18 Credits and refunds can only be claimed in the first four calendar can be registered on our courses. weeks after the course start date. No requests for credits or refunds will be Assessment, Certificates and considered after this time. Attendance At the end of courses, each British Council student receives a certificate with information on his/her performance in productive skills (speaking, writing) and receptive skills (reading, listening) in English, and an overall course grade. Please note that we require attendance of at least 70% in order to award a passing grade for courses. Our teachers record attendance in every lesson. We will contact parents of Young Learners with two unexplained absences.
Customer feedback We value the opinions of our customers. During your course we will ask you for feedback either in a questionnaire, a focus group or through our suggestion cards. Your feedback will help us improve our services.
Privacy statement
We will ask you to complete a registration form which includes your details. This information will be used to contact you Refunds and Credit Policy about British Council events and for The British Council reserves the right to internal monitoring of customer data. We cancel a course if there are insufficient respect your privacy and will never share your information with other organisations. students registered by the end of the 9
EXAMS
Whatever your academic or professional area, we can advise you on the right UK qualification which perfectly suits your needs and will lead you to worldwide opportunities in business and education. Our exam service is efficient and independent. We deliver exams to UK standards and the administration is secure and fair to all candidates. Get a life-long certificate
Study, live and work abroad
All Cambridge ESOL General English exams are designed to give you lifelong validation of your language skills whatever your level of knowledge is.
For people who are planning to study, train or work in English-speaking country, the IELTS test guarantees you secure and fair assessment of your English language skills on which you can rely for your future studies and work.
Cambridge English certificates are recognised and highly trusted as proof of your language abilities by more than 12 000 universities, employers and governmental bodies in 135 countries across the world. We also offer more exams dates, lower fees and faster results through the computer-based versions of the tests.
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IELTS Academic Module is recognised by more than 6000 European and USA academic institutions as an entry requirement for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. IELTS General Training is required for immigration to Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The whole process from registration, through preparation to results check can be also done online.
Study in the UK, sit your exams in Bulgaria If you wish to study in a prestigious UK school or university, you might be required to take additional exams. We are here to make this procedure easier for you by administering a wide range of international university and school exams on behalf of major UK examination boards. Whether you need to take admission tests for London School of Economics, Cambridge, Oxford or other university, IGCSEs and A-levels exams, or any other UK-related exam, we can register you to take your exams with us. If you are already studying in the UK and you have to be in Bulgaria during your exam session, we can make it possible for you to sit your exams in our office in Sofia. Our examinations services are well-known and trusted by all British educational institutions for being professional and secure and for giving you the chance to sit your exams under the same rules and conditions you would receive by your home institution.
Improve your career prospects Enhancing your English language skills in an international business environment is vital for your career success. Depending on your field of work you can choose between Busines English Certificates (BEC), International Legal English Certificate (ILEC), International Certificate in Financial English (ICFE). An UK qualification awarded by the largest global professional bodies is an excellent opportunity to enhance your professional development in any business field – accountancy (ACCA), marketing (CIM), management accountancy (CIMA), personnel development (CIPD) and many more.
Motivate your children Help your children increase their motivation and confidence to stimulate their further language study by entering them for the Cambridge ESOL Young Learners tests. They are available at three levels – Starters, Movers and Flyers, and are designed for those aged between 7 and 12 years old.
Contact us British Council Teaching Centre 7 Krakra Street, 1504 Sofia T +359 (0)2 942 4344 learnenglish@britishcouncil.bg
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The British Council is the United Kingdom’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities.
www.britishcouncil.org/bulgaria