OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
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The official language of Bulgaria is Bulgarian and 85.2% of the country’s population speak Bulgarian natively.
Bulgarian is the country’s only official language. It’s spoken by the vast majority of the Bulgarian population and used at all levels of society. It is a Slavic language, and its closest relative is Macedonian.
Bulgarian is written with Cyrillic, which is also used by Russian, Ukrainian and Serbian.
Learning the Bulgarian alphabet is very important because its structure is used in every day conversation. Without it, you will not be able to say words properly even if you know how to write those words. The better you pronounce a letter in a word, the more understood you will be in speaking the Bulgarian language.
In the attached document there is a table showing the Bulgarian alphabet and how it is pronounced in English, and finally examples of how those letters would sound if you place them in a word.
Public Institutions
Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” appear in the QS University Rankings: EECA 2018, a ranking of the top 200 institutions in Emerging Europe and Central Asia.
Department for Language Teaching and International Students
Since 1963, the DEO, a legitimate successor to the Institute of Foreign Students, and affiliate to the St Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia, has specialized in teaching of Bulgarian language and Science subjects to foreign students at Bulgarian universities, according to a curriculum approved by the Ministry of Education. Nowadays DEO also continue teaching Bulgarian to foreigners residing in the country or applying for Bulgarian citizenship in specialized courses and at the International School of Bulgarian language and culture, as well as within various workshops.
Bulgarian Language for Foreign Students
The students pass a 9-month training course in Bulgarian and in the special subjects for preliminary preparation, required for enrolment at all Bulgarian Higher Schools.
St. Cyril and Methodius University of Veliko Turnovo
The University of Veliko Tarnovo provides Bulgarian language studies and specialized training to foreign citizens who would like to study at Bulgarian universities. The curriculum is in accordance with the Bulgarian state requirements. The Bulgarian language courses are organized by the Department for Language Teaching. Foreign citizens who speak Bulgarian language can sit for an exam without having attended language courses.
South-West University “Neofit Rilski” – Blagoevgrad
Foreign citizens applying for training in a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD programme can obtain competence in general and special Bulgarian language at the University as follows:
The full course in General Bulgarian and special training in Bulgarian has duration of no less than 9 months. The course finishes with an exam in Bulgarian language, both written and oral which is administered by a special commission. The individuals, who have passed the final language exam both in general and special Bulgarian, are awarded a Language Certificate, which is recognized by other Bulgarian universities.
A short course in Bulgarian for individuals who have command of Bulgarian. The course involves training in specialized terminology corresponding to the major chosen and has 6-month duration. The short course finishes with an exam held by a commission. A Language Certificate in Bulgarian, which is valid for other Bulgarian universities, is issued.
Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration. Since 2016, IOM has been an associated United Nations Agency for Migration.
The IOM Constitution recognizes the link between migration and economic, social and cultural development, as well as to the right of freedom of movement.
One of the thematic areas of activity of IOM BULGARIA is Integration:
Providing support for the integration of third-country nationals legally residing in Bulgaria, including beneficiaries of international protection.
Information sessions and consultations on social orientation and cultural adaptation.
Bulgarian language courses.
