Community Program

During the Fall and Spring semester, October to May, the English Language Institute offers twice-a-week non-intensive courses for children ages eight to thirteen. The courses are offered at 6 levels, 120 hours each.

Tuition: EUR 278 per semester
Discounted tuition for Bulgarian applicants: EUR 139 per semester

If you are interested in registering your child for the courses, please contact us at +359-73-888555/557/552. You can also ask questions at: eli@aubg.edu

A detailed description of each level follows below.

Pre-Starter A

COURSE DESIGN AND DURATION
The Younger Learners Pre – Starter A course consists of 120 academic hours. Classes are taught two times a week (two 40 minute classes with a 10 minute break between) by a Bulgarian instructor. Fairyland 3 is the course book used in this level.

COURSE GOALS
The basic goal of the instructor in Pre –Starter A is to develop the students’ long-term interest in learning English. At the same time we teach fundamental habits and ways of learning a foreign language – writing words several times, keeping a dictionary book, doing homework, repeating words and phrases to acquire correct pronunciation.

COURSE OBJECTIVES
The level starts with the alphabet and phonics. Then, it proceeds with basic vocabulary, songs and some structures. Grammar at this stage focuses on learning phrases and practice with the minimum amount of theory because it is not comprehensible for students that age.

LANGUAGE INPUT
Grammar: The verb ‘to be’; a/an; Plurals; Possessive case/adjectives; Prepositions; There is/there are; Have got/has got; Verbs in present continuous and simple; This/these, that/those.

Vocabulary: Colours; School items; Family members; Parts of body; Animalс; The weather; Clothes; Abilities.

Functional Language: Introduce yourself; Numbers; Giving commands; Make birthday wishes; Talk about toys.

TESTING AND GRADING
Learners’ progress is objectively assessed by conducting tests on a regular basis. Tests and quizzes are specially drawn up on the language material that has been studied so far. The number of tests may vary. There is always a mid-term test in the end of the first semester of the course and a final test in the end of the year. Students’ achievement is graded, using the following evaluation scale (BG grading): 90-100 % - 6; 78-89% - 5; 66-77 % - 4; 53-65 % - 3; 0-50 % - 2. The overall course grading includes regular attendance of classes, conscientious work in class, systematic homework assignment fulfillment, and test scores. A score of 66% and above is considered a passing result.

Pre-Starter B

COURSE DESIGN AND DURATION
The Younger Learners Pre – Starter B course consists of 120 academic hours. Classes are taught two times a week (two 40 minute classes with a 10 minute break between) by a Bulgarian instructor. Oxford Discover 1 is the course book used in this level.

COURSE GOALS

The basic goal of the instructor in Pre –Starter B is to continue to develop the students’ long-term interest in learning English. At the same time we teach fundamental habits and ways of learning a foreign language – writing words several times, keeping a dictionary book, doing homework, repeating words and phrases to acquire correct pronunciation.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

The instructor further helps students gently develop and practise all four skills – reading, writing, speaking and listening in a fun way. We proceed by expanding basic vocabulary and some structures through songs and dramatized context. Grammar at this stage focuses on learning phrases and practice with the minimum amount of theory because it is not comprehensible for students that age.

LANGUAGE INPUT

Grammar: The Verb To Be; Demonstratives; There is/ There are; Prepositions of Place; What and Who questions with the Verb To Be; Can/Can’t; Possessive Adjectives; Possessive ‘s; Present Continuous; Present Continuous Questions; Present Simple with the Verb Have and Regular Verbs; Questions in Present Simple; Should/shouldn’t;

Vocabulary: Family Members; Colours; Clothes, Animal homes; Animals; Parts of the Day, Weather Words, Hobbies and Free-time Activities; Musical instruments; Basic Economics, Math, Science, Music, Art terms.

Functional language: Introducing people, Describing Friends, Animals; Warning People; Making Suggestions; Inviting People; Asking about Age; Borrowing/Lending; Apologizing; Giving Advice; Asking for Help; Complimenting; Asking and Guessing; Expressing wants and Needs;

TESTING AND GRADING

Learners’ progress is objectively assessed by conducting tests on a regular basis. Tests and quizzes are specially drawn up on the language material that has been studied so far. The number of tests may vary. There is always a mid-term test in the end of the first semester of the course and a final test in the end of the year. Students’ achievement is graded, using the following evaluation scale (BG grading): 90-100 % - 6; 78-89% - 5; 66-77 % - 4; 53- 65 % - 3; 0-50 % - 2. The overall course grading includes regular attendance of classes, conscientious work in class, systematic homework assignment fulfillment, and test scores. A score of 66% and above is considered a passing result.

× Starter

COURSE DESIGN AND DURATION
The Younger Learners Starter course consists of 120 academic hours in two semesters. Classes are taught two times a week (two hours per session) by a team of a Bulgarian instructor and a native speaker. Oxford Discover 2 is the course book used in this level.

COURSE GOALS The main goal of the course is to teach students English grammar and vocabulary at level A1+. This level will benefit students who are in fourth or fifth grade at school. It will consolidate the skills they have developed and add more. It reinforces and expands their knowledge in grammar and vocabulary, reading and listening skills.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Introduce students to the theoretical and practical knowledge of using: pronouns and adverbs, simple past of verb Be, simple past questions, modal verbs Can and May, prepositions, comparative and superlative degree
Introduce quantifiers and questions with quantifiers
Provide sufficient practice for the students; hand out additional materials if/when necessary; show practical application of all new grammar and verbal constructions.
Teach new vocabulary as prompted by the themes included in the book; teach words and their synonyms when appropriate.

LANGUAGE INPUT

Grammar: Subject, Object and Possessive Pronouns: Adverbs of Frequency; Adverbs of Time; Simple Past of Verb Be; Past Simple Questions and Short Answers; Regular and Irregular Verbs; Modal Verbs Can and May; Prepositions of Place and Time; Comparative and Superlative Adjectives; Subject-Verb Agreement

Vocabulary: The World of Animals and Plants; Animal Body Parts; Materials and Physical Science; Transportation in the Past and Present; Math; People’s Jobs and Communication; Earth and the Environment; Natural Resources; Music and Art; Computers and Sports

Functional Language: Expressing Sympathy; Describing Animals; Food and Ingredients; Describing Travel and Transport; Offering, Apologizing; Being Polite; Giving Opinions; Describing Music and Emotions; Offering to Help; Describing Sports and Art

TESTING AND GRADING

Elementary

COURSE DESIGN AND DURATION
The Younger Learners Elementary course consists of 120 academic hours in two semesters. Classes are taught two times a week (two hours per session) by a team of a Bulgarian instructor and a native speaker. Oxford Discover 3 is the course book used in this level.

COURSE GOALS The main goal of the course is to teach students English grammar and vocabulary at level A2. This level will benefit students who are in fifth or sixth grade at school. It will consolidate the skills they have developed and add more. It reinforces and expands their knowledge in grammar and vocabulary, reading and listening skills.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Introduces students to the theoretical and practical knowledge of using: past simple, comparisons, going to, must/mustn’t, prepositions-at, on, in, past continuous, If clauses
Introduce modal verbs may, might/mightn’t
Provide sufficient practice for the students; hand out additional materials if/when necessary; show practical application of all new grammar and verbal constructions.
Teach new vocabulary as prompted by the themes included in the book; teach words and their synonyms when appropriate.

LANGUAGE INPUT

Grammar: Gerunds; -ed and -ing adjectives; Can and Could; Present Real Conditional; Will; Be going to; Have to/needed to/wanted to; May/Might; prepositions of movement; Adjectives with prepositions; Past continuous (interrupted past), Comparative/Superlative; Quantifiers; Too/Either; Measure words

Vocabulary: Sport terms and verbs; Hobbies; Vocabulary connected to urban life and life in the country; animals; Transport; Physical appearance; Time words; Aches and pains; Musical instruments; Tools and inventions; Geographical and mathematical terms. As well as Word Study on: phrases with get, suffixes, syllables, contractions, compound nouns, synonyms and antonyms.

Functional Language: Writing Poetry; Asking for Help; Asking Opinions; Giving Encouragement; Similarities and Differences; Asking for and Giving Directions; Talking About Time and Weather; Share Knowledge; Talk about Inventions; Asking for Permission; Describing People and Objects; Giving Reasons; Tell a Story; Summer School: The summer course consists of 60 academic hours taught by a Bulgarian instructor and a native speaker. It follows the grammar, vocabulary and functional language covered throughout the year. Its main objective is to allow students who have completed the year course consolidate their knowledge and skills. It also presents new students with the opportunity to revise grammar and vocabulary they have studied, learn new material and gain confidence in speaking. This is why the summer course is dedicated to a more conversational and practical use of English. The book required for Elementary is Oxford Grammar for Schools.

TESTING AND GRADING

Pre-Intermediate

COURSE DESIGN AND DURATION
The Younger Learners Pre-Intermediate course consists of 120 academic hours in two semesters. Classes are taught two times a week (two hours per session) by a team of a Bulgarian instructor and a native speaker. Oxford Discover 4 is the course book used in this level.

COURSE GOALS

The main goal of the course is to teach students English grammar and vocabulary at level B1. This level will benefit students who are in sixth or seventh grade at school. It will consolidate the skills they have developed and add more. It reinforces and expands their knowledge in grammar and vocabulary, reading and listening skills.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Introduce students to the theoretical and practical knowledge of using: predictions with will, future real conditionals, verbs followed by infinitives and the gerunds, present continuous for future plans, polite offers, indefinite pronouns, offers with shall and will, negative indefinite pronouns, tag questions, order of adjectives, used to, present perfect tense
Introduce modal verbs must, mustn’t, have to, don’t have to
Provide sufficient practice for the students; hand out additional materials if/when necessary; show practical application of all new grammar and verbal constructions.
Teach new vocabulary as prompted by the themes included in the book; teach words and their synonyms when appropriate.

LANGUAGE INPUT

Grammar: Predictions with Will, Future Real Conditionals, Verbs Followed by Infinitives and Gerunds, Present Continuous for Future Plans, Polite Offers, Indefinite Pronouns, Offers with Shall and Will, Negative Indefinite Pronouns, Tag questions, Order of Adjectives, Used to, Present Perfect Tense

Vocabulary: Science: Astronomy; Social Studies: History, Geography, Society, Technology; Earth Science; Life Science; Art Functional Language: Talking about differences; Giving Reasons; Talking about Pictures; Giving Reasons, Examples and Opinions, Talking and Asking about Needs

TESTING AND GRADING

Intermediate

COURSE DESIGN AND DURATION
The Younger Learners Intermediate course consists of 120 academic hours in two semesters. Classes are taught two times a week (two hours per session) by a team of a Bulgarian instructor and a native speaker. Oxford Discover 5 is the course book used in this level.

COURSE GOALS

The main goal of the course is to teach students English grammar and vocabulary at level B1+. This level will benefit students who are in sixth or seventh grade at school. It will consolidate the skills they have developed and add more. It reinforces and expands their knowledge in grammar and vocabulary, reading and listening skills.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Introduce students to the theoretical and practical knowledge of using: present tenses, modals of ability and certainty, future forms, reported speech, questions and short answers, passives, adjectives and adverbs, unreal conditional, sense verbs, articles
Introduce infinitives as subjects and adverbs of degree
Provide sufficient practice for the students; hand out additional materials if/when necessary; show practical application of all new grammar and verbal constructions.
Teach new vocabulary as prompted by the themes included in the book; teach words and their synonyms when appropriate.

LANGUAGE INPUT

Grammar: Present Perfect Simple and Present Perfect Continuous; Review of Present Tenses; Modals of Ability and Certainty; Future Forms with Will, Going to and Present Continuous; Reported Speech; Passives; Adjectives and Adverbs; Unreal Conditional; Sense Verb + Adjective; Infinitive as Subject; Articles

Vocabulary: Extinct Animals and Environmental Protection; Life Science: Teeth; Transportation in the Past, Now and the Future; The Ways Animals Communicate; Different Cultures, Progress and Inventions; Earth Science: Mountains; Money; Human Feelings and Self-expression; Architecture and Technology

Functional Language: Expressing and Explaining Opinions; Giving reasons; Comparing Things; Planning Trips; Giving and Asking for Advice; Summarizing Information; Making Suggestions; Interviewing; Future Plans; Expressing Thanks; Giving Reasons; Accepting or Refusing Invitations; Using Question Words; Talking about Money

TESTING AND GRADING