TEFL in BUlgariaIn the spring of 2016, I was awarded an English Teaching Assistantship through the U.S. State Department's Fulbright Program. In September I began teaching at Aprilov High School in Gabrovo, Bulgaria. I teach over 300 students in grades 8th-12th. Most students spend one hour a week with me. I focus this hour on speaking to align with the goals of the head teachers. Despite my title being "English Teaching Assistant" I teach and plan all of my classes on my own. This affords me the freedom to integrate a variety of skills and activities into the lesson.
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Speech & Debate |
Another role I serve at my school is coach of the speech and debate team. The team is part of a larger organization known as Bulgarian English Speech & debate Tournament (BEST). I work with students to prepare for one or more of the five categories: prose, poetry, originial oratory, duo interpretation, and debate. While I delegate many tasks to my student ambassadors on the team, I create the schedule and run the logistics. In December, I traveled with 20 students to Shumen, Bulgaria for a regional tournament. This club is an incredible way for students to further their English proficiency as they write, read, and perform. Not only does it improve students' English, but it also raises self-confidence and improves public speaking.
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Cultural Studies |
In addition to my English classes, I teach two cultural studies classes. These classes are sepcifically focused on learning about cultures where English is the dominant language. My school and cooperating teachers have created the classes that I teach to focus on the United States of America. I have used this class to discuss major events in US history, compare US and Bulgaria's cultural values, and talk about high school life in the US.
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Elementary |
I volunteered at a local elementary school in my town in Bulgaria during the 2017 spring semester. I co-taught third and fourth grade students with the English teacher for two hours each week.
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