Bulgarian is not one of those languages that foreigners usually plan to learn in advance. Most people who come to Bulgaria find themselves in this situation for practical reasons — work, a partner, study, family or settling permanently in the country. This makes learning Bulgarian different from learning other languages: it is rarely a hobby, but rather a necessity, and sometimes it is also the key to feeling that you truly live here, rather than simply staying here.

Bulgarian belongs to the South Slavic language group and is the only Slavic language written in the Cyrillic alphabet that does not use cases — a feature that makes it more accessible to people with a Romance or Germanic linguistic background than its sister languages. The Cyrillic alphabet can be learnt in a matter of days rather than months — it is phonetic and consistent. The challenges of the language lie elsewhere: the specific sounds unfamiliar to most foreigners, such as ‘zh’, ‘shch’, ‘ts’ and ‘ch’; declension — at the end of the word rather than before it; and the rich verb system with three past tenses.

The Bulgarian language courses for foreign learners that we offer are structured in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) — the international standard used to assess foreign language proficiency in Europe. The programme covers levels A1 to C2, with each level building on the previous one in terms of vocabulary, grammar, speaking, listening, reading and writing. The cultural component is an integral part of every course: the language is taught within the context of everyday life in Bulgaria — traditions, customs, ways of thinking and the specific features of communication.

Bulgarian language course for foreign adults

The beginners’ course for adults is designed for people with no prior knowledge of Bulgarian — or with only a few words and phrases picked up in everyday situations. The course is taught online in small groups, which ensures plenty of speaking practice and constant attention to each participant’s individual progress.

Level A1 is taught in two parts — A1.1 and A1.2 — each comprising 36 lessons of 50 minutes, held twice a week for 100 minutes over a period of ten weeks. Evening and weekend groups are available.

The programme begins with the Cyrillic alphabet: reading, writing and pronunciation of all sounds, including those specific to the language. The grammar covers the verb ‘to be’ and personal pronouns, the present tense of basic verbs, the gender and number of nouns, agreement between nouns and adjectives, and question words. The vocabulary comprises around 500–700 key words and everyday expressions, learnt within the context of topics such as self-introduction, nationality and occupation, shopping and ordering in a restaurant, finding your way around the city, using public transport and visiting the doctor. The methodology is based on role-plays and simulations of real-life situations, as language is only acquired permanently when embedded in a meaningful context. By the end of A1.2, participants will be able to read and write in the Cyrillic alphabet, fill in forms with personal details, write short emails and communicate independently in a wide range of everyday situations. This also provides the necessary foundation for sitting the A1-level Bulgarian language exam.

The subsequent levels – A2, B1, B2 and C1 – build on each other progressively, covering past tenses, more complex grammatical structures, written expression, and academic and professional language.

Course for adults: 18+ years

Course load: 36 teaching hours × 50 mins (A1.1, A1.2, B1.1, B1.2, C1.1, C1.2)

Format: 2 sessions per week × 100 mins / 2 months

Timetable: Evenings or weekends

Delivery: Online, small groups

Included: All course materials, lesson recordings

Single course (A1.1 or A1.2): €320

One-to-one lessons: €25 per lesson