Bulgarian for Foreigners

Levels & Courses

Edno School offers a wide variety of Bulgarian language courses and levels, specially designed to meet the needs of expats and foreigners living in Bulgaria, as well as anyone who is interested in learning Bulgarian as a foreign language

Edno School currently offers 7 sub-levels on a regular basis: A0, A1.1, A1.2, A2.1, A2.2, B1.1 and B1.2There are 3 types of standard courses: REGULAR (twice a week, 8-12 weeks), INTENSIVE (4-5 days a week, 2-4 weeks) and SPEAKING (1-2 weeks)

There are 3 types of specialized courses: Corporate Bulgarian courses (for companies’ employees), Bulgarian language courses for medical students and Bulgarian for young learners (children 4-12 years old; teens 13-17 years old)

During holiday periods and vacations, we organize seasonal courses, our most successful and popular being our Summer School for Bulgarian Language and Culture

We offer 5 forms of learning: face-to-face group courses, online group courses, 1-2-1 (individual) face-to-face classes, 1-2-1 (individual) online classes and blended learning – face-to-face and online for both group courses and individual lessons.

Our flexibility enables us to run courses on demand – we can start a course of a different level, different dates, different format and with specific goals and topics.

Upon successful completion of a level, you will be awarded a certificate of completion of the respective level (80% attendance and 60% on the final test).

Bulgarian language levels at Edno School

You have probably heard of the CEFR levels (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2). They are a tool of a European recognized guidelines system for language mastery. At Edno School we follow these guidelines when we plan, develop and deliver our Bulgarian courses for foreigners or Bulgarian as a foreign language courses.

First steps: Bulgarian for foreigners who have no or very little previous knowledge

If you have never studied Bulgarian before, we have a few options for you.
If you are a complete beginner, there is our Survival Bulgarian course. It is a short, fun, practical and super easy course. It is designed especially for newcomers and visitors to the country. This course is great if you want to:

Set a solid foundation in your learning of Bulgarian

Build confidence speaking, listening, reading and writing Bulgarian in simple everyday situations

Understand the main logic of the language and get comfortable with the most important grammar aspects

Learn how to ask questions and form negative and positive sentences

Get lots of speaking practice

Build good vocabulary on everyday topics

Build your confidence using Bulgarian

A1.1 Level (Complete beginners)

This course covers some of the material from the A0 course but goes much deeper. It is known to be a demanding one as it teaches you all the fundamental grammar. Any gaps from this level usually result in confusion and slower progress in the future. To make sure you progress smoothly and steadily, our course structure and content only include practical topics and focus on your immediate needs with lots of repetition.
This course is the perfect continuation to A0 level. It is also extremely useful for people who have done some self-study, know another Slavonic language or have picked up some phrases, grammar, etc. from living in Bulgaria.
This course is great for you if you want to:

Learn how to read Cyrillic.

Read and understand a simple menu (at the café or restaurant).

Order food and drinks.

Impress your friends with short dialogues

Use some common phrases

Get an idea how Bulgarian works

Get acquainted with the local culture

See how you like learning Bulgarian and then join a more demanding course in Bulgarian for foreigners

Bulgarian for foreigners who already have some knowledge

Here is a self-assessment grid that contains the entry language requirements we have for each one of the levels. Even if you can “place” yourself into one of these levels, we would still go through the placement testing and your needs assessment.

Bulgarian lessons for foreigners with knowledge

Bulgarian language levels at Edno School & Recommended hours

Entry Requirements for the level

Survival Bulgarian
(12 hours)

I do not know any Bulgarian but I am eager to start!

A1.1

Complete beginners
(30 hours)

I know a few words and phrases and understand a little bit when people speak. I know the Cyrillic alphabet. I have lived in Bulgaria for some time or have been exposed to the language. I cannot make a full correct sentence in Bulgarian yet.

A1.2

Beginners
(30 hours)

I can read Cyrillic well. I can handle very basic everyday situations such as ordering a drink or a meal in Bulgarian, asking and answering simple questions. I can form a simple sentence, usually with errors. I can use the present tense. I only understand when people speak very slowly and clearly. I can write, read and understand very simple and short texts.

A2.1

Elementary
(45 hours)

I can handle a lot of everyday simple situations in Bulgarian. I can talk about myself – my life, my hobbies, my family, etc. I can apply the basic grammar (noun & adjective gender, plural forms, definite articles & verb conjugations) when I speak. I speak slowly, make mistakes and lack vocabulary. I can understand longer simple texts within my vocabulary range.

A2.2

Pre-intermediate
(45 hours)

I can talk about and understand a lot of everyday topics in a simple but clear way. I understand enough to catch the topic of most conversations within my experience. I can talk about the past and future. I am well aware of the Bulgarian verb aspect but still make mistakes. I can understand simple short stories, adapted articles and longer texts within my vocabulary range.

B1.1

Intermediate
(60 hours)

I understand the majority of conversations within my range of topics. I understand when people speak faster. I can express most of what I want to say – in the past, future or present. I still speak slowly but my natural speed is improving. My vocabulary is sufficient to participate in conversations and understand longer adapted texts.

B1.2

Intermediate +
(60 hours)

I understand almost everything from conversations within my level. I speak faster and make fewer mistakes. I can switch between formal and informal register without any difficulty. My vocabulary is significant enough so I can share my opinion in discussions. I can read and understand longer and more complicated text.

*B2.1

Upper-Intermediate
(60 hours)

I feel I can express anything I would like to in Bulgarian. I understand enough to pick up new words from the context and guess their meaning. I still struggle with more abstract grammar and structures but I can use them well in writing and when I have enough time to think. I can read and understand non-adapted texts within my level range.

*C1.1

Advanced
(90 hours)

I can express myself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. I can present clear, detailed descriptions of complex subjects. I can write about complex subjects in a letter, an essay or a report.

*C1.2

Advanced +
(90 hours)

I can use language flexibly and effectively for social and professional purposes. I can formulate ideas and opinions with precision and relate my contribution skillfully to those of other speakers. I can select style appropriate to the reader in mind.

*C2.1

Proficiency
(90 hours)

I have no difficulty in understanding any kind of spoken language, whether live or broadcast, even when delivered at fast native speed, provided I have some time to get familiar with the accent. I can take part effortlessly in any conversation or discussion and have a good familiarity with idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms.

*C2.2

Proficiency +
(90 hours)

I can express myself fluently and convey finer shades of meaning precisely. If I do have a problem I can backtrack and restructure around the difficulty so smoothly that other people are hardly aware of it. I can write clear, smoothly-flowing text in an appropriate style. I can write complex letters, reports or articles which present a case with an effective logical structure which helps the recipient to notice and remember significant points. I can write summaries and reviews of professional or literary works.

*Currently, these courses are only offered on demand.