University professors have a lot to learn from the achievements of Bulgarian Sunday schools, where teachers are often people from various professions yet they are willing to pass on their knowledge of their native language and history to children growing up abroad. "Our shared goal, of university professors and Sunday schoo teachers, is ultimately for these children to one day return to their homeland and contribute to its development. In this global world, no matter where a person is, what unites us most is our national identity and our common values. And of these, education is one of the most important," says Assoc. Prof. Dr. Anna Ivanova, Vice-Rector of the University of Veliko Tarnovo "St. Cyril and Methodius".

"The problems that Bulgarian Sunday schools have are many and varied, because they are scattered all over the world. These are over 350 schools, and about 250 receive funding from the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science, the rest have to rely on other sources and support. Most often, there are not enough teaching resources, teachers, enthusiastic volunteers to get involved in these activities. And the most difficult thing is to take into account that they are in such an intercultural environment when teaching. Our university provides the opportunity for teachers from these schools to supplement their qualifications through specialized courses /online/, so that they are prepared for these challenges, at least partially. But feedback is very important for us, from an academic point of view, because by sharing their problems, teachers give us the opportunity to invest their competencies in our curricula and programs".

Sunday school teachers have completed their higher education in different places, have different experience, and teacher turnover is not uncommon abroad. In view of these circumstances, the University of Veliko Tarnovo offers staff exchange and additional training for teachers. Through student exchange programs, Sunday schools receive many motivated young people prepared to work with children of different ages, explains Assoc. Prof. Dr. Anna Ivanova.

The University of Veliko Tarnovo develops this way of cooperation with Sunday schools through the tradition of organizing a summer Erasmus week, aimed at the needs of education abroad. In 2024, the sixth such week was held. "Each time the meetings are dedicated to a different topic, with the last one focusing on organizing student internships, exchange of experience between students and teachers," says Assoc. Prof. Dr. Anna Ivanova continues:

"There is always a panel dedicated to teaching methodology. And also a panel dedicated to cultural and extracurricular activities. In addition, there is a topic about the resources that are most suitable for children's education. So we have been implementing these initiatives for six years now. Our desire is to invite as many teachers and directors of our educational centers from abroad as possible, but as far as our capabilities allow, we try to have at least one representative of the schools that have expressed interest in participating in the presented thematic meeting.

One of the goals in the practical work of the University of Veliko Tarnovo is the development of the methodology of teaching in Bulgarian schools abroad. The issue of creating a common standard for teaching Bulgarian where it is studied as a foreign language has long been among the problems discussed by specialists. However, it is very important for each school to have its own resources to use in the work process. "Even any book in Bulgarian can be such a resource. We noticed this and organized a donation of children's books for every Sunday school that visited us during this Erasmus week," Assoc. Prof. Dr. Anna Ivanova also tells us:

"The campaign started in March 2024 and was active until the end of June. Literally the entire university got involved. Employees, teachers, students, everyone brought books to the International Department. There were editions with Bulgarian poems, folk tales, stories by classic Bulgarian authors. In the end, we collected over 330 editions and each school left with a set of books for children to learn to read and have various extracurricular activities. In addition, colleagues from the Faculty of Pedagogy organize online workshops that are also aimed at Bulgarian children.

This academic year we will hold one of the workshops at a higher, university level. This is a format in which on Saturdays and Sundays students and teachers connect with the Sunday school and read together online. Usually we read a Bulgarian fairy tale together, tell riddles, sing songs, talk about Bulgaria and the history of Veliko Tarnovo. In this way, we conduct an informal lesson, which gives the opportunity to "Sunday school students to communicate in Bulgarian and get acquainted with Bulgarian culture. In addition, the students learn more about school life and this is a kind of practice for them. They see how a class is conducted and this is a model that is beneficial for both sides."

Photos: uni-vt.bg, Facebook /University of Veliko Tarnovo "Sts. Cyril and Methodius"