First English Language School
| First English Language School | |
|---|---|
 Panoramic view of the courtyard and the building of the First English Language School (July 1, 2025) | |
| Location | |
 | |
60 Knyaz Aleksandar Dondukov Blvd. | |
| Information | |
| Type | Foreign language school |
| Established | 1958 |
| Authority | Ministry of Education and Science |
| Principal | Aleksandar Chakmakov |
| Website | Official website |
First English Language School – Sofia is a state foreign language school, established in 1958 as the first school in Bulgaria to offer intensive English language instruction. It is a direct successor of the English Department at the Exarch Joseph I Foreign Language High School in Lovech, whose origins date back to 1881, when American missionary James Challis founded the first private secondary school in Northern Bulgaria with instruction in English and French.
Until 1993, the school was known as 114th English Language School "Lilyana Dimitrova", and since then it has borne its present name. The school is located at 60 Knyaz Aleksandar Dondukov Blvd. in central Sofia, and over the years it has been recognized for its high standards of language education, participation in international programs, and vibrant student life with numerous clubs and cultural initiatives.
Since 20 March 2024, the principal of the school has been Aleksandar Chakmakov, teacher of English.[1]
History
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Aleksandar Chakmakov – Principal". fels-sofia.org.
Administration
[edit]Ms. Bonka Bachvarova was the school's principal for many years, followed by Ms. Nellie Mladenova. The acting principal is Mr. Alexander Chakmakov.[1]
Rankings
[edit]In 2022, the school was in third place for most student applications for 8th grade in Sofia after dropping from the first position in 2021.[2]
Student clubs
[edit]Source:[3]
- Interact club "Sofia-Tangra" - a club for organising different charity events, part of the Rotary International program in Bulgaria;[4]
- "Young Wings" - for the lovers of aviation and astronautics;
- People to People International (PTPI) - "The doves chapter" is a student branch of the People to People International organisation,[5]
- Club "Zelen domat" - a journalism club which publishes a newspaper dedicated to the school;
- Eco-bio club "Green clover" - dedicated to nature, biology and environmental protection;[6]
- Debates club
- Model European Parliament (MEP) - established in 1994 to introduce young people to the process of European integration and to strengthen their interest in European belonging, sessions are organized twice a year in different European countries, where the work of the real European Parliament is simulated;
- Drama club;
- Fashion design Club;
- Photoclub FELS;
- Club of the Bulgarian Youth Red Cross - a club for students who want to learn more about first aid help, prevention from addiction, and social assistance, with association with the Bulgarian Red Cross;
- Patriotism and National Studies - a new initiative with the goal to preserve patriotism and teach students about Bulgarian traditions and literature;[7]
- Club "UN" - related to international relations, politics and economics;
- Folk dance troupe - a dance group performing traditional Bulgarian folk dancing;
- Cheerleading club;
- Orchestra club - an emblem for the school with 40 years history, more than 30 members playing different instruments;
- Bulgarian Interplanetary Society - physics and aerospace engineering club, in partnership with the Mathematic School of Sofia club;
- "The Manchines" - a dancing club;
- "Acrobatic rock'n'roll" - a club combining dancing and rock and roll music;
- Sports club;
- "Informatics" - for students interested in digital technology and artificial intelligence;
- Club "Culinary experts" - dedicated to sharing recipes and cooking.
Notable alumni
[edit]- Miryana Basheva - Bulgarian poet and lyricist;
- Georgi Bliznashki - caretaker Prime Minister of Bulgaria (2014);
- Irina Bokova - Bulgarian politician, Director-General of UNESCO;
- Philip Dimitrov Dimitrov - Bulgarian politician and former prime-minister of Bulgaria (1991–1992);
- Ognyan Doynov - Bulgarian diplomat and cabinet member from the communist period;
- Lubomir Kuychukov - a deputy foreign minister of Bulgaria;
- Veni Markovski - internet pioneer and founder of the Bulgarian Internet Society;
- Bashar Rahal - actor, producer;
- Galina Toneva - Bulgaria's Deputy Chief Prosecutor;
- Ralitsa Vassileva - anchor for CNN World News;
- Boris Velchev - lawyer, member of the Constitutional court of Bulgaria, and former chief prosecutor (attorney-general) in the history of Bulgaria.
References
[edit]- ^ "Leadership". www.fels-sofia.org. Retrieved 2025-04-19.
- ^ "22-ро измести Първа английска в желанията на седмокласниците". СЕГА (in Bulgarian). 2022-07-11. Retrieved 2022-11-20.
- ^ "Клубове - felsofia". www.fels-sofia.org. Retrieved 2022-11-20.
- ^ "За нас". Ротари клуб София-Тангра (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2022-11-20.
- ^ "People to People International - Гълъбите". timeheroes.org. Retrieved 2022-11-20.
- ^ "Първа АЕГ се отличава с академичност и духовност". Академика | образование, наука и култура (in Bulgarian). 2016-05-10. Retrieved 2022-11-20.
- ^ "КЛУБ " РОДОЛЮБИЕ И ОТЕЧЕСТВОЗНАНИЕ " – МЯСТО ЗА ПАТРИОТИЗЪМ Н". PR ZONE (in Bulgarian). 2020-11-26. Retrieved 2022-11-20.