20260616 The Confucius Institute in Sofia Held its 2025-2026 Academic Year Work Summary Meeting

On June 16, the Confucius Institute in Sofia held its 2025-2026 academic year work summary meeting in a hybrid format, combining online and in-person participation. The meeting was attended by 22 participants, including the Bulgarian Director of the Institute Aksiniya Koleva; the Chinese director Chen Ying; Chinese government-sponsored teachers; local teacher; volunteer teachers; and administrative staff. The meeting was chaired by Chinese Director Chen Ying.

Bulgarian Director Aksiniya Koleva introduced the work situation of the current academic year, stating that the Institute achieved results that were particularly prominent in the addition of new teaching sites and in cooperation with local government institutions, and expressed thanks to the teachers for their hard work. Chinese Director Chen Ying affirmed the efforts of the Institute’s team; highlighted the introduction of innovations and breakthroughs in publicity work, made arrangement for the key work of the new academic year, and encouraged all teachers to continue independent learning and to become multi-skilled professionals in international Chinese language education.

In the work summary segment, government-sponsored teachers and volunteer teachers respectively reported on Chinese language teaching, academic research, cultural activities, administrative work, media publicity, and competition coaching, sharing their work experience and reflections, and put forward suggestions for the future development of the Confucius Institute. Through the Institute’s comprehensive evaluation and anonymous voting, the “Outstanding Chinese Language Teacher” and “Outstanding Chinese Language Teacher Volunteer” awards were selected. In addition, based on teachers’ performance, the Institute newly established special outstanding awards for the first time to encourage teachers to fully develop their strengths.

While reviewing the work accomplished during the academic year, the meeting also addressed the difficulties and challenges encountered in teaching and clarified the key tasks for the next academic year. The meeting not only provided a platform for teachers to share experiences and exchange ideas, but also served as an important link between past achievements and the Institute’s future development.

Source: Confucius Institute in Sofia

Text: Ding Chen

Photos: Zhang Kaiyue

Reviewers: Chen Ying, Aksiniya Koleva

English translation: Dima Pironkova