Balneo, spa and wellness

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Lecturers
Students

Sustainability
Tourism

Autonomous learning
Classroom Context

Bulgarian

Any language

B1
B2
C1
C2

Activity/task

Vocabulary
Grammar

Speaking
Writing
Reading

Source is a brochure authored by the Bulgarian Ministry of Tourism, a 24-page richly-illustrated informative and insightful. It is easily accessible and downloadable;
Well-structured, it offers substantial information on the topic in standard colloquial Bulgarian with basic, specific and terminological vocabulary.
Information is presented in several sections: 1. Bulgarian on the world map. Climate and natural resources. 2. Mineral waters of Bulagaria: a brief history of water therapy from the Thracians to present. 3. Places. 4. Map of major baleneo, spas and wellness centres in Bulgaria. 5. Centres today. 6. Bulgaria as a source of health.
Its advertising nature notwithstanding, source offers a wealth of factual and photo material which can be used for language students.
Source has versions in English French, German, Spanish, which make it usable in different linguistic environments.

Source was tested at University of Melitopol in a group of B1 students.
Lecturer used the soft copy for a succint general presentation of the topic, starting with map on p.12.
Students were asked to choose three sections; lecturer presented the basic facts and vocabulary.
Students were invited to ask question on the section presented and given the choice
Students were asked the following questions: 1. Did you like the resource? 2. Were it useful to improve your language skills? 3. Did it increase your motivation to study Bulgarian as LSP? 4. Does it represent an innovative approach to LSP learning? 5. From the technical point of view, are they easy and intuitive to use?

The resource can be used for listening comprehension, oral communication, acquisition of specialized vocabulary and writing skills.
Its structure offers an appropriate scenario for an engaging classwork.
Level A2-B2; can be extended to C1, together with other sources.
Various types of activities can be suggested:
In conversation, students identify the context of communication and the topic, the participants interacting in the dialogue, the relation between them three characteristics of each of the participants
Expected results:
Exposure to contextualized genuine spoken language
Students acquire the specialized vocabulary related to the topic of source.
Students gain knowlege of specific local aspects and problems both from a general broad and specific cultural point of view and from a business perspective; and from an industry-specific point of view (medicine, hospitality industry, economics, sociology).
Source stimulates creative approach to writing,
1. Lecturer introduces topic to student/group/class.
2. Lecturer gives key vocabulary by summarizing the main points about wellness, spa and balneo tourism in Bulgaria: benefits, logistic details, added value.
Vocabulary can be divided as follows: Vocabulary related to the topic is given for each section. For the Sunny Corner (last but one section) it includes international words: бриз/breeze, /sports/mineral, медицински и козметични процедури/medical and cosmetic procedures, reflex therapy, лазерна и ароматерапия/laser and aromatherapy, hotel base; adapted collocations: eco prize еко-награда „син флаг, water sports, items, водни спортове и игри, курортният комплекс etc.; and entirely Bulgarian words and expression: възстановяването, изток, кристално чиста вода, курорт, летовниците, калолечение, море, място, открит и закрит плувен басейн, почивка, природа – залив; се намира/расположен е, слънце, слънчев бряг, слънчев ден, съчетанието etc.
3. Pair and group work: learners are given sections from material / content.
Task: investigate, present, discuss. Practice vocabulary and structures.
4. Homework: create similar content.