June-July, August-September 2007 Editions, Gus Worth, Editor-in-Chief:
Russ, you have come to Bulgaria via a circuitous route: first some years in Amsterdam , then more years in Russia and now here. It is a long way from Texas in every way, is it?
Texas is a long way from Bulgaria but I don’t think much about things back there because my life and home are here in Bulgaria . I first came to Europe via Amsterdam in 1974 and realized in a matter of days that Europe was where I wanted to be for the rest of my life. There was an atmosphere and excitement in Europe and a place for me that I had never found in my own country. At first Europe was just a fascination, some place different than Texas where I grew up but then it became my passion. In 1992, while still living in Texas, I had the privilege of visiting Russia and it was on this trip that my mind became firmly set on living outside the USA permanently. In 1993, I moved to St. Petersburg and spent six of the most wonderful years of my life teaching and caring for the Russian people. I returned to Texas to live at the end of 1999 but I no longer felt connected to life there. In 2001, I met my wife to be for the first time here in Sofia and we were married the next year. For the past two years, we’ve called Sofia home and are enjoying beautiful Bulgaria one day at a time.
You spent many years working in radio, was that a good way of honing your communication skills?
Believe it or not, it takes a lot of talent to do a daily radio show and attract listeners to just your voice and the music you play. There’s a lot of competition and people have always had many choices when it comes to radio stations in the USA . Radio was a wonderful training ground for me because I was able to develop my communication skills both on the air and off. Of course, in the USA in the radio business you have to speak and write very good English or you don’t last very long. My communication skills which were honed in the radio industry have allowed me to speak to a broad range of people across all spectrums of life in many different places. Studies show that successful people everywhere are the ones who can communicate the best. I believe this is absolutely true for everyone.
You have a passion for teaching English and you believe the teaching of it should be innovative, and utilize the creativity of both teacher and student?
My wife and I are both English teachers here in Sofia . We want people to live the English language and our passion for it constantly pushes us to share what we know with others. I believe that creativity should be encouraged and taught on the same level of importance as reading and writing because without creativity people never realize their full potential. In my language classes, I use everything at my disposal to make the English language appealing and attractive to those who are learning it as a second language. The students need to be encouraged to find every way possible to learn the language and make it a part of their life. The Internet provides me with a wealth of information and videos that keep the classes I teach interesting and informative. Also I am thrilled to have Business Spotlight to use along with all the other innovative things available today. Your magazine has a real finger to the pulse of the English speaking world. I find it very helpful with business students, as well as any others that need good materials to help them learn.
Do you feel that real life scenario based lessons are often the most useful way for students to get the best from their language training?
Yes, I feel that lessons using examples of real life scenarios are the most useful ways of getting students to open up and join the conversation. After all, the goal of every language teacher is to get the students to speak in the language they are learning. If we use subjects or situations that students are not familiar with, they tend to say very little when in class. It’s too much to ask of people who still have inhibitions speaking the language, especially when in the presence of a native teacher. When I open up the discussion in class using real life scenarios that I’ve developed from here in Bulgaria , there is an immediate openness and response.
Is it a problem here that many people get to a certain level with English and no longer feel they need to work at it?
I don’t think it is so much an issue of students getting to a certain level and then deciding they don’t need to work at it anymore. Most realize that they need a lot of work and practice to ever achieve real success with the language. The problem here in Bulgaria seems to be one of language learning burnout. Many language students get to a certain place in their studies when they realize that they are at just about the same level in speaking as they were when they started. This is very discouraging and causes many to stop studying. Perhaps they were never really taught how to actually acquire the language and develop their language skills. It’s important to teach the students how to immerse themselves in the language and use every tool available to improve their skills. Otherwise they never understand what it takes to improve their performance in the language and they often stop working at it. I try to correct this by telling the students that they must do a great deal of self study outside the classroom to be successful. This includes reading books and repetitive listening, both of which are fundamental to learning any language.
Is there much difference, culturally, between Russia and Russia?
There is definitely a difference between the Russian and Bulgarian cultures. Of course, the language, the religion, the bureaucracy and the buildings are similar but the people are very different. I have found the Bulgarians to be a warm and kind people; not given to some of the excesses that you sometimes find in the lives of many Russians. There seems to be a greater connection to family and friends here than in Russia. Individualism is a big thing in both countries and the concept of being part of a team is just about as foreign to the average person here as it is in Russia. There is still a big emphasis on self rather than community in both countries. Perhaps it’s the Slavic personality that makes people in both places the way they are. One thing for sure the Bulgarian culture is a very distinct one and very separate from that of the Russians or even most other Balkan countries.
What frustrates you most about Bulgaria?
The things that frustrate me the most about Bulgaria are the things that frustrate everyone who lives in this country. There is too much traffic and the drivers seem to have little respect for the pedestrians. There are too many holes in the roads and of course, not enough laws being enforced to make the country always an appealing and pleasant place to live. These are things that we all like to complain about and complaining seems to be a cultural thing among the Bulgarians. It’s probably just their way of venting about problems they can do nothing about. I would say that we all are very blessed to be living here and enjoying the many benefits and beauty of this country. I often point out these things to my students because I don’t want the young people here to leave their own country for greener pastures without considering the advantages of life here in Bulgaria. It’s true we have some frustrations to deal with here but this is life everywhere. At least here people are among friends and family and there’s a support network that most would find hard to duplicate anywhere else in the world.
Do you feel you could settle back in America ?
The word settle is an interesting word because that’s what you have to do if you are going to live in a country. Personally, I don’t think I could ever be comfortable back in America because I am accustom to a different life and system now. I have been away from the USA about ten years now counting my years in Russia and that’s a long time. Something happens when you don’t live in a place everyday. You don’t have a sense of connection anymore. When I am in the States my thoughts are always on returning here and continuing my life in my adopted country, Bulgaria . Going to the USA occasionally for the sake of seeing my family is always nice but not for the purpose of settling there again.
Have you made Bulgaria your home?
My wife says I am Bulgarianized. I think that means I have become more Bulgarian than American and I am sure that is true. A person’s motherland is not necessarily the place they call home. Home is where the heart is and even if you attempt to leave your home; your heart will never go with you. It will always say to you, “Go if you must, but I’ll be here waiting for you when you get back.” I have found that to be very true here in Bulgaria . Anytime I am out of the country even for a few days, I cannot wait to board the plane or the bus or whatever and head back to Bulgaria. My life is here and I have found a home here in Bulgaria amongst the Bulgarian people.
Business Spotlight magazine is one of the best ways to learn English for Bulgarians. It is published every other month and will greatly advance the readers knowledge of the language and the world of business. It’s a great investment in your future.
