Sir,
I write in response to John Dyer's "Primer on Bulgarian Higher Education" (The Sofia Echo,April 21) to which I take some exception.

I too have been a Fulbright Senior Lecturer (Spring 2004) at the University of Sofia, teaching both undergraduates and MA students in the Department of English and American Studies. Because of the satisfying experience two years ago, I have returned this spring as a visiting professor. My wife, who volunteered to teach undergraduates in a writing course two years ago, felt the same way and is teaching again this spring.

While it is true that class attendance is treated somewhat cavalierly by students, as Dyer complains, this is hardly unique to Bulgarian students. Since the 1960s, most colleges and universities in the US have relaxed rules and penalties regarding attendance; as a result, few professors of my acquaintance take attendance at each class. We generally leave it up to the students to set their priorities. After all, it is their education. As Dyer notes, many students carry heavy course loads and work besides, probably overloading themselves; but as he himself recognises, many often have to work to support themselves and/or their families. I suspect that his course may have been an elective, hence not among the students' top priorities.

Students at the University of Sofia are really quite good. I have never felt the need to lower my standards because English is not their first language, as their command of the language, both oral and written, is more than acceptable. Class discussions are usually stimulating and invariably informative.

As regards staff, both academic and service staff, especially the department secretary, I have only the highest praise for them. Invariably in my experience they have been considerate and forthcoming, offering assistance whenever needed in the friendliest and most effective ways.

Incidentally, as a professor of communication skills, I trust Mr. Dyer will correct his English so that he no longer misuses prepositional constructions. At the risk of sounding pedantic, let me note that "between he and I" is utterly ungrammatical. Perhaps some students decided not to attend his classes regularly to avoid linguistic contamination, or perhaps they simply did not find his course worth the effort. In any event, I hope his "primer," such as it is, does not discourage others from the Fulbright experience here. That would be a great shame-and a great loss on both sides.

Jay L. Halio
Professor of English