Language teaching at the Naval Academy started as early as when the school was established in 1881. The oldest documents reveal that the first language studied was Russian. Since at the beginning the Academy had the status of a technical school Bulgarian was also taught. In 1914 г. the curricula were substantially changed and French and German were introduced (as optional subjects). After the end of World War 1 English was also included. At the end of 19th and the beginning of 20th century there worked some renowned language teachers like Stoyan Zagorchinov, Vassil Stavrev, Lieut. Com. Pell, Alfred Achtenberg, Herman Holter.
After the end of World War 2 the main languages studied at the Academy were English and Russian. In 1953 an autonomous Foreign Language Cycle (a structure preceding the department) was established. On 1 September 1974 the Cycle was transformed into a full-fledged Foreign Language Department.
Today the department comprises a lot of highly qualified teachers (three associate professors, one doctor, seven senior lecturers and two lecturers) who teach English, Russian, and German to the students of all the specialties at the Academy. The foreign students study English and also Bulgarian.
The language teachers write and update textbooks, dictionaries and teaching materials which meet the needs and the specifics of any of the specialties in compliance with the requirements of the International Maritime Organization for the training and assessment of seafarers.
Since 1997 the department has been actively participating in international training projects of The British Council: English for Peacekeeping Purposes (1997-2006) and of the European Union: Erasmus and Leonardo (lecturers from the department read lectures in universities in Italy, Romania, Turkey, The Czech Republic, Estonia).