KazNU and ACCELS: the horizons of co-educatio
The International Conference on Research and Methodology was recently held at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. The conference was called "Flagship Programme: language preparation for certification".
In it’s second year, the government educational project, in coordination with the USA, “Flagship" allows American students the opportunity to experience daily communication in Russian at al-Farabi KazNU. Students study at the University from Wisconsin, California, Oregon, Pennsylvania, etc. according to the academic exchange with the philological faculty.
“Flagship” has had strong influence on the American students. Connor Mikilotti, one of the students, shared: “I love the Russian phraseology. Studying idiomatic phraseology promotes awareness of the originality and richness of the Russian culture. For example, I especially like the expression "подобрать ключик" which means "to find an approach, reach in to a person", which has rich meaning. There is no term in English that reflects this deep meaning”.
The President of the American council for international education (ACCELS), professor Dan Davidson, who was a speaker at the conference, said "The choice by the heads of the Flagship programme to work with Al-Farabi KazNU is rather obvious: at KazNU there are many qualified teachers, specialists in Russian philology and scientists of global renown who have theoretical, educational and methodological works devoted to the Russian language".
"Realization of the educational programme "Flagship" is very successful. The American students attend lectures, are engaged in a learning group, attend a class in their field of study along with Russian students and are engaged in internships here in the city” – the first vice rector of al-Farabi KazNU Mukhambetkali Burkitbayev noted.
Marisa Irvin, one of the students, said "I did an internship at a High School and taught History – and learned during that time the great responsibility of being a teacher. I want to express gratitude to the teachers at Kazakh national university for the knowledge they are giving us.”
The students work in many different businesses and organizations. The doctor of Philological sciences, professor Eleonora Suleimenova said, "The American students conduct lessons and out-of-class events at schools, work in museums, help with a forestry organization, perform research work in a scientific research institute of biology and biotechnology, a scientific research institute of environmental problems and work in editorial offices of the newspapers "Деловой Казахстан (Business Kazakhstan)" and "Литер".
The American students of the "Flagship" programme show sincere interest in studying Kazakh language and culture. Flagship students understand that for them it is an opportunity that will open the door to the world of Turkic languages and culture. At the conference the American students sang songs in Kazakh, including «Көзімнің қарасы» and «Сұлу қыз».
KazNU supports the policy of speaking three languages, Kazakh, Russian and English, which is reflected in the “Flagship” programme. This three language policy among young students in modern society provides a successful introduction to trilingual education.
To strengthen the importance of access to learn the Kazakh language, ACCELS created and maintains the popular training program for the Kazakh language for English-speaking people: a series of two web courses with eleven modules. These modules are called "Central Asian News Broadcasts" and "Windows on Central Asian Culture". The web courses are constantly updated and improved. For almost twenty years, thanks to these courses, anyone can learn Kazakh free of charge. Al-Farabi KazNU appreciates the efforts of ACCELS in supporting the Kazakh language abroad and educational material for all who wish to delve into the Kazakh language and culture.
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