A qualified specialist is the key to the future

Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KazNU), in collaboration with the “Turks and Kin Communities Abroad” organization of the Republic of Turkey and Istanbul’s Ibn Khaldun University, conducted an international one-month seminar. The seminar, focused on “Teaching the Turkish Language in Kazakhstan”, was held online for three weeks and offline for one week, concluding at KazNU.

Faculty members from the Department of Turkology and Language Theory participated in the seminar to enhance their professional skills. The professional development course facilitated experience exchange between lecturers from both universities, discussions on innovations in teaching methods, and mastering new technologies for application in lectures. Future collaboration between the two universities on various educational and methodological projects was also discussed.

Seminar participants proposed strengthening bilateral relations between Al-Farabi KazNU and Ibn Khaldun University based on a mutual agreement. Additionally, Kazakh and Turkish lecturers exchanged ideas on jointly developing educational materials. The proposed textbooks are intended for teaching Turkish in Kazakhstan, addressing issues in students’ acquisition of the language and aiming to optimize learning outcomes.

Beyond textbooks, discussions also covered academic mobility programs, enabling students to study in both countries, and organizing activities during summer vacations focused on language learning. Strengthening international cooperation was emphasized, including facilitating the arrival of Turkish students to Al-Farabi University to learn the Kazakh language and familiarize themselves with Kazakh culture. In turn, Ibn Khaldun University suggested organizing summer courses in Istanbul for lecturers from Turkic-speaking countries to enhance their teaching skills, and both parties agreed to continue negotiations on this initiative.

During the final seminar at Al-Farabi KazNU, instructors mastered modern innovative technologies for language teaching. To make learning Turkish easier and more engaging, participants explored various platforms and utilized artificial intelligence tools. Lecturers from Ibn Khaldun University shared their teaching methods in Kazakhstan, and both sides conducted open lectures using modern techniques to develop speaking, listening, writing, and pronunciation skills.

At the conclusion of the professional development course, all participants received certificates of completion. The faculty members of the Department of Turkology and Language Theory expressed gratitude to KazNU for organizing and supporting such a meaningful and valuable initiative.

Kanat ASHIRKULOV,
Shynarai BURKITBAEVA,
Faculty members of the Department of Turkology and Language Theory