About the program

Because Kazakh is the state language, all Kazakhstani undergraduate students are required to take two courses (six credits) of the general Kazakh language.  Only one Kazakh language course is permitted per semester.

No Kazakh language courses are offered in Summer 1 and 2.

Kazakhstani students will be given a diagnostic test in the first day of class to determine their level of proficiency and to ensure that they have registered for an appropriate course. Placement is determined by diagnostic tests, interviews and consultations.

In addition to required 6 credits of General Kazakh language, Kazakhstani students should choose one of the professional language courses according to the type of school they attended:

  • Students who graduated from a Russian-medium school take a course in Professional Kazakh.
  • Students who graduated from a Kazakh-medium school take a course in Professional Russian.

Three courses of Professional Russian and Professional Kazakh at various levels are offered. Students should read the course descriptions to choose the best course for their needs. Alternatively, they may ask the College of Humanities and Education’s Advising Coordinator or the Kazakh Language Program Coordinator for guidance.

International students can choose and take 8 credits of General Kazakh or General Russian.

Because of differences in curriculum requirements, students who started their studies in Fall 2007, or thereafter, receive three credits for a Kazakh course, but pre-Fall 2007 students receive only two credits per course.

The following courses are offered to international students:

 

Course Code Course Title  Number of credits Prerequisite  
KAZ 1501 Beginning Kazakh  3  credits  no
KAZ 1502 Elementary Kazakh 3 credits KAZ1501 Beginning Kazakh
KAZ 1504 Pre-Intermediate Kazakh  3  credits KAZ1502 Elementary  Kazakh
KAZ2101

 

Professional Kazakh 1 2  credits KAZ1502 Elementary Kazakh or    KAZ 1504 Pre-Intermediate Kazakh

The following courses are offered to graduates of Russian-medium schools:

Course Code Course Title  Number of credits Prerequisite  
KAZ1504 Pre-Intermediate Kazakh  3  credits none
KAZ1506 Intermediate Kazakh 3  credits KAZ1504 Pre-Intermediate Kazakh
KAZ 1507 Upper-Intermediate Kazakh 3  credits KAZ1506  Intermediate Kazakh
KAZ 1508 Advanced  Kazakh 3  credits Upper-Intermediate Kazakh
KAZ2102 Professional Kazakh 2 2  credits KAZ1506 Intermediate Kazakh

The following courses are offered for graduates of Kazakh-medium schools:

Course Code Course Title  Number of credits Prerequisite  
KAZ2002 Business Kazakh  3  credits  None
KAZ2004 Public Speaking in Kazakh (Elective course)  3  credits KAZ2002 Business Kazakh  or  KAZ2003 Kazakh Language and Culture
KAZ2003 Kazakh language and culture (Elective course) 3  credits KAZ2002 Business Kazakh  or  KAZ2004 Public Speaking in Kazakh
RUS2103 Professional Russian 3 2 credits KAZ2002 Business Kazakh 2 or KAZ2003 Kazakh Language and Culture or   KAZ2004 Public Speaking in Kazakh

Faculty

Zauresh Yernazarova (6)

Zauresh Yernazarova

Assistant Professor

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Doctor of Philology
National Scientific Academy of the Republic of Kazakhstan


Akmaral Kurmanaliyeva (4)

Akmaral Kurmanaliyeva

Senior Lecturer

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CSc in Philology
National Scientific Academy of the Republic of Kazakhstan


Nuraisha Bekeyeva (2)

Nuraisha Bekeyeva

Senior Lecturer

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CSc in Philology
al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan


Laila Yermenbayeva (5)

Laila Yermenbayeva

Senior Lecturer

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CSc in Pedagogy
Abay Kazakh National Pedagogical University


Arailym Sarbassova (2)

Arailym Sarbassova

Lecturer

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MA in Linguistics
Abay Kazakh National Pedagogical University


Raushan Smagulova-150x150

Raushan Smagulova

Senior Lecturer

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CSc
Kazakh Ablay khan University of International Relations and World Languages, Almaty, Kazakhstan (2003)


Course Descriptions

KAZAKH LANGUAGE

KAZ1501 Beginning Kazakh (previously KAZ1401) (3 credits; 5 credits of ECTS)

Prerequisites: None

Note: Students with Turkic language background, such as Kyrgyz, Uzbek or Uighur, should register for KAZ1502 Elementary Kazakh 1 (previously KAZ1402) (3 credits).

This course is intended for those international students who have never been exposed to any Turkic language before. Students will first learn the Kazakh alphabet. Then they will learn to understand, read and write simple words and phrases and to participate in easy conversations by using those phrases and sentences learned in the course.

KAZ1502 Elementary Kazakh (previously KAZ1402) (3 credits; 5 credits of ECTS)

Prerequisites: KAZ1501 Beginning Kazakh for students with non-Turkic language background and none for students with Turkic language background

This course provides students with knowledge of basic vocabulary and elementary grammar and to develop basic listening skills on everyday topics and reading skills of uncomplicated texts. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to create simple texts and participate in social conversations by using familiar word constructions and vocabulary.

KAZ1504 Pre-Intermeduate Kazakh  (3 credits; 5 credits of ECTS)

Prerequisites: KAZ1402 or KAZ1502 Elementary Kazakh or none for Kazakhstani students

This course is intended for students with knowledge of basic Kazakh. During the course students will develop skills in understanding of main points in simple texts, and with the help of familiar questions they will be able to understand conversations and interviews on various topics, such as: work, study, vacation, etc. They will learn to speak freely by means of abstracts (culture, film, book, music, etc.) and general topics; to express their attitudes; and to develop their skills in writing essays and short reports.

KAZ1506 Intermediate Kazakh (previously KAZ1404) (3 credits; 5 credits of ECTS)

Prerequisites: KAZ1504 Pre-Intermediate Kazakh 2 or placement according to the results of the diagnostic test

This course is intended to develop students’ ability to summarize texts on general topics and those related to their major. Students will develop the skills of accurate use of Kazakh vocabulary and widely used phrases and sentences. Students will also learn to participate in discussions, to compile meaningful texts on familiar or interesting topics and to write short essays on assigned topics by using word combinations and sentences learned in the course.

KAZ1507 Upper Intermediate Kazakh (3 credits; 5 credits of ECTS)

Prerequisite: RUS 1306 Intermediate

This is an upper intermediate course aimed at enhancing the four basic skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing.  The course is taught in Kazakh by native-speakers.  Vocabulary, and oral communication skills, as well as comprehension and production of written Kazakh, will be taught through a combination of class discussion and focused individual and group exercises, using tutor-recommended texts and multimedia resources.  The course will encourage students to read and comprehend news and journals in the original language; provide students an opportunity to bolster vocabulary for both literary and Kazakhstani contextual needs; conduct research and compose coherent written or recorded texts on various topics.  The communicative component will cover both everyday situations and formal presentations related to students’ research interests, focusing on vocabularies for specific needs, such as travel, business, socializing, or tourism.

KAZ1508 Advanced Kazakh (3 credits; 5 credits of ECTS)

Prerequisite: RUS 1308 Upper Intermediate

This course provides lower advanced students of Kazakh with an opportunity to continue their study of the language, concentrating on the development of the four skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening. To strengthen their writing, students will be required to write several essays during the course of the semester. Work for the course will involve regular study of new vocabulary, reading a variety of texts, and writing essays. A main focus of this course is communication within a variety of contexts while trying to enhance listening, reading comprehension, and oral proficiency.

KAZ2001 Business Kazakh (previously KAZ1406) (3 credits; 5 credits of ECTS)

Prerequisites: KAZ1506 Intermediate Kazakh or placement according to the results of the diagnostic test

This course is designed to develop students’ communication and correspondence in Kazakh business language. It is also focused on teaching students to work effectively with professional literature in their field of study, to express themselves effectively when making formal presentations, compiling and analyzing research projects, participating in business debates, and solving and negotiating various business issues.

KAZ2003 Kazakh Language and Culture (previously KAZ1408) (3 credits; 5 credits of ECTS)

Prerequisites: Kazakh school certificate or KAZ1405/KAZ16-7 Intermediate Kazakh or KAZ1406/KAZ2001 Business Kazakh or KAZ1409/KAZ2004 Business Correspondence in Kazakh or KAZ1410KAZ2005 Public Speaking in Kazakh or placement according to the results of the diagnostic test

This course is designed for students with at least upper intermediate proficiency in Kazakh. The course enables students to become familiar with the culture of Kazakh people, and to develop competence in dialogue and communication in Kazakh.  Students learn to lead and participate in discussions and debates on vital topics and to develop their critical thinking skills. The course introduces fixed phrases, sayings and idioms reflecting the national particularities of Kazakh culture that students then use in research projects in the course.

KAZ2005 Public Speaking in Kazakh (previously KAZ1410) (3 credits; 5 credits of ECTS)

Prerequisites: Kazakh school certificate or KAZ1406/KAZ2001 Business Kazakh 1 or KAZ1407.KAZ2002 Business Kazakh 2 or KAZ1408/KAZ2003 Kazakh Language and Culture or KAZ1409.KAZ2004 Business Correspondence in Kazakh or placement according to the results of the diagnostic test

This course is mainly intended for students who have a strong command of the Kazakh literary language, as well as for those who have oratory and creative abilities. In this course students will learn to express their own opinions freely and use more complex language.  The course also develops students’ leadership qualities, which are necessary for success in the public domain when speaking to an audience, dealing with a situation or being resourceful in decision-making.

Students are referred to the relevant section of the College of Humanities and Education catalog for regulations pertaining to registration for a professional Kazakh course.

KAZ2101  Professional Kazakh 1  (2 credits; 3 credits of ECTS)

Prerequisites: KAZ1502 Elementary Kazakh or KAZ1504 Pre-Intermediate Kazakh

This course is intended for students with knowledge of basic Kazakh. In this course students increase their economic and professional vocabulary in the sphere of business communications. Students will develop their speaking abilities, which often employ structures and word forms of business communications. Students also will be able to discern key information in professional texts, write short reports, and analyze and construct texts.

KAZ2102 Professional Kazakh 2 (2 credits; 3 credits of ECTS)

Prerequisites: KAZ1506 Intermediate Kazakh

This course is designed for students with an intermediate level of Kazakh. In this course students will learn professional terms and various vocabularies in their specialty and develop speaking skills in the area of their profession. Students will also be able to express themselves freely in official business communication spheres and take part in interviews according to their specialties on general professional topics.

KAZ2103 Professional Kazakh 3 (2 credits; 3 credits of ECTS)

Prerequisites: KAZ2001 Business Kazakh

The aim of this course is to develop students’ abilities to summarize texts on general topics and topics related to core courses/subjects. Students learn to understand the main idea of a text of average complexity on certain topics, speak fluently, communicate with native-speakers of Kazakh language, participate in discussions and express their thoughts in writing and speaking.

KAZ3302 Business Communication in Kazakh (3 credits; 5 credits of ECTS)

Prerequisites: Advanced-level proficiency in Kazakh

This course is designed for native speakers of Kazakh and for students with advanced knowledge of Kazakh as a second language. It is meant to provide students with a comprehensive view of Kazakh business communication, and its scope and importance in business. The course also aims to expand students’ awareness of certain important aspects of business life such as corporate culture, guiding principles of business ethics, cross-cultural relations in business, business communications by e-mail, Kazakh standards of office management and so forth. This course offers opportunities to develop communication skills through speaking and writing assignments and presentations based on research of real business cases.