Literacy Course for Foreign Children is Piloted in Kazakhstan

Now the course for children from 5 to 17 years old is being tested in pilot schools in Nur-Sultan, Almaty and Shymkent. The focus of the project is on literacy and digital skills.

UNICEF in Kazakhstan, the Akelius Foundation, the International Information Technology University (IITU) and a number of NGOs are working to pilot a Russian language course for foreign children, in particular children who moved to Kazakhstan during or after the COVID-19 pandemic from regions with unstable social and political environment.

Foreign children are significantly behind their peers in terms of the school curriculum. Some do not have access to schools or language classes. They need a special literacy course to start learning. The organizers of the project give such children the opportunity to join formal education, speak and read in the official language of communication in the country.

To this end, since September 2021, nine pilot schools in Kazakhstan have been teaching literacy using a specially designed course on the Akelius platform. Three Nur-Sultan schools participate in the project: school-lyceum No. 60, gymnasium No. 67 and school-lyceum No. 53, three Almaty schools: school-gymnasium No. 152, school-gymnasium No. 186 named after. S. Kopbayev and gymnasium school No. 78, as well as three schools in Shymkent: secondary school No. 76 named after. R. Myrzashev, secondary school No. 39 named after. M. Zhumabayev and school-gymnasium No. 50. With the support of UNICEF, digital laboratories were created in these schools, where students and teachers were provided with tablets, charging stations, microphones, headphones and other gadgets.

School teachers work with three age groups of repatriate children: 5-9 years old, 10-14 years old, 15-17 years old. The total number of levels is five: A0, A1, A1.1, A2 (basic) and B1 (intermediate). At the moment, the first four levels are available on the Akelius platform, the last one is expected by mid-2022.

IITU professors are involved in creating and commenting on the lessons for different levels. Rector of IITU Askar Khikmetov noted that the university employees have all the necessary experience in organizing such training events.

“Relevant qualifications and work experience of the teachers of the Department of Languages, their professional knowledge and skills in working with projects, international organizations, local government agencies allow IITU to contribute to the implementation of the important project for the country,” Askar Khikmetov said.

He believes that the quality training of specialists has always been the priority of IITU.

He stressed that, “One of the strategic tasks of IITU is the training of specialists in the digital age. Educational activities on various online platforms and the use of information technologies in the educational process are key positions in the university education due to the specifics of IITU”.

Zhannura Manapbayeva Project Coordinator and Head of the Department of Languages said that the university teachers are experts in methodology of teaching Russian as a foreign language (RFL).

“At the university, repatriate students (ethnic Kazakhs) undergo compulsory literacy training at A0, A1-2, B1 levels, for further successful integration into the realities of Kazakhstan, where Russian is the official business language, as well as the language of intercultural communication. Classes are taught by qualified specialists with extensive experience in teaching Russian as a foreign language,” she stressed.

She also added that IITU is has got the grant called "The development of inclusive on-line content for students and teachers from secondary schools on blended learning" for the implementation of inclusive education, and is a participant in the Marathon of inclusive practices "Inclusive Community: Here and Now".

“A learning platform adapted for inclusive education operates on the basis of IITU, where 12,000 teachers receive methodological support for inclusive blended learning for children,” Zhannura Manapbayeva said.

Elmira Yerkebekova, Head of the Russian Language Section, highlighted already proven effectiveness of the designed course. According to her, recent data on the implementation of language courses on the Akelius platform confirms that the digital content improves students' language skills: listening comprehension - by 8%, reading skills - by 9%, speaking and writing skills - by 25% and 34 %, respectively.

“The interactive nature of the course with games and instant feedback increases the involvement in the learning process and promotes mutual support of students. The individual approach of blended learning benefits those at a lower level. Moreover, the use of a digital language course in the classroom increases students’ confidence, improves attendance and reduces the number of dropouts,” Elmira Yerkebekova said.

Project member, Assistant Professor of the Department of Languages ​​Oksana Bublikova notes that IITU will play a key role in the lives of girls from migrant families in getting an education in our country that supports gender equality rights.

“Learning materials will be prepared taking into account gender, age and special needs of migrant children. Teachers in the classroom will provide various communication using appropriate communication strategies, taking into account the gender characteristics of the children,” Oksana Bublikova emphasized.

In order for schoolteachers to master the skills of working with the platform, the project coordinators conduct training on the use of the Akelius platform and equipment purchased for pilot schools on an ongoing basis. In addition, trainings are held for the teachers of pilot schools on ethical principles in dealing with children in migration processes and children who have returned from conflict zones.

It is expected that by the time the project is implemented - the end of February 2023 - 250 children will have completed this course. They will have the opportunity to learn Russian from the level they are at now.