242 KAZAKHSTANIS LEVEL UP THEIR ENGLISH

The Program started in the fall of 2024 and concluded by June 2026. Over the course of two years, 325 people at EKTU had the opportunity to improve their English language skills, with 242 of them completing the courses. The participants included undergraduate, master’s, and PhD students, as well as faculty members.

“Just like last year, this year we selected the top students of the courses to take the IELTS exam at the Foundation’s expense. 19 participants successfully passed the test. Two scored 6.0, three scored 6.5, four achieved 7.0, and one student earned an 8.0. In total, over the two years of the Program, 45 of the top East Kazakhstani students and faculty members took the IELTS exam sponsored by the Foundation,” said Aigerim Sultan, the Program Manager.

“The history of our cooperation with EKTU began in 2024, when the university from Ust-Kamenogorsk won the Foundation’s nationwide competition and earned the right to host the English Language Program,” said Irina Grishchenko, Director of Operations at the Shakhmardan Yessenov Foundation.

According to Araily Sarsembayeva, Board Member and Vice-Rector for International Cooperation at EKTU, the Yessenov Foundation’s Program became a rare case for the university in which the institution truly began using a foreign language in practice.

“The faculty members, doctoral students, and students found themselves in an environment where they didn’t just have to ‘learn English,’ but live in it – listening, speaking, making mistakes, and speaking again. It was difficult at first, but that is exactly what had the desired effect. Over time, the participants began speaking at conferences, joining international projects, and no longer feeling like guests, but like full participants. This entire Program is not just about English lessons, it is about how people begin to move more freely in their personal and professional lives in today’s world,” Araily Sarsembayeva stated.

The Yessenov Foundation provided the university with 640 copies of educational materials, including textbooks, books, and workbooks. Two certified instructors with extensive international experience, Courtney Bailey and Antony Graham Durrant, were engaged by the Foundation to conduct training for the East Kazakhstani participants twice a week over two years via the Google Meet platform.

Antony Durrant is a UK citizen and teacher who holds a Bachelor’s degree in English, along with CELTA and DELTA certifications. He has more than 30 years of professional experience. Courtney Bailey holds a PhD and has more than10 years of teaching experience. She also participated in the U.S. Department of State’s university program as an English instructor.

And what do the Program participants themselves – the faculty members and students – have to say?

“The classes were highly practical and conducted by an experienced instructor. Each lesson was like a mini IELTS test. My writing and speaking skills have noticeably improved. Today, as Kazakhstan actively attracts international students through the ‘Study in Kazakhstan’ program, English is becoming essential for faculty members in communicating with international colleagues and students,” shared Zhanar Askerbekova, Senior Lecturer at EKTU’s Department of Mathematics.

Here is how student Yegor Krasikov, who achieved an IELTS score of 7.0, evaluates the Program that recently concluded at his university.

“This was one of the most useful stages of my studies. My English improved noticeably, especially my speaking and listening skills. Most importantly, the fear of speaking is gone. Before, I was constantly thinking about how to say things correctly, which really held me back. Now it has become much easier – I just speak without fear. I am preparing to participate in an academic mobility program, so my English language skills will be incredibly useful. For me, this is a real leap forward,” said Yegor.

According to the Foundation, the Program became necessary because Kazakhstan historically ranks low on the EF English Proficiency Index. This annual global rating measures English proficiency levels in countries worldwide. For several consecutive years, the country’s English proficiency level has been rated as “very low.”

“In the year the Foundation was established, we decided to start changing this situation and launched an English Language Program for regional universities. Over the past 13 years, it has proven effective,” stated Aiganym Malisheva, Executive Director of the Foundation.

The Shakhmardan Yessenov Foundation implemented the English Language Program from 2013 to 2026 at five regional Kazakhstani universities, namely Yessenov University (formerly the Caspian University of Technology and Engineering named after Sh. Yessenov), Aktau; Korkyt Ata University, Kyzylorda; Karaganda Medical University; Kozybayev University, Petropavlovsk; and D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University (EKTU), Ust-Kamenogorsk. Over the years, the Program has helped more than 1,500 Kazakhstani students and faculty members improve their English proficiency.