Kazakhstan’s ambitious educational reform strategy calls for an increase of English skills among teachers of STEM subjects. Through the U.S.-Kazakhstan University Partnerships Program administered by American Councils for International Education and funded by the U.S. Embassy in Kazakhstan, Kokshetau University and University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) are enhancing teacher preparation and teaching methodology.
Since early 2020, UNO has organized three online modules for thirty Kokshetau University faculty members on educational leadership, student learning styles, and the use of technologies in online and distance education. After completing these modules, Kokshetau University organized a webinar on building partnerships through the enhancement of English and STEM teaching with participation from more than 170 colleagues from other Kazakhstani and Central Asian universities. Kokshetau University shared their experience in internationalization and partnership building and knowledge received during the online UNO modules.
Working in a virtual format, UNO offered three more modules on the use of Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) and its application in teaching STEM and Social Sciences in spring 2021 for 25 Kazakhstani teachers. The growing university partnership project led the two institutions to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to expand activities in designing and modernizing courses and syllabi, and planning future research projects in STEM and English as a Second Language. Both universities are looking forward to the visit of American colleagues in fall 2021 and further develop enhancing the teaching skills of teachers of English and STEM subjects.
