Trilingualism in Kazakh Pedagogy

TRILINGUALISM IN KAZAKH PEDAGOGY

There are international languages to unite several nations and have a common language with them. Undoubtedly, English is the main international language. According to the statistics, in 2017 the number of speakers in English was 983.5 million. 372 million of them are native speakers, and for 611.5 million English is the second official language. The British scholar David Crystal in his book  «English as a global language» (2003) comes to the conclusion that amount of English speakers reached 1.837 billion people, which puts it in first place in the world in the total number of carriers.

Taking this fact as a base, The President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev announced about insertion trilingual system to Kazakh pedagogy. “Trilingualism in Kazakhstan should become the norm and this should be effective”, — said he at the XVIII Congress of the Nur Otan party in Astana .

The education principles in the trilingual system in Kazakhstan are as follows:

• Kazakh – Russian – English;
• Languages are learnt separately;
• Learning of the languages is based on the native language;
• Teaching a foreign language is teaching how to express thoughts in a foreign language, teaching its culture;
• Development of trilingual personality;
• Speech development algorithm: subvocalization – oral speech — written speech;
• Communicative abilities .

The demands of the modern world are such that more attention is paid to studying foreign languages. Learning a foreign language in the modern world is one of the most important components of a successful modern man. Knowing of at least one foreign language broadens the mind, gives a chance to learn the culture and customs of other people.

Trilingualism in Kazakhstan has become a necessity. Knowing, learning our native Kazakh language, which is the state language of Republic of Kazakhstan, is must. Since there are representatives of more than one hundred and thirty nationalities in Kazakhstan, the common language of communication became Russian language. Also the increasing of popularity of English as an international language, and due to arrival of foreign companies to Kazakh market, one of the requirements was knowledge of the English language. Now Kazakh kindergartens, schools started using English in teaching with gradual transition to trilingualism.

After announcement of a new system of education in Kazakhstan people’s opinions were divided. Some of them approve it since knowledge of three languages gives an opportunity to build a relationship with other English-speaking countries, to stand in one line with them and be more competitive. Others claim the threat of a new educational system: while all are learning English and Russian, a native Kazakh can stay away and become forgotten. Thus, it will ruin the coming Kazakh generation and contribute the disappearance of our nationality.

Is trilingualism good or bad? Let’s face it. since English is the international language, it is necessary to know. English — the language of technology, science, great literature, politics, sport, competitions, international meeting, everything. By mastering this important language, we open a lot of doors: we can go to study abroad, work there, get a high salary, find a common language with foreigners, read books of your favorite writers, newspapers, magazines in the original, watch films, videos, serials, TV programs, listen to the songs without the need of translation. This is a huge plus. Studying a foreign language, you will improve your memory and attention. By the way, children, which reinforced learning foreign languages, much more focused, attentive, diligent and quick-witted than their peers.

As well as the advantages, there are also disadvantages. Big minus of trilingualism is the threat of losing people’s identity. Studying all three languages at the same time, the child may not master the programme. In this case, a new educational system may not be displayed on the literacy of the future generation. The student, explaining something in one language, may not express an opinion on the other. If program the mind so that the child will give more importance to foreign languages, the use of Kazakh can be reduced.

However, in my opinion, the trilingualism is a good, perspective idea. By studying the three main languages we’ll be versatile. expand our outlook, provide ourselves many possibilities for a successful future.

“Children who have not yet formed a national identity, become marginalized, not fluent at any of them in conversation, the man begins to leap from one language to another. This “half lingualism” hinders the development of speech culture”, — says the analyst and linguist, expert of the analytical group “Quorum” Timur Kozyrev. He thinks bilingualism or trilingualism is not dangerous. On the contrary, it’s good for society. But amateurish approach is dangerous to this. He said the practice of learning two and three languages from kindergarten is wrong.

Statistics

In the annual survey of English Proficiency Index that defines the level of English proficiency in different countries, Kazakhstan index of 45.95 took 67th place out of 80. Index of proficiency was assessed as «very low».

Opinions of public figures

In Almaty on 28 June 2016 was held a public hearing on the topic of education reform and «The policy of trilingualism», organized by «Zhas Alash» newspaper .

«The Ministry of education and science made a very good plan to destroy the nation», — said the Kazakh poet and writer in his opening speech There is a feeling that in Kazakhstan there is an invisible institution that encroaches on the nation, he says. Mathematician Askar Zhumadildaev also does’t approve the plans of the authorities on the implementation of trilingual education in schools. “We need to know English, but to learn it at the expense of the Kazakh language is wrong”, — expresses his discontents the scientist .

Writers and poets Dulat Isabekov, Kabdesh Zhumadilov, Mereke Kolchanov, historians Beibit Koishybayev, Talas Omarbekov, politicians Amirzhan Kosanov, Aydos Sarym, Rasul jumaly also don’t approve this idea.

In the camp of supporters of three languages were the head of Department of preschool and secondary education of the Ministry of education and science Zhanyl Zhontayeva, Chairman of the Board of JSC «Nazarbayev intellectual schools» Kulyash Shamshidinova, the leaders of the National Academy of education named Altynsarin, rectors of several higher educational institutions .

They assert that the Kazakh language does not suffer from the implementation of the system of trilingual education in schools. According to the Director of the Department, from September 1, 2019, all schools, regardless of the language of instruction, history of Kazakhstan propose to teach in the Kazakh language, and the history of the world from 7th grade — in Russian. In 10-11 grades of the study all subjects will continue on the language of instruction of the school. Physics, chemistry, biology, computer science in 10th and 11th forms are invited to study in English. These proposals are discussed in working groups. All proposals shall be on September 1, 2019, says Zhanyl Zhontayeva .

The introduction of a trilingual system of education in schools in Kazakhstan will begin in the new academic year. For the program, which will be introduced gradually, but at an accelerated pace, the government plans to allocate 1 trillion 391 billion tenge .

Director of Fund of state language development Azat Zhaueev says the system of trilingualism is a requirement of the XXI century. “Multilingualism is needed to build an open democratic society, integration of Kazakhstan into the global community and English is the language we need to exit to the world stage. Kazakhstan plans to enter the top thirty most competitive countries, Kazakhstan and every graduate should be competitive”, — think people who support this system.