Department of the State and Foreign Languages

The main goal of the department is to ensure an appropriate level of students’ language proficiency, as well as to develop their theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the state, Russian, and foreign languages necessary for successful professional and personal development.

In its work, the department follows a student-centered and competency-based approach, creating conditions for the development of intercultural communication, critical thinking, and academic literacy.

The department serves all educational programs of the university and provides instruction in disciplines such as Kazakh, Russian, English, Turkish, and Chinese languages.

The department is staffed by highly qualified instructors who combine tradition with modern teaching methods, paying attention to both fundamental knowledge and practical skills. We strive to create conditions in which every student can unlock their potential, broaden their horizons, and gain confidence in communicating in the state and foreign languages.

We take pride in our graduates, who successfully apply the knowledge they have gained in various fields, become bridges between cultures, and contribute to the development of our country.

The faculty members also actively enhance their professional qualifications, including through international programs. For example:

M.Zh. Arenova – USA, Language Institute, Department of Languages & Cultures of Asia, Indiana University, Bloomington; Indianapolis: Department of Central Eurasian Studies Society (CESS), Summer Language Program – SWSEEL, University of Michigan and IU-Bloomington: Distance Teaching;

M.K. Kazbekova – Belgium, University of Mons (UMONS);

A.K. Zhortushinova – Türkiye, IKSAD Institute and Ankara Metropolitan Municipality;

G.A. Khassenova – Russian Federation, Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University;

M.E. Zharmukhamedova – China, Anshan Normal University, Anshan, Liaoning Province;

K.K. Kanafieva – United Kingdom, Westbourne Academy, Bournemouth.

Among the department members, there are those whose work has been especially recognized with various state and public awards and distinctions, including:

Zh.Zh. Kapenova – Badge of Honor “Honored Worker of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan”, Badge “Akhmet Baitursynuly”, Certificate of Honor from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan;

G.P. Shaharman – Badge “Algys” of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, Letter of Appreciation from the city administration of Almaty;

N.P. Balkunova – Badge “Y. Altynsarin”;

Zh.K. Galyamova – Letter of Appreciation from the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Kazakhstan;

K.K. Kanafieva – Certificate of Honor from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan;

D.E. Kurbanov – title “100 New Faces of Kazakhstan”, bronze medal of the project “Elbasy Medal.”

The teaching staff of the department actively participates in scientific research, educational projects, and international conferences, demonstrating a high level of professionalism and achieving significant results. The scientific works of the department’s faculty members are published in journals recommended by the Committee for Quality Assurance in Science and Higher Education (KKS&HE), as well as in journals indexed in Scopus and RSCI databases, and in various international and national journals and conference proceedings.

Teachers of the department with scientific publications indexed in international Scopus databases:

1. Kanafieva Kulanda Kabylseitovna, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences – 2 articles indexed in Scopus (H-index – 1).

2. Galyamova Zhupar Kenzhetaevna, Candidate of Philological Sciences, Assistant Professor – 1 article indexed in Scopus (H-index – 1).

3. Tlepbergen Dinara Nurlanovna, Assistant Professor – 3 articles indexed in Scopus (H-index – 12), 2 articles indexed in Web of Science. 3 scientific publications in journals included in the List of the Committee for Quality Assurance in Science and Higher Education of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

4. Issayeva Zhibek Kairullinovna, Assistant Professor – 2 articles indexed in Scopus (H-index – 3). 6 scientific publications in journals included in the List of the Committee for Quality Assurance in Science and Higher Education of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

5. Ussipbayeva Perizat Saginbekovna, PhD, Assistant Professor – 1 article indexed in Scopus (H-index – 1).

6. Khassenova Gulmira Abdrakhmanovna, Master of Humanities science, Senior Lecturer – 1 article indexed in Scopus (H-index – 1). 1 scientific publication in journals included in the List of the Committee for Quality Assurance in Science and Higher Education of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

7. Shakharman Gulzhikhan Pishenbayevna, Assistant Professor – 1 article indexed in Scopus (H-index – 1).

8. Khussainova Aigul Kaikenovna, Master of Humanities science, Senior Lecturer – 4 scientific publications in journals included in the List of the Committee for Quality Assurance in Science and Higher Education of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

9. D.N. Tlepbergen – Baltic Film, Media and Arts School (Tallinn, Estonia), research internship (November–December 2022). Tallinn, Estonia: interview on language policy in Kazakhstan and Estonia on the radio programme “Kuidas käsi käib” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wL2W3OcKyqI. Member of the IAWE (International Association of World Englishes). New York, USA, Stony Brook University: presentation on the topic “Transformational Diversity in the Linguistic Landscape of Kazakhstan”. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, AILA World Congress 2024: presentation on the topic “How Multilingualism Shapes the Media Landscape of Post-Soviet Countries: A Comparative Study of Kazakhstan and Estonia”. Donostia–San Sebastián, Spain, ISB2025: presentation on the topic “The Emergence of New Speakers in Kazakhstan: Family Language Policy and Multilingual Development in Interethnic Families”.

P.S. Ussipbayeva – Institute for Turkic World Studies, Ege University (Izmir, Republic of Turkey).

The Department of State and Foreign Languages collaborates within the framework of research projects, internships, and experience exchange with such universities as Zh. Balasagyn Kyrgyz National University (Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan); T.F. Gorbachev Kuzbass Technical University (Russia); F.M. Dostoevsky Omsk State University (Russia); Saint Petersburg State University (Russia); Santa Monica College in Los Angeles; MATC at the University of Wisconsin; Houston Community College at the University of Houston; and LaGuardia College at the University of New York, USA.The department also cooperates with the UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education, which promotes education in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, provides teacher training, and supports educational and outreach projects involving youth.

The Department maintains close cooperation with the Committee on Language Policy of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Sh. Shayakhmetov National Scientific and Practical Center “Til–Kazyna”, the I. Altynsarin National Academy of Education, the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, and the Rukhaniyat State Institution under the Department for Language Development and Archival Affairs of Astana.