Head of the Educational Program «Teacher Training in Foreign Languages and Literature» – Bibigul Burkhanovna Utegalieva, Senior Lecturer, Master’s degree.
HISTORY, DEVELOPMENT AND CURRENT STATE OF THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
The formation and development of the Educational Program “Teacher Training in Foreign Languages and Literature» at M. Utemisov West Kazakhstan University has been carried out since 1962 in Kazakh, Russian, and English. The evolution of the program reflects the main stages in the development of foreign language education in the Republic of Kazakhstan and is characterized by the consistent expansion of training areas, modernization of educational content, and strengthening of the scientific and pedagogical potential.
- Utemisov West Kazakhstan University, being the successor of a pedagogical institute, has traditionally been focused on teacher training. In this context, the development of foreign language teacher training has become one of the strategic directions, determined both by the internal educational needs of the region and external socio-economic factors.
1960s–1970s: Formation of the Scientific and Pedagogical School
In 1962, the Department of English was established under the leadership of G.I. Stambekova. The department included L.I. Cherkashina, I.Ya. Devyatova, D.Sh. Esengalieva, M.A. Khamitova, and other lecturers. In subsequent years, the department actively developed, being replenished with graduates of leading universities of the country: B.I. Likhobabin, L.S. Kirillova, M.I. Palatov, L.A. Kopistko, M.V. Chechetko, K.A. Khabibullina. Already at this stage, the foundation of the staff potential was formed, which ensured further development of the field.
In the 1966–1967 academic year, A.S. Zybina, T.V. Li, E.A. Utesheva, T.I. Nurusheva, G.P. Nuralina, N.P. Nevkina, and N.K. Alekhina joined the staff. These lecturers formed the core of the Faculty of Foreign Languages, established in 1972. In the 1970s, the department was replenished with specialists from other universities of the Soviet Union: B.G. Buksbaum, G.V. Simakova, N.M. Larshina, N.A. Makhneva, which contributed to the expansion of scientific and methodological approaches.
The establishment of the Faculty of Foreign Languages in 1972 became a key stage in the institutionalization of specialist training. English, German, French, and Spanish were taught at the faculty. The first dean of the faculty was M.I. Palatov, distinguished by a broad linguistic outlook.
The faculty functioned with several departments:
- Department of Phonetics and Grammar of the English Language;
- Department of English Philology;
- Department of the Second Foreign Language.
At different times, the departments were headed by L.S. Kirillova, L.I. Kopistko, E.A. Utesheva, M.V. Chechetko, N.A. Kushkenbayev, A.G. Abukhanova, M.K. Bisimaliyeva, N.P. Nevkina, I.M. Minina, N.D. Divina-Osipyan, A.E. Niyazova, S.I. Kadyrgaliyeva, and G.N. Kismetova.
1980s–2000s: Development of Scientific Areas and Methodological Base
During this period, the strengthening of the scientific school and the development of methodological approaches to foreign language teaching took place.
A special contribution was made by:
- M.V. Chechetko — author of more than 70 scientific works, researcher in comparative literary studies and teaching methodology, developer of approaches to the use of dramatization in teaching;
- T.V. Li — Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, specialist in foreign language teaching methodology, corresponding member of the St. Petersburg Academy of Pedagogical Sciences;
- M.K. Bisimaliyeva — Doctor of Philological Sciences, who made a significant contribution to the development of philological science.
- A.G. Abukhanova – Candidate of Philological Sciences, Associate Professor.
A significant contribution to the development of the department was made by Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Associate Professor Galiya Nagibudaevna Kismetova, an experienced organizer of the academic and educational process. Under her academic supervision, more than 85 master’s students have been trained and have successfully defended their master’s theses.
G.N. Kismetova graduated from the Ural Pedagogical Institute named after A.S. Pushkin in 1991. Her total professional experience amounts to 40 years. In 2005, she defended her dissertation at Samara State Pedagogical University in the specialty 13.00.08 “Theory and Methodology of Professional Education,” earning the degree of Candidate of Sciences. In 2006, she underwent re-certification and was awarded the degree of Candidate of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan. In 2007, by decision of the Higher Attestation Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan, she was awarded the academic title of Associate Professor.
From 2005 to 2018, G.N. Kismetova headed the Department of Foreign Languages, ensuring the strategic development of educational programs, coordinating teaching, methodological, and research activities, and strengthening international and inter-university cooperation. She proved herself to be a responsible and demanding leader, capable of building a professional team, maintaining high standards of education quality, and fostering a supportive academic environment.
A significant role in staff training was played by experienced lecturers: T.I. Nurusheva, N.A. Makhneva, N.M. Larshina, P.Z. Buzhumova, S.K. Bikenova, and others. A stable scientific and methodological tradition was formed, based on the combination of fundamental linguistic training and practice-oriented education.
2000s: Modernization and Internationalization
The early 2000s were characterized by active modernization of educational activities. In 2003, the Department of Theory and Practice of Translation was established, providing training for translators in the region. In the same year, a master’s program in the specialty “Foreign Language: Two Foreign Languages” was opened.
G.N. Kismetova, A.G. Abukhanova, M.V. Chechetko, S.S. Kulmagambetova, and V.S. Zubkov participated in the development of master’s programs. The introduction of the credit-based system and the transition to a multi-level education system (bachelor’s–master’s) ensured compliance with international standards.
Modern Stage (2010s–2020s)
At the present stage, the educational program functions as a dynamically developing area of teacher training. The academic staff includes about 40 specialists, including PhD holders, Candidates of Pedagogical and Philological Sciences, and Master’s degree holders. Among them are G.N. Kismetova, G.Kh. Khazhgalieva, V.S. Zubkov, B.A. Mukashev, S.I. Kadyrgaliyeva, A.B. Nasimullina, T.I. Utegalieva, E.K. Utemisova, R.G. Shamgonova, K.M. Shunaybekova, and others. The lecturers possess extensive experience in scientific, educational, methodological, and organizational activities, ensuring a high level of specialist training.
The educational program provides:
- training of foreign language teachers (Bachelor’s degree, B018);
- training of foreign language educators (Master’s degree, M019).
The content of the educational programs includes:
- theoretical and applied linguistics;
- foreign language teaching methodology;
- literature of the countries of the studied language;
- translation studies;
- modern pedagogical technologies;
- digital educational tools;
- inclusive education.
Lecturers and students actively participate in research activities:
- publications in national and international journals;
- participation in international and republican conferences;
- supervision of bachelor’s and master’s research;
- development of scientific schools in teaching methodology and philology.
Within the framework of internationalization of education, the following activities are carried out:
- participation in academic mobility programs for students and faculty;
- cooperation with foreign universities and research centers;
- implementation of international educational practices and standards.
The traditions of the department include the use of creative teaching methods, including dramatization, associated with the work of M.V. Chechetko and the university theaters “Weird Sisters” and “Echo.”
Students actively participate in Olympiads, competitions, and research projects, demonstrating a high level of professional training.
The educational program is aimed at training competitive foreign language teachers who are able to:
- effectively carry out professional pedagogical activities;
- apply modern educational technologies;
- conduct research activities;
- adapt to the conditions of a globalizing educational space.
Over more than sixty years of its history, the educational program has evolved from a department of English into a comprehensive field of teacher training integrated into the international educational space.
Preserving the best traditions of the national school of foreign language teaching and actively implementing modern educational technologies, the Educational Program “Teacher Training in Foreign Languages and Literature” continues to develop successfully, ensuring the training of highly qualified specialists for the education system of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
