Private universities in the system of contemporary foreign language education: features of teaching the english language

Abstract

This article examines the specific features of teaching English within the system of contemporary foreign language education in Kazakhstan, with particular emphasis on the role of private universities. The study analyzes the significance of the English language in the context of the internationalization of higher education and its importance for the development of students’ academic and professional communication skills. Statistical data on the structure of Kazakhstan’s higher education system are presented, and differences in the organization of English language instruction in public and private universities are discussed. It is noted that in public universities English is most often implemented as a compulsory subject within the curriculum, whereas private universities demonstrate a broader integration of English into the educational environment, including the use of the English-Medium Instruction (EMI) model and the introduction of specialized courses in academic English. Particular attention is given to the practical experience of teaching English to first-year students at Astana International University. The article describes teaching methods aimed at developing students’ communicative competence, including discussions, presentations, and project-based assignments. The findings demonstrate the importance of interactive and communicative teaching approaches for enhancing the effectiveness of English language instruction in higher education.