For ten days, hosted by M. Auezov South Kazakhstan University in Shymkent, the participants explored innovative European teaching approaches under the guidance of professors from the University of Poitiers, France.
Baitursynuly University was represented by a strong team of faculty members: Anna Sukhova and Gulnar Zhanburshinova from the Department of Foreign Languages of the Pedagogical Institute, Saule Abisheva from the Department of Foreign Philology, and Kuanysh Kuskadamova from the Department of Philology and Applied Linguistics.
The university’s representatives received special recognition from both the Embassy of France and the administration of the Sorbonne-Kazakhstan Institute.
“The organizers openly acknowledged that they know our university well and consider it one of the strongest centers for French language education in Kazakhstan. Our graduates work in embassies and major international companies. Such recognition is truly inspiring,” noted Senior Lecturer Kuanysh Kuskadamova.
The internship offered a dynamic and engaging academic environment. French professors, researchers from Kyrgyzstan, and recent graduates interacted as equals, exchanging ideas and experiences.
The program focused on the latest developments in language education. Participants explored the effective use of artificial intelligence in teaching and learning, including how students can use AI responsibly, recognize its limitations, and maintain critical thinking skills.
“One of the most fascinating topics was a conference dedicated to nomadism and nomadic culture,” said Kuanysh Kuskadamova. “We discovered that dozens of French scholars have been studying Central Asia for many years. We also analyzed the French film Continuer (Keep Going), which tells the story of a teenager’s personal transformation during a journey across the steppe. Its message—to continue living, learning, and discovering the world despite challenges—became the motto of our trip.”
The cultural program included visits to Turkistan and the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, the ancient Shymqala Citadel, and the mystical Akmeshit Cave. These excursions left a particularly strong impression on the visiting French professors, who expressed genuine admiration for Kazakhstan’s rich cultural heritage.
The faculty members emphasized that proficiency in Kazakh, Russian, and English provides a solid foundation, but standing out in today’s competitive labor market requires additional advantages.
French remains one of the official languages of major international organizations, including the United Nations and UNESCO, and is spoken across 37 countries worldwide. France is also recognized as one of Europe’s leading centers for innovation in information technology, mathematics, and engineering.
“French is surprisingly compatible with the Kazakh language,” the philologists explained. “The two languages share several distinctive sounds, a relatively soft pronunciation, and stress patterns that make French easier for Kazakh-speaking students to master. Moreover, students who already know English often learn French much faster because the two languages share a significant portion of their vocabulary.”
“Soyez ouvert et continuez de faire ce que vous aimez — Be open-minded and continue doing what you love. We returned with renewed enthusiasm and a wealth of new teaching practices that we are already integrating into our courses at Baitursynuly University. Keep expanding your horizons!” concluded Anna Sukhova.
The university team expresses its sincere gratitude to the leadership of Baitursynuly University for their support and for making this professional development opportunity possible.
