Unlock the Secrets of a New Language! Discover how a unique club is transforming lives by teaching a vital language in a fun, interactive way. Join the movement that’s uniting people of a...
The Kazakh language course by Anzhelika Shabdanbekova is a new chapter in the work of the renowned Ust-Kamenogorsk club "Kel, soyleseyik." A few years ago, it was established at the initiative of the regional Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan within the walls of the O. Bokey City Library and has since opened its venues in nearly all districts of the city. For instance, "Qazaqsha uiren" gathers learners at the A. S. Pushkin Regional Library. It is conveniently accessible, has excellent facilities, computers, monitors, and an interactive board.
Classes are always creative. They begin with improvisations on everyday topics: going to the market, traveling by public transport, talking to a cashier... The plot is usually suggested by the learners themselves, while the teacher helps structure the dialogue. On free days, students complete individual assignments and maintain online communication.
– My task is to ensure that a person can introduce themselves and make purchases in the state language, – Anzhelika explains. – We practice phrases needed, for example, to buy vegetables or dairy products at the market through live dialogue. This conversational Kazakh is essential for those attending the courses. People sign up themselves and often bring their friends and acquaintances, saying they find it interesting. The club has an interactive format, with no routine.
According to Anzhelika, Kazakh conversational language clubs are free and open to all ages, gaining popularity across the country. Currently, they operate in 12 cities and cater to audiences aged from 7 to 75 years. The more prominent the role of the state language, the more active the public interest. When the courses opened, only five people attended the first session at the Pushkin Library, but within a month, the number of learners quadrupled.
– Information spread through social media, and people started to join, – the teacher recounts. – I once heard a woman's response when asked why she would spend time on these courses. She said: "When you live in Kazakhstan, it's important to know the Kazakh language." People don’t come because they have nothing else to do – they come for knowledge. Many share that they wanted to learn the language in childhood, but there were no conditions or Kazakh language classes available.
One of the rules of the "Kel, soyleseyik" club is to pay attention to the audience's requests. Listeners can express their wishes. For example, in Astana, group members requested lessons in nature – it’s more interesting, and knowledge is absorbed more easily. Anzhelika regularly organizes practical sessions with her students, going to parks, shopping malls, or simply walking through city streets. It’s important to engage in a conversational environment and not be afraid to join discussions. By the way, groups are formed from individuals with roughly the same level of proficiency. Therefore, a friendly atmosphere prevails in the courses, where everyone can make mistakes without fear of being reprimanded. Moreover, among the students of the young teacher are many Kazakhs who have taken on the task of mastering their native language, despite their mature age.
The most interesting thing is that Anzhelika's maiden name is Fedotova. Her father is Russian, and her mother is Ukrainian. The fact is that her childhood was spent in a village in the Zharmin district, where all the neighbors were Kazakhs. She attended a school with Kazakh as the language of instruction, and her mother, brother, and sister also speak Kazakh fluently.
– I remember in the first grade, my teacher would still point out my accent, but that only motivated me to study harder, – the educator smiled as she recalled. – I completed 11 grades in the state language. I also had a neighbor, Moldir, who often visited us. I spoke with her and learned. In the courses, I also advise listening to Kazakh speech more – it helps to quickly build vocabulary.
Professionally, Anzhelika is a Russian language teacher and works at a school. She conducts the "Qazaqsha uiren" course mainly out of passion. Two years ago, the young educator participated in the regional contest "Ayauyly jaz kelin." The candidates for the title of best kelin were required to showcase their knowledge of traditions, rituals, culinary arts, and demonstrate creativity and resourcefulness. The woman was supported by her husband, all his Kazakh relatives, and her beloved daughter. She recited the poem "Ush bakytim" by Mukagali Makataev and presented the jury with homemade kumys. She captivated the judges with her wise reflections on the symbiosis of cultures and traditions in Kazakhstan.
– My husband's relatives no longer find it surprising that I know the Kazakh language and traditions, – Anzhelika concluded. – And not just know – I honor them. The recipe for peace and harmony in the country lies in strong friendship and mutual respect among representatives of various ethnicities and cultures. The state language is what unites everyone, and that’s why people want to learn it.