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Item Open Access CHALLENGES FACED BY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN PREPARING FOR THE ENGLISH EXAM AT UNT IN KAZAKHSTAN(SDU University, 2025) Aigerim Anuarbekova; Mehmet Ali YaylacıThis study examines some primary challenges faced by 11th-grade students at Dostyq School in Kazakhstan as they get ready for the English section of the Unified National Testing (UNT). From semi-structured interviews of 15 students, a few themes that recurred emerged. Participants reported many difficulties with vocabulary acquisition, reading comprehension, and grammar, which they identified as definite barriers to achieving high scores. Exam-related stress was also of important concern, with many students expressing feelings of anxiety and pressure leading up to the test. Some students considered preparing for the IELTS exam, with the possibility of converting IELTS scores into UNT points, while feeling unprepared in terms of time and language skills. Many students relied upon external support, such as several private tutors, multiple group courses, or diverse online platforms, including Juz40, EDUCON, KURSANT, and YouTube. However, many people noted that these resources frequently lacked some personalized guidance that they needed. They required this guidance to address their particular weaknesses. Students highlighted the emotional strain from parental expectations, in addition to academic challenges. These findings suggest a need for much more accessible as well as tailored preparatory materials, in addition to stronger emotional together with motivational support systems that better equip students for the demands of the English UNT.Item Open Access After Karimov and Nazarbayev: Official Media Discourses on Central Asian Identity in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan(SDU University, 2026) Korkem SerikbekSince the collapse of the Soviet Union, Central Asia has not developed a unified regional identity, as the young republics primarily focused on building national sovereignty and state-building. Leadership changes in Uzbekistan (2016) and Kazakhstan (2019) marked the end of long-standing rule since 1989, paving the way for a new regional dialogue. The article investigates how the new presidents Shavkat Mirziyoyev and KassymJomart Tokayev “construct” the image of Central Asia in their official rhetoric. Despite the significant interest in regionalism, the way the presidents of the two countries represent the Central Asian identity in their official rhetoric remains underexplored. The discursive analysis and changes in rhetoric in the speeches of the two leaders from 2016 to 2025 were examined to address this existing gap. The result of the analysis demonstrated that Uzbekistan uses a shared historical memory and promotes cultural unity as the foundation of regional identity. Kazakhstan instead adheres to pragmatic cooperation and promotes itself as a responsible and active regional actor. Since 2022, both countries have increasingly emphasized sovereignty and regional selfdetermination in the context of geopolitical instability. By examining how identity is formed “from above,” this work contributes to understanding the political significance of today’s Central Asia and highlights the role of discourse in shaping regional unity in the post-Soviet space.Item Open Access How Kazakhstan’s Media Covered the Nuclear Power Plant Referendum Campaign: A Comparative Study(SDU Journal of Media Studies, 2025) Dariya Zulfukharkyzy; Yelnur AlimovaIn October 2024, Kazakhstan announced its intention to construct a nuclear power plant, a decision that President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev described as “a choice for the country’s future.” The debate surrounding the project extends beyond energy policy, reflecting deeper questions about how public opinion is shaped through the media. This study analyses the coverage of the nuclear power plant issue in Kazakhstani media during the period preceding the referendum to examine how reality was constructed and which frames dominated public discourse. It compares representations in state and independent outlets, identifying whether narratives of government endorsement or critical perspectives prevailed. Through this analysis, the study evaluates the extent to which coverage met international journalistic standards and explores how language, structure, and the absence of alternative viewpoints contributed to a constrained media environment. The findings provide insight into the framing of national policy debates and the implications for pluralism, journalistic ethics, and public deliberation in Kazakhstan.Item Open Access Understanding the Dynamics Behind the Nuclear Referendum in Kazakhstan(SDU Journal of Media Studies, 2025) Zhanel SabirovaAlong the interest of understanding motivations behind non-constitutional referendums, Kazakhstan contributes to the debate with its latest nuclear referendum held in October 2024. The paper argues that the nuclear referendum in Kazakhstan reflects national factors echoed in country’s nuclear memory, and internal political dynamics, including governmental control over public opinion and security concerns. Despite official claims of transparency, comparison with the 2022 referendum and media reporting raises doubts about the vote’s credibility. Therefore, the qualitative research method required analyzing media coverage of nuclear referendum news including headlines from state owned and independent media sources of Kazakhstan. Thematic and framed analysis was done through Taguette software to identify recurring themes and discrepancies between official narratives and public discourse. The result of the analysis demonstrated that the government owned media strongly propagating on the benefits of NPP on the economic, social, and environmental development of the country, independent media significantly focused on opposing state narratives and bringing counter arguments in the pre-referendum public debate. Overall, the 2024 referendum illustrates how the government uses controlled participation to legitimize nuclear policy while limiting genuine democratic processes. The qualitative media analysis of state controlled and independent news agencies of Kazakhstan were evaluated to assess transparency and motivations behind the referendum.Item Open Access DIFFERENTIATION OF HOMEWORK IN PHYSICS TO IMPROVE THE ACHIVEMENTS OF 9TH GRADE STUDENTS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KAZAKHSTAN(SDU University, 2025) Dadayev AslanThis study examines the impact of differentiated homework assignments on the academic achievements of 9th-grade students in physics within secondary schools in Kazakhstan. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques, including pre- and post-assessment tests. The study aims to determine whether tailored homework assignments, based on students' proficiency levels and learning styles, enhance their understanding and performance in physics. Findings indicate that differentiation in homework positively affects student engagement, comprehension, and overall academic success. The research highlights the necessity of personalized learning approaches in physics education. This study contributes to the broader discourse on effective teaching methodologies and underscores the role of homework customization in fostering student achievement.Item Open Access THE IMPACT OF EXTERNAL SHOCKS ON TOURISM SECTOR: THE CASE OF KAZAKHSTAN(Suleyman Demirel University, 2008) Yessengali OSKENBAYEVThe objective of this study is to assess the temporal impacts on Kazakhstan's tourist arrivals. An econometric strategy is selected to determine the existence of unit roots in data series containing the quarterly number of tourist arrivals between 2000:1 and 2006:3. The present study finds that the data series contain deterministic trend and seasonal components together with detected structural changes. Hence any form of exogenous shocks, will not have permanent impact on Kazakhstan's tourist arrivals.Item Open Access EFL TEACHERS’ ATTITUDES TOWARDS THE USE OF AI GENERATED LESSON PLANS IN KAZAKHSTAN(SDU University, 2025) Alina Fazilova; Aizhan KayipProlific advancements in the sphere of Artificial Intelligence in Education and Artificial Intelligence, in general, beg the questions of how these technologies could be implemented in the English as a Foreign Language sphere and what English as a Foreign Language teachers’ attitudes towards Artificial Intelligence-generated lesson plans are. In this research paper, the attitudes of Kazakhstani secondary school English as a Foreign Language teachers towards the use of Artificial Intelligence-generated lesson plans have been explored. Through analyzing responses from an online survey, the study identifies several prominent themes that reflect the overall attitudes of teachers towards Artificial Intelligence-generated lesson planning. The study employed qualitative research design and involved 27 participants. Their attitudes were collected via an open-ended questionnaire and analyzed with thematic analysis. The results indicate that AI-generated lesson plans can have a positive impact on student learning outcomes, with the guidance and adjustments made by teachers. However, concerns about automation bias and the lack of personalization in the plans are also identified. The benefits of lesson planning generated by Artificial Intelligence include efficiency, customization, and innovative ideas, while drawbacks include inflexibility in unanticipated situations and a lack of specificity in students' needs. The study concludes that teachers express overall positive attitudes towards the use of Artificial Intelligence-generated lesson plans. According to the results, English as a Foreign Language teachers believe that they offer a range of benefits for teachers and can potentially enhance student learning outcomes when used in conjunction with teacher modifications and adjustments.Item Open Access Kazakhstan’s Proactive Measures in Addressing the Aral Sea Crisis as a Platform for Enhanced International Representation and Media Engagement(SDU Journal of Media Studies, 2025) Arailym NiyetbekAfter the collapse of the Soviet Union, the countries of Central Asia faced new challenges, including the gradual disappearance of the Aral Sea rooted in the Soviet era. This near disappearance serves as a symbol of the region’s victimisation, as the Soviets diverted the waters of what was once the fourth largest lake in the world to irrigate cotton fields and boost agricultural output. Once spanning 68,000 square kilometres, the sea has shrunk by 90%. Being a key player in Central Asia, Kazakhstan has taken the lead in regional efforts to find solutions to this critical environmental, social, and economic disaster. As a young state striving for recognition, Kazakhstan has come under close attention, implementing various initiatives, including the construction of the first sand dam in the Berg Strait and the Kokaral Dam, the signing of the Almaty Agreement, the establishment of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) and the organisation of EXPO 2017. The paper attempts to explain Kazakhstan’s efforts in resolving the crisis in the Aral Sea and its impact on its international representation and media engagement. The findings indicate that Kazakhstan’s environmental actions may potentially support not only the restoration of local ecology but also strengthen the country’s image as an important regional player in sustainable development. This paper addresses environmental diplomacy in the context of strategic action for countries seeking better positions globally while seeking solutions for pressing ecological problems.Item Open Access THE NATURE AND REASONS OF INFLATION. IMPACT OF INFLATIONARY FACTORS ON KAZAKHSTAN'S PRICE LEVEL(Suleyman Demirel University, 2012) D.S.TaimagambetThis study investigates the nature, causes, and dynamics of inflation, with a particular focus on Kazakhstan. Inflation is analyzed as a complex phenomenon influenced by monetary, non-monetary, and psychological factors, as well as market speculation. Using econometric modeling based on monthly data from 1994 to 2008, the research identifies key determinants of inflation in Kazakhstan, compares its patterns with other countries (USA, Australia, and Korea), and provides policy recommendations for mitigating inflationary pressures.Item Open Access FISCAL DECENTRALIZATION IN KAZAKHSTAN AND THE IMPACT ON ECONOMIC GROWTH(SDU University, 2023) Galymzhan Zupiruly; Mansiya ZhanabayThis article proposes a method for assessing the effects of fiscal decentralization on economic development. The relationship between the proper level of fiscal decentralization and economic growth for 17 regions and cities of republican significance in Kazakhstan from 2010 to 2020 was evaluated using panel data. Panel cointegration and dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS) results suggest that fiscal decentralization has a negative and significant impact on gross regional product. The study found that both income and expenditure decentralization have a negative impact on economic growth, and that further fiscal decentralization currently has a negative impact on gross regional product (GRP) growth. Given the premise that fiscal decentralization usually promotes local economic progress, this consistently significant and powerful result of our empirical analysis is surprising.