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    ItemOpen Access
    CHALLENGES FACED BY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN PREPARING FOR THE ENGLISH EXAM AT UNT IN KAZAKHSTAN
    (SDU University, 2025) Aigerim Anuarbekova; Mehmet Ali Yaylacı
    This 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.
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    STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS OF TEACHERS’ CODE-SWITCHING IN ENGLISH MEDIUM INSTRUCTIONS CONTEXT
    (SDU University, 2025) Yekaterina Nam; Davronzhon Gaipov
    English Medium Instructions (EMI) is a system that has become commonly adopted by numerous universities, and according to its specific peculiarities, EMI can deliver both opportunities and challenges to the learners. To prevent the challenges, some teachers implement code-switching into their lessons. This study is focused on students’ perceptions of teachers’ code-switching in EMI-context, considering TFL and Engineering students as representatives of students from Humanitarian and STEM faculties. Face-to-face interviews were conducted in this qualitative study. Eight participants: four students from the TFL faculty and four from the Engineering faculty, revealed their perspectives. The collected data was processed in thematic analysis. In conclusion, it was investigated that TFl-students’ perceptions of code-switching appear rather negative, contrasting with Engineering students’ perceptions. It was recommended for teachers to implement either code-switching or translanguaging strategically, in a deliberate manner, taking into account learners’ first languages, thus not leading to the phenomenon of discrimination.
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    ItemOpen Access
    GENDER ENROLLMENT PATTERNS IN A UNIVERSITY IN KAZAKHSTAN: A 2020-2024 ANALYSIS OF STEM AND NON-STEM DISCIPLINES
    (SDU University, 2025) Alfira Makhmutova
    This study explores gender enrollment patterns in STEM and non-STEM disciplines at a university in Kazakhstan from 2020 to 2024, examining evolving gender dynamics in higher education. Using longitudinal data on enrollment, gender ratios, and Unified National Test (UNT) scores, the analysis reveals persistent gender disparities. Female enrollment in STEM fields remained stable at approximately 34% throughout the study period, contrasting with higher but gradually declining female participation in non-STEM fields, which decreased from 74.8% in 2020 to 68.9% in 2024. Despite statistical significance in changes across both STEM and non-STEM fields, the practical significance of these shifts is minimal, highlighting the challenges of addressing gender imbalances in STEM. Factors such as cultural norms, limited female role models, and curriculum biases are discussed as contributors to the disparity. This research emphasizes the need for targeted interventions and inclusive policies to foster greater female participation and retention in STEM disciplines. The findings also underscore the economic and societal relevance of equitable education, offering actionable insights for policymakers and educators to promote gender equity in Kazakhstan's higher education system. Ultimately, this study contributes to the broader discourse on gender dynamics in education, particularly in the context of Central Asia.
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    THE IMPACT OF PROJECT-BASED LEARNING ON STUDENTS’ MOTIVATION IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEARNING: A COMPREHENSIVE LITERATURE REVIEW
    (SDU University, 2025) Laura Lyadova; Kulakhmetova Mergul
    This literature review explores the level of motivation when introducing Project-Based Learning (PBL) in the mainstream classes of the foreign language. A particular attention is given to its application in language education, highlighting benefits and possible challenges. This review synthesizes findings from various research studies that highlight the benefits of PBL, including increased engagement, deeper conceptual understanding, and faster language retention. Despite the fact that PBL stimulates students to acquire a foreign language, there are some challenges, such as the need for additional guidance, lack of teacher training and assessment techniques. Although the review highlights the exceeding advantages of PBL over traditional teaching methods, it also emphasizes the positive application of balanced approach for improving academic excellence of students. Moreover, the literature review takes into considerations the essence of cultural factor and suggest longitudinal application of PBL for identification of long-term effects on students’ motivation to learn a foreign language. The review provides a foundation for further empirical research on integrating PBL into educational curricula and offer essential insights into its best practices in foreign language classrooms. To reach the assigned aim, the synthesized research articles have been taken from the following data bases, such as Google Scholar, Research Gate, JSTORE, and Web Science with prevailing number of them conducted between the period of 2018 and 2024.
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    EVALUATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A PEER TUTORING PROGRAM FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE SUPPORT
    (SDU Bulletin: Pedagogy and Teaching Methods, 2025) Alfira Makhmutova; Leslie Haas
    This study investigates the impact of a peer tutoring initiative at a university in Uzbekistan designed to help students struggling with English proficiency in an English-Medium Instruction (EMI) environment. Although the institution requires a minimum IELTS score of 5.5 for admission, faculty observed that many students still encountered difficulties, especially in speaking and writing. To address these challenges, a pilot peer tutoring program was introduced, offering structured language support through volunteer student tutors. The research employed a mixed methods design, utilising pre- and post-program surveys, tutor session reports, and faculty feedback. Results demonstrated marked improvements in students’ confidence and English skills, with speaking emerging as the central area of concern for 75% of participants. After the program, 83.3% of students reported greater confidence in using English, and tutors observed high participation rates, with 76.9% of tutees actively engaged in sessions. Despite this, tutor recruitment and retention, inconsistent attendance, and gaps in institutional support posed challenges to program sustainability. The findings attest to the effectiveness of peer tutoring as a means of supporting languages in EMI environments but emphasise the importance of formal tutor training, designated tutorial spaces, and incentives in an attempt to enhance long-term outcomes. More research is recommended to measure the effect of the program on grades as well as long-term language acquisitio
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    ГИБРИДТІК ОҚЫТУ: БІЛІМ БЕРУДЕГІ ДӘСТҮРЛІ ЖӘНЕ ОНЛАЙН ӘДІСТЕРДІ БІРІКТІРУ
    (SDU University, 2025) Құдайберді Бағашаров
    Қазіргі педагогика ғылымында инновациялық білім берудің жаңа ұғымдарының бірі - «Гибридтік оқыту» (hybrid learning). Мақалада заманауи білім беру жағдайында дәстүрлі педагогикалық әдістерді инновациялық онлайн технологиялармен біріктіретін тиімді стратегия ретінде гибридтік оқытудың ерекшеліктеріне талдау жасалған. Соңғы жылдары Гибридті оқыту мен аралас оқыту (blended learning) заманауи білім беруде кең таралған тәсілге айналуда. Гибридті оқытудың негізгі принциптері, маңызды құрамдас бөліктері және бұл оқытудың икемділігі мен артықшылықтары сөз болады. Бұған қоса, технологиялық қолдау, сапалы интернет-ресурстарды құру және мұғалімдердің біліктілігін арттыру сияқты гибридті оқытудың сәтті жүзеге асырылуын анықтайтын факторлар талқыланады. Мақала гибридтік оқытудың практикалық және теориялық аспектілеріне жан-жақты шолу жасайды, оның икемді және жекелендірілген білім беру жолдарын құру үшін заманауи білім берудегі өзектілігі мен әлеуетін көрсетеді. Аталған әдістемені оқу үдерісіне табысты енгізу бойынша ұсыныстар жасалады.
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    BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES OF PEER ASSESSMENT IN HIGHER EDUCATION: A COMPREHENSIVE LITERATURE REVIEW
    (SDU University, 2025) Amina Aisarova; Aizhan Amangazina
    Peer assessment has been described as a collaborative method of assessment that promotes active and reflective learning. It is particularly useful in the higher educational context since university students are required to be involved in more autonomous and student-centered activities. Therefore, university instructors should consider alternative forms of assessment. However, peer assessment is often neglected by instructors, and students are not prepared to employ peer practices. The aim of the current literature review is to analyze the previous studies on peer assessment in higher education. Particularly, it will describe the reasons for using peer assessment, its forms, and the benefits and challenges of employing peer assessment in higher education. Therefore, the findings will raise the awareness of teachers and students regarding the advantages and limitations of peer assessment techniques. To achieve this goal, the review of 30 articles, which were related to the implementation of peer assessment in higher education is presented. The articles were selected from various databases, namely Google Scholar, ERIC, and JSTOR, between the years 2015 and 2024.
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    SHAPING FUTURE SCIENTISTS: THE ROLE OF IZHO IN INFLUENCING STEM INTERESTS AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT AMONG HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
    (SDU Bulletin: Pedagogy and Teaching Methods, 2025) Akniyet Issain; Nazarali Aitjanov; Halit Yilmaz; Azatzhan Baitekov; Samat Maxutov
    This study examines the impact of participation in the International Zhautykov Olympiad (IZhO) on high school students' perceptions of 21st-century skill development and STEM career aspirations. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research investigates gender differences, variations across STEM specializations, age-related trends, school-type influences, and the effect of repeated participation. The findings revealed significant gender differences, with female students reporting greater improvements in Presentation, Scientific Thinking, and Collaboration skills compared to males. No significant differences were observed across STEM specializations, suggesting that IZhO contributes similarly to skill development across Mathematics, Physics, and Informatics students. Age analysis indicated that younger students (13–14 years old) perceived greater skill enhancement than older groups, particularly in General Skills, Presentation, and Problem Solving. Vocational school students reported the highest perceived benefits in Technology skills compared to public and private school counterparts. Additionally, a moderate frequency of Olympiad participation (10–20 times) was associated with the greatest improvement in Critical Thinking skills.These findings highlight the potential of Olympiad participation to foster essential skills and inspire STEM career aspirations. They also suggest the need for tailored interventions to address age- and gender-specific needs, maximize benefits for all school types, and explore strategies to sustain students' engagement over repeated participation. The study underscores the value of STEM competitions in preparing students for future academic and career success.
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    PERCEIVED CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS TO FOREIGN LANGUAGE ANXIETY IN READING
    (SDU University, 2025) Dilnur Zhuman; Saule Tulepova; Kuralay Zhampeiis
    This study explores the difficulties and coping strategies of students who have anxiety when reading in a foreign language. Through a qualitative thematic analysis of interviews with 8 master's students, three main themes emerged: the challenges in foreign language reading include vocabulary difficulties, text complexity, and speed constraints; emotional responses such as anxiety, self-doubt, and external pressures; strategies to overcome reading anxiety include vocabulary building techniques, digital tools, and peer support. The findings are significant in highlighting the importance of motivation, self-regulation and structured pedagogical interventions in reducing reading anxiety. Learners can be supported by educators by introducing pre reading strategies, encouraging collaborative learning and incorporating technology into teaching to help in improving comprehension and confidence. Limitations of the study include small sample size and reliance on self-reported data.
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    Analysis of the implementation of child-friendly programs in building an anti-bullying culture in elementary schools: a case study at SDN 37 Cakranegara
    (SDU University, 2025) Alfina; Arman Maulana
    This study aims to analyze the implementation of the Child-Friendly School Program (SRA) in building an anti-bullying culture at SDN 37 Cakranegara. Using a qualitative approach with an intrinsic case study design, data were collected through in-depth interviews, observations, and documentation, then analyzed using the Miles and Huberman Interactive Model. The results show that although the school has a structural commitment and has succeeded in reducing physical bullying, the implementation of SRA is still in the socialization stage and has not been fully integrated into the curriculum and school culture, where verbal and mild social bullying behaviors are still evident. In conclusion, systemic strengthening is needed, such as structured teacher training and the development of operational guidelines, so that SRA can transform students' understanding of anti-bullying in a profound and sustainable manner.