This research study gives insight into the background factors that develop English language competence in post-soviet Kazakhstan. This research also explores the potential relationship between Russian or Kazakh first language, socio-economic status and access to educational resources in general and foreign language learning in particular.
Nazarbayev University is an EMI institution that was established in 2010 and is tasked with the mission of being a model for higher education reform and modern research in Kazakhstan. This vast country, the ninth largest in the world, is sparsely populated, which gives rise to social inequities. It holds a variegated landscape characterised by, on the one hand, a diversity of ethnicity, religion and language; and, on the other, an urban/rural divide and the competing paradigm of being placed between Asia and Europe For students wanting to enter this premier university, English language competence is one of the major challenges faced by potential students for access. A zero year master’s programme (NUZYP) was developed to provide equal opportunies for students who do not meet language requirements for direct entry. With this context in mind, this research study gives insight into the background factors that develop English language competence in post-soviet Kazakhstan. This research also explores the potential relationship between Russian or Kazakh first language, socio-economic status and access to educational resources in general and foreign language learning in particular.
