I don't even know where to start so I will keep it simple. We visited two schools today in Almaty and I don't think I have ever been treated as well as we were today as teachers. The Kazakh people are warm and welcoming and it certainly showed in the presentations they have us today. The first was a Kazakh experimental school in which Kazakh is the primary language of instruction along with lessons in Russian & English languages. Kazakh is studied because it is native language of Kazakhstan, Russian because it is the national language and English because it is the international language. The mindset is much more global. Students begin to study English at the age of about 6 or 7 years old. This is an example of one of Kazakhstan's best schools. The facilities were impeccable. Students are given opportunities across the board. Teachers at this school are trained mostly abroad and bring back what they learn to Kazakhstan. Almost all teachers travel internationally with their students at some point and every year students at this school are given opportunities for international travel to help them practice their foreign language skills. The attention given to cultivation of musical abilities and talents blows most US music programs out of the water. Why? Because, funding and opportunities are offered. Singing is part of the national identity. It is a way that students identify with themselves and their culture. It is a way they also show it off. One thing that was apparent was that Soviet influence can still be seen here. Students are hesitant to answer questions that require opinion based responses. It is very structured, and teacher centered. We heard endless lists of awards and prizes that staff members, students, and administrators received. Technology is widely used within schools.
All students stand when the teacher walks in or when they answer a question after being called upon.
This style of raising one's hand comes from the Soviet model.
Yes Jenny Braunfels, the teachers carry hand sanitizer too. . . .
When they told us it was time for lunch I had no idea it would include this type of spread. The food was all hand made by parents and teachers for us. When you were done, there was someone behind you trying to fill your plate again.
This school had a coat check for students. Great organization along with someone who runs it.
This is the cafeteria.
I believe this man took no less than 234,000 photos of us from every angle. Every time you looked he was catching you on film.
When I first saw these I did not understand why hair dryers were in school. Did they cut hair too?? Is this a salon? Have they taken the uniformed student thing just a bit too far???
Alas no, they have a pool with swim lessons for gym class. The hair dryers are to make sure the children's hair is completely dried before they return to class.
Lunch offerings. The government pays for children to eat who cannot afford it and the rest pay for lunch which runs them no more than $2.00 / day.
Students get recognized for major achievements on boards like this which are hung throughout the school.
This is the outside of the school. About 1200 students attend this one. Students come in two shifts, the first one for older kids from 7:30-3 and the second for younger kids from 3-7.
Name and number of the school.
Outdoor courtyard at school.
Slow down. School's in session. No one does though from what I saw. People drive a bit crazy. All are required to have insurance and if there is an accident, the police are called and insurances exchanged. You can sue here if the other person was reckless or for no reason at all. Sound familiar?
The next school we visited was a Russian school. We walked through the door and were greeted by students clapping who had awards they have won around their necks and in their hands. Most awards were academic in nature. This school specializes in math & physics.
This school services about 750 students.
More medals. It was a wonder that the girl third from the left could stand up she had so many on.
Students here were encouraged to ask questions. Most of the questions were basic as they are working on their English skills.
I looked down at one student's desk and smiled when I saw Harry Potter. In Russian.
This is the library. All students in Kazakhstan have to take a national exam that tests math, writing & science skills along with one area the student specializes in and Kazakh, Russian and English language skills. Their future really depends on the score they receive and the test is everything. I heard kids at the primary levels talking about it too. They are all well aware of what it means and work very hard to achieve in these schools.
This math problem came from a student I would guess was about age 10-11.
This is the librarian. All teachers are really very dressy in these schools. They are not a crock and jean wearing people.
Hallways are neat, swept, and tons of plants are all over the building. A private gardener is hired to take care of all of them.
Lunch room.
Snacks available for students which I was surprised to see for some reason.
On the left here you will see a typical lunch offering for students.
Many classrooms have Smartboard technology.
Laptops students use in computer labs. There are two computer labs that teachers rotate using.
There is a museum in the school that students maintain dedicated to those who fought in WWII.
This is a biology classroom. Very bright and cheerful filled with tons of plants.
And super super organized.
This is the front office. Note the security cameras.
At the end of the tour we were asked to sit down with these students and exchange questions and answers with them. They were incredibly bright and fun. This was a favorite part of my day. Students asked a lot of questions regarding student life in the USA & college opportunities for foreigners in the United States. They will more than likely travel for at least one year if not their entire college career abroad if they can get funding. This is something I wish we saw more of in the United States from our own students.
We got upstairs and saw what?? MORE FOOD. OMG. We did not eat dinner tonight.
I would lastly like to say a warm thank you to the people, teachers, administrators and students of Kazakhstan. They were amazingly generous with their time and efforts. It was an incredible experience.
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