Trilingual Education in Kazakhstan and Graduates Employability Perspectives

Abstract

Development of trilingual education in Kazakhstan and use English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) is a complicated process with both positive and negative sides; so it is necessary to explore EMI policy in Kazakhstani Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and its role for graduates’ employability and career prospects and opportunities through qualitative and quantitative research in order to define holistic approach to higher education in the frame of trilingual education policy and the aspects of EMI that need improvement. The following subtopics will be explored during the research: - additional competences suggested by both regulating documents on implementation of multilingual education in HEIs in Kazakhstan and educational programs (EP) using EMI; - opinions of students enrolled into EP with EMI about opportunities and challenges of the programs / EMI education; - opinions of HEIs graduates who studied in English about opportunities and challenges of EMI education; - opinions of the employers of multilingual graduates about their professional skills, competences, and soft skills. The main research question that our study aims to answer is: What are the implications and challenges of EMI in HEIs in Kazakhstan for the employability and career opportunities of graduates? To answer the research question, a range of methods will be used for collecting data (surveys and interviews with students, graduates and employers).