From Slovakia to Kazakhstan: Teaching and Research at Zhubanov University

Associate Professor Eva Reid, PhD, from the Department of British and American Studies, spent two weeks in September at Zhubanov University in Aktobe, Kazakhstan, as a visiting professor. She was invited to share her expertise in English language teaching methodology and explore opportunities for further international cooperation.

During her stay, she worked closely with undergraduate and master's students preparing to become English language teachers. Her classes focused on current approaches to foreign language teaching, particularly interactive activities designed to develop learners' communicative language competence. With master's students, she paid particular attention to sociolinguistic and pragmatic competences aspects of language and discussed how these could be effectively incorporated into English language teaching. The seminars received very positive feedback from students, and the host university expressed an interest in continuing the cooperation.

The visit also provided an opportunity to strengthen international academic ties. In discussions with colleagues from the Department of English and German Languages, Dr. Reid discussed ways to improve teacher education programmes and explored possibilities for future cooperation in teaching, academic consultation, and research.

Another important outcome was the development of a research collaboration with Anara Urkunova, PhD, Dean of the Faculty, focusing on the integration of intercultural communicative competence (ICC) into English language teaching. The joint research will provide an opportunity to compare educational practices and experiences in Slovakia and Kazakhstan, with the potential for further collaborative research and publications.

Overall, the visit was a valuable opportunity to share expertise, exchange ideas, and strengthen international connections of the Department of British and American Studies, and establish a basis for continued cooperation between the two institutions.