Clil implementation in West Kazakhstan Marat Ospanov state medical university: challenges and experience

Abstract

In order to improve the language proficiency of students and hence their future employability, West Kazakhstan Marat Ospanov State Medical University is developing bilingual programme. Implementing such programme, however, requires much more than simply promoting a bilingual education policy in universities or the goodwill of teachers interested in participating in them. Given the general language proficiency of teachers and students, it is necessary to design programmes that have clear objectives and sensible timelines that take into account the particular characteristics of each university. Moreover, it is essential that bilingual programmes are well organised and use the appropriate resources and support measures (training in methodology, linguistics, incentives, etc.). In this article, the basic methodological premises are reviewed that should underpin educational proposals based on the learning of academic knowledge through a language other than the students’ mother tongue. The key problems faced by university education authorities when designing such programmes are analysed, and the structural, organisational and training measures that should be taken to overcome such problems and thus ensure the effectiveness of bilingual programmes are examined.