Should English Be Taught in Primary Schools in Kazakhstan?

Abstract

English has become widespread as an international language and many countries focus on teaching their pupils from the earlier age. The Kazakhstani government has made decision that schoolchildren have to learn English as a second foreign language from first grade of schooling. This project studied attitudes of people towards teaching English in Kazakhstan's primary schools. The paper discusses the main argument that causes debate among Kazakhstan's population about learning English in primary schools. It considers the effect on Kazakh language, appropriate stage for learning English and whether Kazakhstan's schools have enough highly qualified English teachers. The research results suggest teaching English as a second foreign language in Kazakhstan's schools from the first grade is too early and offer to begin it from the end of primary schools.