Our MA program is distinguished by its diverse faculty, drawing expertise from both the Global North and South epistemologies. This unique blend provides students with a rich, global perspective on their field of study. We emphasize interactive and humanistic pedagogies, ensuring that each student is actively engaged and supported throughout their academic journey.

Teaching and Learning
Our pedagogical methods are centered around fostering a collaborative and inclusive learning environment. We use a variety of instructional techniques, including:

• Interactive Lectures and Seminars: Encouraging active participation and critical thinking through discussions, case studies, and group work.
• Experiential Learning: Incorporating real-world projects, fieldwork, and community engagement to connect theory with practice.
• Mentorship and Peer Learning: Facilitating strong mentor-student relationships and peer support networks to enhance personal and academic growth.

Assessment
Assessment in our MA program is designed to be comprehensive and reflective of each student's learning experience. We utilize a range of assessment methods to cater to different learning styles and ensure a fair evaluation of student progress:

• Formative Assessments: Including quizzes, presentations, and class participation to provide ongoing feedback and support learning development.
• Summative Assessments: Such as essays, research projects, and examinations to evaluate the depth of understanding and mastery of subject matter.
• Reflective Practices: Encouraging self-assessment and reflection through journals and portfolios to promote continuous personal and academic improvement.

Our commitment to an interactive and humanistic approach, combined with our global faculty, prepares our graduates to become thoughtful, skilled, and culturally aware professionals in their respective fields.

Our program is designed to empower you with the knowledge, skills, and perspectives needed to navigate the complex landscape of multilingual or trilingual education in Kazakhstan. Our faculty believes that language is not just a tool of communication but a gateway to understanding culture, forging identity, and championing social justice.

We recognize the critical importance of language in addressing issues of educational equity, diversity, and social justice. You will engage in meaningful dialogues and research to examine and address the role of language/s in creating equity, diversity, and social justice within the contexts of classrooms, schools, universities, the workplace, and communities.

In our program, you will develop the capacity to engage in thoughtful discussions, articulate your ideas effectively, and engage in critical reflection on the intricate interplay of language, culture, and identity. This deeper understanding will empower you to explore the profound connections between these elements and enable you to recognize and ponder the central role that language and culture play in shaping:

• the self (our identities)
• society, community, and nation-building
• educational spaces and the importance of fostering inclusive and culturally responsive learning and teaching environments.

Our students engage in core courses such as:

1. Introduction to Linguistics
2. Educational Context and Reform in Kazakhstan,
3. Foundations of Multilingual Education
4. Multilingual Schools and Multilingual Curriculum Development and Assessment
5. Research Methods I & II (Qualitative/Quantitative)
6. Multilingual Society
7. Language and Literacy Development

In these courses, our students gain extensive knowledge about multilingualism in and outside of educational spaces and develop the qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods research skills to conduct rigorous, independent Master’s thesis research on an important topic of their choice.

We also offer a range of elective courses such as:

1. Application of Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) in teaching
2. Language Planning and Policy
3. Language Policy and Education Reform across Contexts
4. Multiliteracies: Teaching Language and Literacy for a Multilingual Context
5. First and Second Language Acquisition (NCP)

In addition, our students develop important research skills through a milestone project by doing research on the topics of their choice and by attending the courses aimed at helping them in writing their thesis:

1. Thesis Research I, II, and III

These three research courses offer support, guidance, and mentoring for students’ thesis work under the guidance of their Thesis Supervisors that culminates with a thesis defense (Viva Voce) and submission of the Master's Thesis.

• operate professionally, and at a high degree of fluency, in all skill areas, in the English language;
• function professionally, at a reasonable degree of fluency, in the Kazakh language;
• demonstrate knowledge and critical awareness of current problems and of the contemporary research base related to bilingual and multilingual teaching and learning practice;
• demonstrate an understanding of the processes of L1, L2 and L2+ acquisition;
• demonstrate familiarity with core concepts in linguistics, and especially in applied linguistics, as they relate to multilingual individuals, schools and classrooms;
• demonstrate sensitivity to issues of bilingualism and multilingualism in the context of modern Kazakhstan;
• design and conduct basic research dealing with language issues in schools and classrooms;
• articulate the nature and purposes of language education policy, both internationally and in the context of Kazakhstan; and
• demonstrate an understanding and an awareness of the role of English internationally and in Central Asia.

Graduates of the MA in Multilingual Education are prepared for a wide range of careers in education, advocacy, policy, research, and community leadership. Whether you aspire to become a multilingual educator, an educational advocate, a curriculum developer, or a policy influencer, our program equips you with the skills to make a meaningful impact. Upon completing our Master of Arts in Multilingual Education, you will be well-prepared to excel in a variety of roles, including:

• Multilingual Education researcher, teacher or consultant
• Bilingual Program Coordinator
• Language Policy Analyst
• Language Education Consultant
• Community Engagement Specialist
• Social Justice Advocate in Education

Additionally, students in the Multilingual Education specialization are prepared for further doctoral study in their field, as evidenced by many of our graduates who have studied in top universities around the world.

People interested in research, leadership and teaching of:
○     Kazakh, Russian, English and/or additional foreign languages as subjects
○     Languages of minority ethnic groups in Kazakhstan
○     Academic subjects in English
○     Language learning strategies
○     Teaching students from linguistically and culturally diverse backgrounds
○     Language policy and language-in-education policy

It is a full-time two-year program.
Campus: Astana, Kazakhstan
Language: English
Delivery mode: Full time, on-campus.
Duration: 2 years
Total ECTS credit: 120

To ensure success in a rapidly changing globalized and international world, stakeholders (from teachers and administrators to leaders) must develop a deeper, critical understanding of education. This program enables students to develop global, international, and critical skills to be utilized as human capital for ensuring the development of future generations to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world.

Library for study and leisure

NU library is in its own way a unique phenomenon. A 24-hour work schedule, an extensive book collection, access to numerous electronic databases, and well-thought-out infrastructure - all these together create an indescribable atmosphere of the library. Everything here is created for study and research.
The library provides a convenient, comfortable, and cozy atmosphere for both group and individual activities. There are reading rooms that can be used for group work or classes, as well as separate rooms that provide complete privacy and silence for individuals, which can be booked for 4 hours by a student.
NU library has Computer Labs, where all visitors have the opportunity to rent laptops and use computers with licensed software. For users with special needs, the Assistive Technologies Room is provided with workstations equipped for any need.
At the same time, the NU library cares not only about creating conditions for classes, but also for relaxing from routine work. So, for those visitors who want to take a break from work, the library can offer a visit to the Relax Room. This is an ideal space with comfortable furniture and dim lights, where you can meditate and relax if you wish.
Research capacity Building opportunities

Our MA program offers students ample opportunities to build their capacity for state-of-the-art research. One of the best ways to develop research skills is by working as a Research Assistant (RA) under the supervision of professors on various research projects. As RAs, students will enhance their collaborative and research skills by conducting research, analyzing data, and developing manuscripts for publication in academic journals. Additionally, students can present their findings at local and international conferences.

Research seminars CARCEIT

Students will have the opportunity to benefit from highly advanced level research seminars organized by CARCEIT. Operating within GSE, CARCEIT stands for Central Asian Research Centre for Educational Innovation and Transformation. The mission of this unit is "to lead the way in educational research throughout Central Asia". For more details about CARCEIT, please follow the provided link.


Publications in NUGSE Research in Education (NUGSERiE)

The Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Education Research in Education (NUGSERiE) is a biannual publication designed for students to participate in research and share their work on a wider range of topical areas. It provides opportunities for emerging researchers to disseminate knowledge and offer informed perspectives on current and future developments in education. The journal aims to share experiences and promote understanding of the unique educational context of Kazakhstan and Central Asia. It is targeted at educational leaders, policymakers, researchers, and students. For more details about the journal, please follow the given link.


Research symposium and poster presentation

Students in the Multilingual Education program can present their research in the form of posters at events such as the students' symposium, Research Day, and other events. The program team organized the first student-led symposium, the Multilingual Education Student Symposium (MLESS), on September 30, 2023. The symposium aimed to provide a platform for students to showcase their research in the field of language within and outside educational spaces and to engage in discussions on the latest developments and trends in this area. Submissions were received from undergraduate and graduate students across various disciplines related to language, including linguistics, applied linguistics, language teaching, language policy, bilingualism and multilingualism, language assessment, and second language acquisition.

Alumni Talks

Our MA program organizes a series of 'Alumni Talks' to enable current students to engage with emerging scholars and distinguished alumni. These talks provide a valuable platform for exchanging knowledge, expertise, and experiences.
Participation in the school committees
To develop students' academic, administrative, and organizational skills, our MA program offers opportunities for students to serve as representatives on various school committees. This role allows them to engage in discussions and deliberations with professors, deepening their understanding of the committees' work on related matters.

Student Clubs

NU has more than 100 student-run clubs and organizations on campus in various areas of intellectual development including scientific and research activity, school-based clubs, creativity, entertainment, civic engagement, charity, culture, and performing arts. Student clubs provide students with opportunities to put their ideas into action. Students are encouraged to complement their intellectual and leadership pursuits with self-directed programs that provide a bridge between their academic and extracurricular experiences. There are many benefits to joining student clubs: making new friends, developing new skills and abilities, working as part of a team, learning to set and achieve goals, sharing time and talents, as well as having fun. For more information please visit, https://nu.edu.kz/campus/student-life/student-clubs

Distinguished Guests

Nazarbayev University is honored to host visits by distinguished guests: high-ranking political and public figures, heads of states, Parliaments, and international organizations. Since 2010, Nazarbayev University has hosted over 50 distinguished guests. Among them Xi Jinping, Prince Albert II, John Kerry, David Cameron, Shinzo Abe, Dmitry Medvedev, Narendra Modi, Christine Lagarde, Catherine Ashton, Suma Chakrabarti, and others.