In 2020 February 28, L.N.Gumilyov Eurasian national university, the Department of foreign languages of the Philological faculty together with the Department of Foreign Languages of the Faculty of International Relations, sponsored by “Inter press Distribution” LLP and the US Embassy, held the International Olympiad in Foreign Languages, dedicated to the 175th anniversary of the great poet, writer, public figure, founder of modern Kazakh written literature Abai Kunanbayuly, for 1- 2 year students of non-linguistic specialties of universities of Kazakhstan, near and far abroad.
The main goal of the Olympiad on foreign languages among students of non-linguistic specialties is to promote the idea of multilingualism, increase motivation to learn foreign languages and expand the sociocultural and linguistic competence of students.
1-2 year students of non-linguistic specialties of higher educational institutions from different regions of Kazakhstan, near and far abroad such as Green Valley Education Institution (India), I. Arabaev Kyrgyz state university (Kyrgyzstan), Voronezh state pedagogical university (Russia) became participants in the annual International Olympiad. Also, the event was attended by students of L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian national university, Kazakh university of technology and business (Nur-Sultan), Kazakh university of economics, finance and international trade (Nur-Sultan), Medical university (Nur-Sultan), S. Seifullin Kazakh agrotechnical university (Nur-Sultan), Eurasian humanitarian institute (Nur-Sultan), M.S. Narikbaev Kazakh state law university (Nur-Sultan), Higher trade and economic college of Kazpotrebsoyuz (Nur-Sultan), E.A. Buketov Karaganda state university (Karaganda), Shakarim State university (Semei), M. Kozybaev North Kazakhstan state university (Petropavlovsk), Sh.Ualikhanov Kokshetau University (Kokshetau), Kazakh National Agrarian University of Almaty, K.A. Yassavi International kazakh-turkish university (Turkestan).
The International Olympiad was opened by the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs of L.N. Gumilyov ENU, Professor, Doctor of Law Sciences Ongarbaev E.A. Erkin Anuarovich noted the importance of this event in the framework of popularizing the study of foreign languages among young people in the light of the ideas of the great Kazakh thinker Abai Kunanbaev, who wrote: “... Knowledge of a foreign language and culture makes a person equal with this people…”
Welcoming speeches were addressed to the participants and guests of the Olympiad by Dean of the Faculty of Philology, Candidate of philological sciences, Associate professor Beisenbai Ardak Bakhytovich, Diplomat of the US Embassy (Public Diplomacy Associate) Hazar Flashberg and Head of the Department of foreign languages, Faculty of Philology, Candidate of pedagogical sciences Associate professor Sagimbayeva Jannat Elemesovna.
Among the invited guests should be noted Hazar Flashberg (Public Diplomacy Associate), Robert Gordyn -Academic English Instructor (Nazarbayev University), Jacob Levitan - Academic English Instructor ENU (ENU volunteer by “Go Nomads” program), Anita Traute Kahl-English Language Instructor (LLP “Parasat”), and Miller Yu.A. consultant-methodologist (“Inter Press Distribution” LLP), who were experts in evaluating the results of the 3 rounds of the Olympiad. The composition of the commission for summing up also included the leading teachers of L.N. Gumilyov ENU Sultan D., Toguzbayeva G.M. and Nurpeisova A.Kh.
The international olympiad was held in 3 rounds. Listening was conducted as part of the first round; the second round consisted of a lexical and grammatical test. Due to the fact that the event is dedicated to the 175th anniversary of the great Kazakh leader Abai Kunanbaev, in the third round students demonstrated communication skills on the topic “Life and work of the great Kazakh thinker, enlightener and teacher Abai Kunanbaev”
As a result of the work of the commission for summing up the results of the International Olympiad, winner are as follows: (1st place – Kabdosheva Botagoz (L.N.Gumilyov Eurasian national university), Shveikin Konstantin (S.Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical university), 2nd place - Hajira Subair (Astana Medical university), Rasulkyzy Dariga (L.N.Gumilyov Eurasian national university), Darakshan Sajad (Astana Medical university), Еrmekov Madi (L.N.Gumilyov Eurasian national university), 3rd place - Esentay Bakhyt (Astana Medical university), Meleket Agness (Higher trade and economic college of Kazpotrebsoyuz), Zhumabekov Adilzhan (Sh.Ualikhanov Kokshetau University), Тaspaeva Dinara (L.N.Gumilyov Eurasian national university), Аkhmetova Adya (M.S. Narikbaev Kazakh state law university), Zhanabergenova Aruzhan (L.N.Gumilyov Eurasian national university), who were awarded diplomas and souvenirs. Letters of gratitude were awarded to teachers who successfully prepared the participants, and educational organizations whose students took part in the Olympiad were also noted.
Closing remarks were made by: Sagimbaev J.E. - Head of the Department of Foreign Languages, Faculty of Philology, L.N. Gumilyov ENU, D. Saparova - Director of the Center for the Development of Multilingual Education and Academic Resources, Y.A. Miller – Consultant methodist (“Inter Press Distribution” LLP).
The event was held at a high level. As experience shows, the regular conduct of language Olympiads contributes to the formation of a classical university education, the identification of talents, and the disclosure of the intellectual potential of modern university youth.
