The Educational System: English and other Educators
Schedules:
Class scheduling in schools and universities is an enormous endeavor that usually requires a full-time position. A new schedule is done by hand every week, and sometimes updated without notice. That means both teachers and students must check the schedule daily to make sure they know what the following day will bring. This is especially true at the beginning of the school year and the beginning of second semester.
Classes:
A ―class‖ here is a group of about 30 students assembled in the first grade, who stay together as a group until they graduate. Some shifting occurs, but nevertheless this system leads to strong, family-like ties within a class and few ties outside. Each class is under the supervision of a "Klasniy Rookavaditel." This is an empowered homeroom teacher who is responsible for organizing parent-teacher conferences every quarter to keep parents informed of student performance, and conducting several events or celebrations each year.
Grading:
The grading system in Kazakhstan is 5,4,3,2,1, with a 5 at the top. A ―1‖ is never given, and a ―2‖ is a failing grade. Unlike in America, each class has a "journal" into which all grades for all subjects are written. A student who has a final ―2‖ for a subject must pass a test to continue with his or her studies, or else be held back. If a student is doing poorly in your class it is considered your responsibility to consult with the homeroom teacher so that they can take it to the parents or otherwise address the problem. The same goes for students that usually get all ―5s‖ but who have a ―4‖ and who are supported in their efforts to keep their official record sparkling clean. You can avoid a lot of hassles at the end of the quarter by addressing potential grade problems early. Some Volunteers have been ordered directly not to give ―2s,‖ while others have found failing grades changed in class registers.
"Helping":
Class identity is often stronger than personal identity, and the better a class performs, the happier everyone is. Students commonly "help" one another with homework, class work, and exams. Think about how you will define "cheating" verses "helping" in your classes and share these thoughts with your students. For most of them your ideas will differ from what they are accustomed to, so be prepared to reinforce them more than once.
Discipline:
This is not America and detention does not exist. However much more is permissible in the classroom. Keep your cool because what happens in your classroom will be known citywide. While the assistant principal can be called to help with in-class problems, your best tool is close contact with homeroom teachers and parents. Contact with parents is maintained through the "dnevnik;" a diary of daily grades that all students are required to carry. ―Dnevnik‖ also has space for parents‘ comments. Further problems can be taken to the homeroom teacher, who can talk to parents or the student daily.
Attendance:
The attendance of both students and teachers is less formally enforced here. Both groups often miss lessons for various reasons, from sports practice to carrying tables to rehearsing for spectacles to caring for a younger sibling. In schools, the homeroom teacher is the best person to consult in the event of excessive absences.
College & University Teachers:
Schedules for the college/university teacher should be firm (more firm, usually, than schools‘ schedules) from the start. These teachers usually have more responsibility in determining course content and elective courses. Attendance has been a problem for some volunteers. If attendance is not strictly enforced, students eventually will not come. Giving and grading assignments regularly may inspire better attendance, but if a student misses classes continuously, the volunteer should let someone know so that no conflicts arise at the end of the semester about grading the ones who do not attend.
Colleagues:
Your relationships with administrators and others teachers may be rewarding or frustrating, and you will probably experience both at one time or another. Remember that bringing a volunteer to a school does not require the unanimous support of the entire school community; not everyone will be equally delighted that you‘ve come.
Information Provided By Peace Corps Kazakhstan
Class scheduling in schools and universities is an enormous endeavor that usually requires a full-time position. A new schedule is done by hand every week, and sometimes updated without notice. That means both teachers and students must check the schedule daily to make sure they know what the following day will bring. This is especially true at the beginning of the school year and the beginning of second semester.
Classes:
A ―class‖ here is a group of about 30 students assembled in the first grade, who stay together as a group until they graduate. Some shifting occurs, but nevertheless this system leads to strong, family-like ties within a class and few ties outside. Each class is under the supervision of a "Klasniy Rookavaditel." This is an empowered homeroom teacher who is responsible for organizing parent-teacher conferences every quarter to keep parents informed of student performance, and conducting several events or celebrations each year.
Grading:
The grading system in Kazakhstan is 5,4,3,2,1, with a 5 at the top. A ―1‖ is never given, and a ―2‖ is a failing grade. Unlike in America, each class has a "journal" into which all grades for all subjects are written. A student who has a final ―2‖ for a subject must pass a test to continue with his or her studies, or else be held back. If a student is doing poorly in your class it is considered your responsibility to consult with the homeroom teacher so that they can take it to the parents or otherwise address the problem. The same goes for students that usually get all ―5s‖ but who have a ―4‖ and who are supported in their efforts to keep their official record sparkling clean. You can avoid a lot of hassles at the end of the quarter by addressing potential grade problems early. Some Volunteers have been ordered directly not to give ―2s,‖ while others have found failing grades changed in class registers.
"Helping":
Class identity is often stronger than personal identity, and the better a class performs, the happier everyone is. Students commonly "help" one another with homework, class work, and exams. Think about how you will define "cheating" verses "helping" in your classes and share these thoughts with your students. For most of them your ideas will differ from what they are accustomed to, so be prepared to reinforce them more than once.
Discipline:
This is not America and detention does not exist. However much more is permissible in the classroom. Keep your cool because what happens in your classroom will be known citywide. While the assistant principal can be called to help with in-class problems, your best tool is close contact with homeroom teachers and parents. Contact with parents is maintained through the "dnevnik;" a diary of daily grades that all students are required to carry. ―Dnevnik‖ also has space for parents‘ comments. Further problems can be taken to the homeroom teacher, who can talk to parents or the student daily.
Attendance:
The attendance of both students and teachers is less formally enforced here. Both groups often miss lessons for various reasons, from sports practice to carrying tables to rehearsing for spectacles to caring for a younger sibling. In schools, the homeroom teacher is the best person to consult in the event of excessive absences.
College & University Teachers:
Schedules for the college/university teacher should be firm (more firm, usually, than schools‘ schedules) from the start. These teachers usually have more responsibility in determining course content and elective courses. Attendance has been a problem for some volunteers. If attendance is not strictly enforced, students eventually will not come. Giving and grading assignments regularly may inspire better attendance, but if a student misses classes continuously, the volunteer should let someone know so that no conflicts arise at the end of the semester about grading the ones who do not attend.
Colleagues:
Your relationships with administrators and others teachers may be rewarding or frustrating, and you will probably experience both at one time or another. Remember that bringing a volunteer to a school does not require the unanimous support of the entire school community; not everyone will be equally delighted that you‘ve come.
Information Provided By Peace Corps Kazakhstan
