Information about the Department of English Language and Literature

The Department of Foreign Languages was established in 1993 as part of the Engineering and Pedagogical Faculty of Jalal-Abad State University. In its first year, six experienced lecturers were employed, and 50 students were admitted on a state-funded basis. The first Head of the Department of Foreign Languages was Candidate of Philological Sciences A. Zhumashev.

In 1998, based on the Department of Foreign Languages, two new departments were formed: the Department of Methodology of Teaching English-headed by L. S. Kochkorbaeva and the Department of Phonetics and Lexis of the English Language -headed by B. N. Kurmanakunov.

In 2001, by decision of the Academic Council of Jalal-Abad State University (Resolution No. 163 “A”), the Department of English Grammar was established, headed by Candidate of Philological Sciences A. Zh. Shamurzaev.

In 2006, Candidate of Philological Sciences, Associate Professor A. O. Kalmuratova was appointed as Head of the Department of English Grammar.

In 2011, due to structural reorganization, the three departments were merged into a single unit — the Department of English Language and Literature, headed by Candidate of Philological Sciences, Associate Professor A. O. Kalmuratova.

Since September 2025, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Associate Professor Y. K. Zholdoshbaeva, has headed the Department of English Language and Literature.

At present, the department employs 19 lecturers, including 3 Doctors of Philological Sciences, Professors; 4 Candidates of Philological Sciences, Associate Professors; 8 Senior Lecturers; and 4 Lecturers.

The teaching staff of the department is actively involved not only in academic activities but also in various international projects and professional development programs abroad. For example, G. A. Orozbaeva completed an internship in Hungary, and A. A. Sopukulova — in India and other countries.

G. A. Orozbaeva successfully defended her Candidate’s dissertation in 2011, Y. K. Zholdoshbaeva in 2017, and N. E. Arslanbekova in 2022. Department lecturers G. A. Zhoroeva, A. D. Kerimbardieva, A. A. Sopukulova, G. Ch. Alymkulova, and N. A. Tashieva have completed postgraduate studies at Jalal-Abad State University and are preparing for the defense of their scientific works. N. A. Zhumabekova is pursuing a PhD at the International University of Kyrgyzstan, and Zh. B. Satyvaldieva is studying for a master’s degree at the Modern International University.

To promote scientific research, the department operates the “I-Science” laboratory under the supervision of Candidate of Philological Sciences, Associate Professor N. E. Arslanbekova. Under the guidance of Senior Lecturer N. A. Zhumabekova, the “English Drama Club” functions actively, and the “Bridge” club operates under the supervision of Z. T. Zholdosheva.

The academic staff of the department continually works on improving their scientific and pedagogical qualifications, actively participating in national and international seminars and conferences, and earning corresponding certificates.

Through the Fulbright Program, volunteer from the USA, Aureliam Van der Wyld, contributes significantly to the development of students’ English speaking and writing skills.

The department’s lecturers possess strong digital competencies, and the educational process is integrated with digital technologies. The staff also actively participates in English language teaching courses designed for the academic personnel of Jalal-Abad State University.

The Department of English Language and Literature maintains close cooperation with leading universities such as OshSU, OshTU, IATU, IAU, MIU, KNU, as well as with the U.S. Peace Corps and other partner organizations.

The department’s academic staff has published:

• 5 monographs,
• 30 educational-methodical complexes,
• 15 teaching manuals,
• 10 collections of lectures,
• more than 100 scientific articles.

Awards of the Department’s Academic Staff:

1.     Certificates of Honor from the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic — 11

2.     Title of “Excellence in Education” — 9

3.     Certificates of Honor from the Governor of Jalal-Abad Region — 3

4.     Certificates of Honor from the Mayor of Jalal-Abad City — 6

5.     Certificates of Honor from Jalal-Abad State University — 15

6.     Jalal-Abad State University Badges of Distinction — 5

7.     Certificates of Honor from the Faculty of Philology — 2

Information about the Faculty Members of the Department of English Language and Literature

The Department of English Language and Literature trains English language teachers under the educational program 550300 – Philological Education (Foreign – English Language Profile). In the 2024–2025 academic year, the department also enrolled students in the Master’s program in Philological Education (Foreign – English Language Profile). Currently, there are 300  students and 22 master’s students studying at the department.

Academic Activities

The educational process at the Department of English Language and Literature is carried out in accordance with the State Educational Standards and aims to train well-rounded and highly qualified bachelors and masters. The department operates on the basis of the main professional education program of higher education. The standard duration of study for the bachelor’s program 550300 – Philological Education (Foreign – English Language Profile) is 4 years.

Educational and Methodological Work

Educational and methodological activities are continuously implemented at the department. According to the approved schedule, every Saturday is designated as “Methodological Day.” On this day, faculty members organize methodological master classes to exchange professional experience. In addition, seminars, training sessions, and guest lectures on media literacy and the use of innovative technologies in English language teaching are regularly conducted.

The instructors of the department develop textbooks, dictionaries, and teaching materials for each discipline. Educational and methodological complexes (EMC) and syllabi for all disciplines are systematically updated each academic year. Almost all EMCs and syllabi have been developed and uploaded to the AVN portal.

Research Activities

The scientific and research work of the department is carried out in two main directions:

1.     Research conducted by faculty members

2.     Research conducted jointly with students

Every year, the scientific works of the faculty and postgraduate students are published in journals indexed in RSCI, Web of Science, and Scopus. The research papers of master’s students and undergraduates are published in special collections of young researchers’ works.

The Head of the Department, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Associate Professor I.K. Zholodoshbaeva, is a member of the Organizing Committee and Editorial Board of the collection of scientific articles published by Astrakhan State University named after V.N. Tatishchev (Russia).

Student research activity is an important part of the university’s academic life. Faculty members supervise students’ research projects, provide consultations, and guide them in preparing scientific papers and participating in academic conferences.

Social and Educational Work

Social and educational activities at the department are carried out in accordance with the approved plan. Curators regularly conduct educational activities with students, including curatorial hours, debates, events dedicated to jubilees and significant dates. These activities aim to foster patriotism, independent analytical thinking, and the ability to evaluate the modern world based on national and universal human values.

The department’s faculty and students actively participate in university sports events, citywide and university-wide clean-up days, and various creative competitions. Students frequently achieve notable results in contests and academic competitions, demonstrating the success of their curators’ and instructors’ guidance.

Professional Development of the Faculty

Faculty members continuously enhance their qualifications, enrich their methodological experience, and exchange best practices by participating in professional training programs at universities in India, Malaysia, the USA, and Austria.

The department’s academic staff regularly take part in international and national scientific-practical conferences, as well as university seminars, maintaining a commitment to creative and scholarly development.

Enhancing the Quality of Education through Innovation

To ensure high-quality education, faculty members actively use innovative teaching resources, methods, and technologies. Interactive approaches to foreign language instruction are widely applied, such as critical thinking strategies, communicative teaching methods, and interactive forms including round-table discussions, brainstorming, debates, business and role-playing games, and more.

These methods stimulate students’ interest in the subject and contribute to professional growth. Open lectures and practical classes are regularly conducted according to the approved annual schedule. Detailed analyses and reports are prepared after each open session.

Teaching Internship and Practical Training

Students majoring in Foreign (English) Language undergo three types of practical training during their studies:

1.     Adaptation and pedagogical practice – in the 2nd year

2.     Professional basic practice – in the 3rd year

3.     Professional profile practice – in the 4th year

These internships are included in the curriculum and conducted according to the academic schedule. A cooperation agreement has been signed between Jalal-Abad State University and the Jalal-Abad City and Suzak District Departments of Education, allowing students to complete their teaching practice at local schools. Upon completion, students participate in a departmental conference where they share their reflections and experiences.

Master’s students complete management and research-pedagogical internships in accordance with their approved curriculum.

Academic Mobility

Academic mobility at the department functions in two main directions:

1.     Studies at partner universities in Kyrgyzstan

2.     Studies at foreign partner universities

These programs are implemented within the framework of inter-university cooperation agreements. Academic mobility offers students and master’s students the opportunity to improve their foreign language proficiency, deepen their theoretical and practical knowledge, broaden cultural awareness, and build international friendships.

The academic mobility of faculty members is an important aspect of the department’s international and educational activities. It promotes the exchange of experience, joint research and educational projects, and integration into global academic and cultural communities.

Career Guidance in Schools

As part of outreach activities, faculty members conduct career guidance sessions in secondary schools, engaging with 11th-grade students to inform them about the English language teaching profession and opportunities for studying at the university.

Information about the staff of the department