Paper long abstract:

"Workforce development in Kazakhstan: The Role of Multilingual Instruction".

Fatima Duisebayeva - Kazakh National Agrarian University, Head of Foreign Languages Department, Professor, Ph.D., Almaty , Kazakhstan. E-mail: fatimad2004@mail.ru

This paper explores the workforce development in Kazakhstani higher education and preparation of students and recent graduates for the future work, thus meeting the economic and social demands of an increasingly competitive labor market. The study highlights relevant foreign and national comparative research and practice in the thematic area of the panel, providing the theoretical analysis of scholarly approaches, as well as practical and methodological implications on the basis of implementing multilingual instruction at Kazakhstan's higher educational institutions.

The paper considers the role of multilingual instruction and particularly English language training in workforce development through the case study of Kazakh National Agrarian University, the leading agricultural university in Kazakhstan. I argue that successful approaches include increasing English language learning services accessibility, and promoting initiatives where language preparation is integrated into university programming. The paper focuses on the conceptualization of ME in the context of the educational framework, i.e., simultaneous teaching in three languages - Kazakh, Russian and English. ME implementation comprises reforming state standards and curricula with the aim of introducing new courses and electives in English language , which will enhance students' employability and contribute to their succeeding in professional settings. The paper is based on data including interviews with students, graduates, multilingual faculty from Kazakh National Agrarian University, industry representatives and surveys of higher education institutions around the country. The paper also draws from materials including international professional competency frameworks, as well as my own experience of supervising the Institute for Multilingual education for four years.

The paper results will provide the higher education community in Kazakhstan and elsewhere with recommendations for developing multilingual instruction to help ensure that students achieve their professional career goals.

Key words: workforce development, competitive labor market, multilingual instruction, enhancing employability.