Online English lessons for children in Kazakhstan: English as the third language

How does English fit into school in Kazakhstan?

Kazakh is the state language and Russian is also widely used, and the country has long encouraged children to learn three languages: Kazakh, Russian and English. Schools teach in Kazakh or Russian, with the other language and English as subjects, and some schools teach parts of the timetable in English. How much English a child gets depends a lot on their school, so ask what they cover in each grade.

Many families also choose English classes outside school. The useful question is not how your child compares with others, but what they can do now and what their next step should be.

Is a third language too much for a young child?

No. Children who grow up switching between Kazakh and Russian already know how to keep two languages apart and move between them. That skill helps with a third. It's normal for children to mix words from different languages for a while, and it isn't a sign of confusion. Read bilingual children who mix languages.

What helps is giving English its own regular, relaxed time, such as a weekly lesson, an English story at bedtime or a favourite song, alongside plenty of Kazakh and Russian.

Why do Cyrillic readers need clear English phonics?

Kazakh and Russian are written in Cyrillic, and several Cyrillic letters look like English letters but stand for different sounds. Kazakh is also gradually moving to a Latin-based alphabet, which adds its own letter-sound rules. A child who reads well in Cyrillic may read English words with Cyrillic sounds at first.

Phonics sorts this out: English letter sounds taught one at a time, practised in short words like sat, pin and hop, then built up. See what phonics is and what CVC words are.

Which English sounds take practice for Kazakh and Russian speakers?

• **The th sounds** in think and this, which often come out as s, z, t or d at first.
• W and v, as in wet and vet.
• Short and long vowels, as in ship and sheep, or full and fool.
• Little words like a and the, which Kazakh and Russian don't use, so children often leave them out.

These are normal and improve with listening and practice. A teacher who models the sound and lets your child try again without pressure helps most.

When can a child in Kazakhstan fit in an online lesson?

Kazakhstan now uses a single time zone across the country and doesn't change its clocks, so a weekly slot stays at the same local time all year. Try to choose a 25-minute lesson after school, between about 4pm and 8pm, or a weekend morning. In winter, a lesson at home also saves a cold journey.

Keep the slot the same each week, so it becomes part of the routine, and avoid the last hour before bed, when children are tired. Before the first lesson, test your internet with a short video call at the same time of day, and set up a quiet, well-lit corner.

Is a 1-to-1 lesson better than a group class?

Both have a place. A group class is sociable and gives practice with other children. In a 1-to-1 lesson your child has the teacher's full attention: they speak much more, the teacher can slow down on a tricky sound, and the lesson moves at your child's pace. For a child who understands English but hesitates to speak, that attention is often what unlocks their confidence.

What should I look for in online English lessons?

• A live, real teacher who listens and responds to your child.
• 1-to-1 lessons with plenty of speaking time.
• A step-by-step phonics course for reading.
• A clear starting level, feedback after lessons and progress you can see.
• Short, lively lessons with games for younger children.
• Clear safety rules: checked teachers, lessons only inside the provider's classroom, and a way to report a concern.

To describe your child's level on an international scale, the CEFR is a good reference. Its early levels for children are Pre-A1, A1 and A2. See CEFR levels for children explained.

How can I support English at home in Kazakhstan?

• Read English picture books together and point to the words as you read.
• Turn the look-alike letters into a game: which ones tricked us this week?
• Sing English songs and watch short English cartoons together.
• Ask your child to teach you one new English word or sentence after each lesson.
• Keep Kazakh and Russian strong. Each language supports the others.

How would CurioKids lessons work for a family in Kazakhstan?

CurioKids gives children aged 4–12 live, 1-to-1 online English lessons with a real teacher, 25 minutes each, in the CurioKids classroom: video, an interactive whiteboard, lesson slides and games. Most children start with Phonics Starter, our 52-lesson reading course, then move on to CEFR-based levels. After lessons, you get teacher feedback and can follow progress in your parent dashboard. See our curriculum and safety pages.

Visit our Kazakhstan page to see how lessons work, what your child will learn and how we keep children safe. If lessons for families in Kazakhstan haven't opened yet, the page has a waitlist: leave your details and we'll let you know when you can book your child's free first lesson. Plans for families in Kazakhstan are priced in Kazakhstani tenge: see the prices for Kazakhstan.