Optimizing Online Language Teaching: Strategies for Adapting, Scaffolding, and Assessing in Kazakh Higher Education.

Author : Perizat Yelubayeva

Abstract :The rapid transition to online education during the COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated significant global language learning and teaching adaptations within higher education institutions. This shift has underscored the demand for optimized teaching strategies tailored to the online settings in Kazakhstan. This article examines three pivotal components of effective online language instruction: adapting traditional teaching strategies, implementing scaffolded learning, and enhancing assessment and feedback mechanisms. This study aims to discern practical methods that Kazakh language instructors can employ to transition from classroom to online teaching while upholding high levels of student active engagement and effective learning outcomes. The study encompasses qualitative interviews with Kazakh higher education language instructors and a review of contemporary pedagogical literature to explore the adaptation of conventional language teaching strategies, such as task-based learning and Communicative Language Teaching, for virtual classrooms. Moreover, the research evaluates scaffolded learning approaches and investigates the effective integration of formative assessments and feedback into online courses. The findings indicate that instructors who utilized scaffolded learning and provided frequent, timely feedback witnessed heightened levels of student participation and satisfaction, notwithstanding initial challenges concerning the maintenance of interaction and engagement. By integrating multimodal resources and collaborative tools into traditional teaching strategies, these instructors were able to fashion more dynamic learning environments. The discussion centers on the implications of these findings for higher education in Kazakhstan, proposing a structured, strategic approach to online language teaching. This research suggests a framework for language instructors to enhance their online courses, thereby ensuring the sustained success of students amidst the evolving educational settings.

Keywords :Online education, Kazakh language, scaffolded learning, formative assessments, teaching strategies.

Conference Name :International Conference on Designing Effective Educational Instructions (ICDEEI-24)

Conference Place Rome, Italy

Conference Date 20th Dec 2024