Professor Eva Smetanova, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences at Comenius University (Slovakia), has come to Baitursynuly University.
This is not her first visit to our region: earlier, she worked in Arkalyk and then spent two years in Kostanay. This year, at the invitation of KRU Rector Seytbek Kuanyshbayev, she joined our university.
We met at the U. Sultangazin Pedagogical Institute. The professor has quickly immersed herself in university life: lectures in Russian and English, joint projects, scholarly articles, and lively discussions with students.
“- I was invited as a visiting lecturer,” the guest notes. “Together with the students, we write articles, discuss ideas, and work on projects. I see that they are open, they always respond and ask questions. I like this very much, especially when they work in groups. It’s amazing how active they are, they speak well in both Russian and English.”
We were told that multilingualism is a special focus of yours.
“-Many of your students speak three, four, or even five languages. This interests me greatly: teaching such students requires a different approach; it’s important to help them recognize the value of their multilingualism.”
How different is the education system in Slovakia from Kazakhstan’s?
“— It’s hard to compare, because much depends on traditions and culture. Habits differ from place to place. For example, your class bells at the university play kuy, which is incredibly beautiful! We also used to have bells, but they were later abolished, and now lecturers keep track of time themselves. Otherwise, class periods, students, subjects, the individualized approach of teachers, everything is very similar!”
For Professor Smetanova, teaching is a source of inspiration, she admits, despite the significant emotional demands.
“Yes, there are moments of fatigue,” the educator acknowledges, “but as soon as I walk into a lecture hall and see students’ engaged eyes, everything changes. Their words of gratitude, corrected mistakes, and grasp of new material that is exactly what gives me the strength and desire to keep working.”
The guest noted that Kostanay has changed noticeably in recent years and that is impressive.
“I can see how the city is developing and how the university is changing. It’s clear there is movement here, an aspiration to move forward and that makes me very happy!”
