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Help locals with English in non-touristic village in southern Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan
Favourited 494 times
Last activity: 6 Mar 2023

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Host rating
80 %
Feedback
19
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Availability

2023

Min stay requested: at least 2 weeks

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Details

Description
Our name is Assela (founder), Elvira and Gulzira (co-owners) are three English teachers running an education center in Kulan. It is a quiet and small village in Southern part of Kazakhstan surrounded with steps and mountains.

We are private school.
Each class has 4-8 students of different age group. From 7 to 23 years old. They are all divided by age and level of English knowledge. We have three English language teachers from Kazakstan. They are very exited to meet with native English speakers.
Main goal of the school is to support women and help people in local area to be able to speak English.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Art Projects
Language practice
Teaching
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We will help volunteers to book the ticket to Kulan with the local price and will pick-up upon arrival from the station Lugovoe in Kulan.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
We are looking for volunteers excited to help local people learning English in my local area. Some of the help will be at the education center, helping the students practice their English, and some help will need with creating activities with teachers.

Volunteers may be able to integrate themselves in this environment and carry out English lessons.
Volunteers are also encouraged to get involved with other subjects and extra-curricular activities. Depending on your interests and skills, you could teach math, science, drama, art, and more.
With some groups, you can follow the textbook, with others just practice their communication skills.

Once a week we have two "Speaking Club" sessions in the morning and afternoon. The students will want to find out about you and the country you come from.

In conclusion, the work included would be as stated above: teaching, delivering flyers/promoting the school, along with conducting the Speaking Club sessions.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Kazakh: Fluent
Russian: Fluent
This host offers a language exchange
At our school, you can learn Russian and Kazakh language with native speakers.
Accommodation
We can offer:
A stay with my family (with my father and my sister who comes for 1-3 months to live with my father), you will have your own room with good wifi. Breakfast and dinner will be provided (we expect you also make sometimes dinner). We have dinner together but breakfast you will be eating alone since my father lives to work very early. Sometimes we have family guests where they visit us and we go to visit them.
What else ...
We would love to share with you our tradition and teach you Russian and Kazakh languages.
Kulan has beautiful mountains we will take you there.

You can learn some of the local languages. Kazakh and Russian.

Every thing will be in Russia or Kazakh. Few people can speak English.

You will be the only one western person in Kulan and every one would love to be your tour guide and show you some of the cool places.
A little more information
- Internet access
- Limited internet access
- We have pets
- We are smokers
- Can host families
Can host digital nomads
At the house, we have very good Wifi and you will have a private room. Also, school is located 7 minutes walk from home it will be easy to teach and work on your own projects.
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
5 hours (each volunteer), 5 days a week

Host ref number: 134632436579

Feedback (11)

22 Sep 2022

When I look back and think about my travels around Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan), my 2 and half weeks in Kulan were amongst the best experiences I had there. The most authentic way how to get to know Kazakhstan or basically any other country is to spend time with locals and see how the locals live (especially on the… read more countrysides in villages and smaller towns). That is one if the biggest reasons why I love workaway and this workaway provides exactly that!
You will stay in a small town where there is not much happening but it is a great place to relax and to see how the locals live. Probably it is better if you come with someone else if you can get bored easily alone (I do not so for me it was good just by myself hah).
The work itself is nice and really rewarding because the kids are just amazing and they want to learn a lot + they are almost always full of energy and they really do enjoy their classes. It is a great feeling when you can help them to improve. You will have classes with different age groups and different levels so it is not a monotonous work. You will have all the books ready and provided by the school so it is easy to prepare for each lesson (you can just follow the plan or you can also add something differnt if you feel like that could help them to improve - you will have your freedom when it comes to that). In comparison with other ,,workaways,, you will probably work bit more but also as I stated above it is a rewarding job. The administrator at the school is just so lovely (as everybody there). She always brought or bought something for me, was always interested in my needs and if I am doing alright and so on. The one thing worth mentioning is that I would recommend you to speak some Russian before going there (it is super helpful). However, if you speak some Russian and want to improve or want to learn some, this is the place! Because sometimes it makes the life way more easier.
The housing is nice as you have your own room in a modern house with a big garden full of apples and also WiFi. Another thing to mention is that there is not a toilet in the house but you need to go outside to the latrine (no worries you will get used to that pretty fast I promise :D). Also there is not a shower inside of the house. However, outside of the house there is a ,,russian banya,, (sauna kind of thing) where you can shower.

I think I wrote more than enough but if you guys (possible volunteers) want to know more, just lemme know:)

Overall, my stay in Kulan was unforgettable and I am super thankful for that possibility. Thank you so much for treating me so nicely, providing me with everything I needed and even helping me beyond the Workaway after I finished my stay. I am forever grateful! Take care and good luck with everything!

Adam :)

(Excellent )

9 Aug 2022

We spent an amazing two weeks in Kulan in July 2022. Teaching here was very rewarding even though the summer holidays meant classes were a bit quieter than normal. We were made to feel so welcome by Alesya and Augustina whilst at school, and treated to many meals, snacks and drinks whilst volunteering. While we were there they had an English… read more

(Excellent )

8 Feb 2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Claire)

Claire is absolutely the most open, full of enthusiasm and positive person! She is ready to help with everything. Most fascinating is that first, she will observe and clearly understand weakness and strength of each group, for example, a group with weak pronunciation and vocabulary, she will be focused and prepared lessons for them in these… read more

(Excellent )

4 Feb 2019

This was one of the best experiences of my entire life. I stayed in Kulan for around three weeks in January 2019. It was my first workaday experience, and I could not have wished for a better one.

Aydin was incredibly helpful and a true joy to be around. She cares so much about the teachers and the students. Her sisters and father were very kind… read more and helpful as well. I really enjoyed staying at her house, it was very comfortable place, with my own room, and an indoor toilet. To wash they have a sauna. The school is truly a family. I was honoured to be part of the group of women who taught here. Everyone there works incredibly hard and really loves the children. I looked forward to going to school every morning and I left school everyday with such a feeling of joy and satifiscation for having spent my day with the women and children in here. I will miss their smiles.

My only regret is that I didn't stay longer. I would have really loved to have started a speaking club or organized more activities for the children or teachers. However, time did not allow for it. I advise if you want to volunteer that you come for at least a month. I think volunteering here you can have a real impact. Upon meeting me, the children were more eager to practice their english, and the teachers had an opportunity to converse in English (with a native speaker).

Furthermore, Kazakhstan is a remarkable place to travel. The kindness and hospitality of Kazahk people is incomparable to any other culture. On one occasion, I was lost in another city and invited by a complete stranger to visit her home to have food and tea with her family before driving me where I needed to be and offering me a place to sleep at night. Every visit I had in someones home I was treated spectacularly and I was truly blown away at how generous they were. I was even given gifts as a thank you for staying at someones home. The warm, rich, welcoming culture, full of customs and traditions in Kazakhstan, is unique and simply not comparable to any other country. Moreover, I never felt that safety was an issue. If you are planning to come to Kazakstan, I recommend getting a sim card so you can have data (translator, maps, etc) because almost no one speaks english and downloading the app inDriver for taxis (so you aren't ripped off as a foreigner!).

If you are interested in volunteering and want to here my volunteer experience, please message me as would be happy to answer any questions about my experience.

Aydin and Assela, thank you so much for this opportunity. The short weeks I spent at your school have really changed my life. I hope to come back and help more with your amazing school.

(Excellent )

View all 11 feedbacks

Photos

Living room

Your room

Dining room

Kitchen/house

Graduation Day with ABC learners

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Lesson at nearby park

Speaking Club

Feedback

These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.

Accuracy of profile:
(4.5)

Cultural exchange:
(5.0)

Communication:
(4.5)

22 Sep 2022

Left by Workawayer (Adam) for host

(Excellent )

9 Aug 2022

Left by Workawayer (Kate & Tom) for host

(Excellent )

8 Feb 2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Claire)

(Excellent )

4 Feb 2019

Left by Workawayer (Claire) for host

(Excellent )

26 Jun 2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Dana)

Dana was the amazing teacher, she created the best speaking clubs for students in Appletree school, was so interesting and memorable.
Teachers learned from Dana different kind of teaching methods and most inspired the way how she prepares her lessons and how she uses the materials in lessons.
Also, she is very kind, responsible and good person… read more

(Excellent )

19 Jun 2018

Left by Workawayer (Dana) for host

I stayed in Kulan for three weeks during January-February, and had a very good experience. I stayed at Aidyn’s family’s home, and the family was very nice and welcoming - I immediately felt comfortable! I was really grateful for that, since everything was totally new and foreign to me. And it was a great opportunity to experience local life and… read more

(Excellent )

14 Jun 2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Emilija)

We all had the pleasure of working and leaving in one house with Emilija. Each teacher is impressed with an ability to motivate and analyze lesson plan which made the activities bright and very interesting. She is open and cares about each student and teacher at the school which made easier to engage with her.
At home, the family felt very… read more

(Excellent )

12 Jun 2018

Left by Workawayer (Emilija) for host

I spent almost a month in this small and beautiful town Kulan and absolutely loved it! I had the big pleasure to be around very lovely people - I lived with Aydin, her father and her younger sister - all of them were super nice, welcoming and made me feel like at home. I didn't have the pleasure to meet Assela but I want to thank her as well for… read more

(Excellent )

15 Jan 2018

Left by Workawayer (Rob & Emma) for host

We had such an amazing time with resu and Herman. I really recommend coming here and experiencing real Bavarian life. It is a little hard work, waking up around 9, helping with the birds and then cooking lunch, but it is completely worth it. We felt so at home here, they were lovely. We went out in bamberg which was hilarious, and Herman and resu… read more

(Excellent )

23 Apr 2017

Left by Workawayer (Monica Thune) for host

What an amazing experience! I'm so happy I went to Kulan and got to meet all these incredibly nice and generous people. I learned so much about the people, culture and country and I'm so gratefull to all the teachers, children, host family and people in the town for being so nice to me. Work was fun and the children so sweet. I wish I could have… read more

(Excellent )

19 Apr 2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Monica Thune)

It was so nice to have Monica at our school. Everyone loved her, liked her smile and bright personality. Teachers are enjoyed working with her because she will first give the initiative to help and engage with students, it helped to students to open themselves and speak English. Even, our new manager started to learn English, she regrets that she… read more

(Excellent )

7 Mar 2017

Left by Workawayer (Léa) for host

I had an absolutely wonderful time in Kulan. If you ask me, it was too short, I'd have liked to stay longer. From the moment I arrived, I was warmly welcomed by teachers and the students.
I really liked the homely atmosphere everywhere I went. Everyone is so nice to you and wants to get to know you. On my second day, I went to the bazar… read more

(Excellent )

6 Mar 2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Léa)

Lea is easy going and cheerful person. We were lucky to have her at school. In winter it is not easy to be in the village, but she was always happy to help students and teachers.
All teachers appreciated Lea’s support during the classes and teachers learned new activities that continue to use in their lessons.

Thanks for everything Lea and… read more

(Excellent )

25 Nov 2015

Left by Workawayer (Clare) for host

I stayed in Kazakhstan and worked at this school for 6 weeks. It was the BEST experience ever! I would recommend it to anyone. I was warmly welcomed by everybody - the family, the teachers and the students and they are all absolutely lovely people. I really miss everybody! It was such an interesting cultural experience and I had so many amazing… read more

(Excellent )

25 Nov 2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Clare)

It was lovely to have Clare here. She adapted well to our family life and Kazakh culture.
I liked her positive and open minded attitude. Students liked her very much. Now every students ask "when Clare will come back" :) She was very gentle and nice to all of them. During this 6 weeks a lot of students improved their English because of Clare.… read more

(Excellent )

28 Aug 2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Nicholas)

It was pleasure to host you Nick, students and family are misses you. We often remember time with you. You were very helpful and friendly with students. You brought a lot of joy to school. Books and education materials are very helpful to learn English.
We thank you for your time and contribution. You maked summer at school more brighter.
… read more

(Excellent )

15 Aug 2015

Left by Workawayer (Nicholas) for host

I stayed in Kulan for the last three weeks of June. It was my first Workaway experience. I’m pleased to report that I had the most amazing time!

In terms of work, I prepared and gave four hours of English language classes a week to the older students (15+), took the Speaking Club once a week, and also helped Assela and her colleagues in the… read more

(Excellent )

7 May 2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Maria)

Marie was our first Workaway volunteer. Everybody at the education center was excited to have a guest teacher, and for some, it was the first time they saw a Western person. Teachers were also excited to have a foreigner visiting.

So, we didn't expect a volunteer would treat Workaway like Couchsurfing: after three days of volunteering, Marie… read more

(Neutral )

5 Apr 2015

Left by Workawayer (Maria) for host

I stayed in Kulan for 1.5 weeks and was the first volunteer. Kulan is a really nice city and you be able to experience the real Kazakshtan lifestyle. The teachers at the education center were very friendly and students too. I was surprised how well the students spoke English. I also learned some Kazak and Russian.

I would definitely recommend… read more

(Excellent )

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Homestays, Volunteering & Working Holidays in Kazakhstan Homestays, Volunteering & Working Holidays in Asia Family Kazakhstan School Kazakhstan

Help locals with English in non-touristic village in southern Kazakhstan

Profile information

Host rating

Feedback

Facebook verified

Email verified

Badges (3)

Find your perfect host

Availability

Details

Description

Types of help and learning opportunities

Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

Projects involving children

Help

Languages

Accommodation

What else ...

A little more information

Can host digital nomads

Space for parking camper vans

How many Workawayers can stay?

Hours expected

Feedback (11)

Photos

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