English-language learners in Kazakhstan now have a novel way to increase their word power. The British Council, the UK’s international cultural relations body, has teamed up with Kcell, Kazakhstan's largest mobile network operator, to provide subscribers with English vocabulary lessons by SMS text message.
For five cents a day, learners receive a new word in their inboxes. The word arrives with Kazakh and Russian translations and a sample phrase. At the end of the week users -- who can choose among three difficulty levels -- get a progress test.
The new scheme feeds into Astana's “Trinity of Languages” program, which envisages all school graduates able to communicate equally well in Kazakh, Russian and English. Kazakhstan is keen to promote itself as open to international investment and sees a multilingual workforce as essential to those credentials.
The authorities in Astana are facing an uphill struggle to promote the uptake of Kazakh, the country’s official language, however. Maybe they could take a leaf out of the British Council's book and use similar innovative methods to popularize Kazakh among the legions of cellphone-savvy adolescents.
Paul Bartlett is a journalist based in Almaty.
Sign up for Eurasianet's free weekly newsletter. Support Eurasianet: Help keep our journalism open to all, and influenced by none.