Teacher’s Journey and Career Choice: A Meeting with an American Instructor

On November 18 at 12:00 PM, the Kazakh-American Free University hosted a seminar with Gary Soper, a certified English teacher from Portland, Oregon, USA, who has collaborated with KAFU for many years.

Students from the Journalism, Russian Language and Literature, and Kazakh Language and Literature programs participated in the seminar.

Gary Soper shared his professional experience, discussed his development as a teacher and his choice of career path, and recalled significant encounters that influenced his teaching methods and understanding of the role of a teacher. Students asked questions about motivation, how young people in the United States choose their future profession, and the personal qualities needed for a modern teacher.

Participants paid special attention to comparing the educational models of Kazakhstan and the United States. They discussed the specifics of school preparation, curriculum structure, assessment approaches, academic independence, and the role of critical thinking. Students shared their own observations, comparing Kazakhstani and American experiences.

A key topic of the meeting was the use of artificial intelligence in education. Gary Soper noted that AI can significantly expand the capabilities of both teachers and students, but emphasized the need for responsible use of technology and the development of digital literacy among future professionals.

The seminar was held in a free-form discussion format, allowing each participant to participate. For the students’ convenience, consistent interpretation was provided, making the discussion accessible to everyone, regardless of their English proficiency level.

The meeting became a significant element of KAFU’s international cooperation and provided students with the opportunity to view education through the eyes of an American specialist with many years of practical experience.

Department of Pedagogy and Psychology