Global Competitiveness Myths and Ideals: English Language Policy in Universities in Kazakhstan.

The article examines Kazakhstan's government policy of "trilingualism," which mandates proficiency in Kazakh, Russian, and English, focusing on the shift in universities from Russian and Kazakh to English as the language of instruction to enhance global competitiveness. Using qualitative methods including interviews and observations across four universities, the study found widespread recognition of English as a global lingua franca essential for academic and professional advancement, yet revealed significant challenges due to students' and faculty's limited English proficiency, especially outside urban centers. The research highlights tensions between adopting English for internationalization and preserving national identity, emphasizing that educational reforms should balance global competitiveness with cultural and linguistic heritage. It concludes that while English instruction is firmly established, policymakers must align reforms with Kazakhstan's socio-cultural context to support effective education without undermining national languages and identity.