From 27 to 30 October 2026, METU University hosted English Week 2026, organised by the Department of Social Sciences and Humanities and World Languages. The programme brought together students from different fields of study and featured presentations, debates, intellectual games, video projects, thematic meetings and creative performances. The main objective of the week was to provide students with opportunities to use English in practice. They shared their experiences, discussed current issues, presented their professional interests and worked on collaborative projects. The variety of formats enabled participants to demonstrate their abilities as speakers, discussion partners, content creators and team members. The activities were prepared and conducted with the participation of the department’s teaching staff: Kuralai Ongarovna Aitkulova, Anyanwu Chukwuemeka Prince, Eleanya Nnanna Samuel, Dina Talgatkyzy Beisegul, Anar Sisenbayevna Sisenbayeva, Lyailya Madibekovna Makhazhanova and Sholpan Zhuniskhankyzy Torebek. The cultural and educational dimension of the programme was represented by the “Language Fact” round-table discussion conducted by Kuralai Ongarovna Aitkulova. Students explored interesting facts about languages, watched videos about polyglots and discussed the importance of learning foreign languages. References to the works of William Shakespeare, Alexander Pushkin and Abai Kunanbayuly connected language practice with literature and cultural heritage. Contemporary communication was explored during the event “The Impact of Social Media on Real-Life Communication,” conducted by Sholpan Zhuniskhankyzy Torebek. Participants discussed how the digital environment is transforming everyday interaction, what opportunities social media provides and why maintaining a culture of direct communication remains important. The topic enabled students to connect English-language practice with their personal experiences. On 28 October, lecturer Dina Talgatkyzy Beisegul conducted an event entitled “The Impact of Social Media on Human Life.” Students examined the positive and negative effects of social media in English and communicated their ideas through dramatised scenes and creative performances. The programme included interactive games, educational tasks and visual materials prepared with the use of artificial intelligence technologies. The event contributed to the development of students’ linguistic and communication skills, critical thinking and responsible attitudes towards the use of social media. Anar Sisenbayevna Sisenbayeva and Lyailya Madibekovna Makhazhanova organised the interactive quiz “Intellectual Games,” which focused on video games, mobile applications, board games and sports. Its team-based format combined language tasks with intellectual competition. Students practised thematic vocabulary, developed their listening comprehension and discussed their answers in English. On 29 October, a meeting entitled “Student Life” was held with the Director of the university’s Department of International Cooperation. The discussion focused on student initiatives, academic mobility, international educational programmes and the importance of English for participation in these opportunities. Students shared ideas on how to make university life more meaningful, strengthen mutual support and transform their proposals into collaborative projects. At an event conducted by Eleanya Nnanna Samuel, participants delivered presentations on the opportunities and potential risks of artificial intelligence, the influence of social media, useful inventions, future careers and the importance of learning English. The presentations were complemented by role-plays and video interviews with teachers and students on the topics “Friendship” and “My University - METU in 2030.” The combination of prepared presentations and interactive dialogue enabled students to use English to exchange opinions and express themselves creatively.

Throughout the week, students also worked on video presentations entitled “A Day in the Life of a METU Student” and “Challenges of University Life.” Through their own stories, they addressed academic responsibilities, time management, communication and everyday challenges. Producing the videos required collaborative work on content, scriptwriting, spoken English and visual presentation. During the debates, participants compared online and face-to-face learning and discussed the advantages of living at home and in student accommodation. They were required to construct arguments, listen to opposing viewpoints and respond to counterarguments. These activities provided practical experience in public speaking, attentive listening and respectful discussion. The presentation topics covered Kazakhstan, METU University, the role of English in different professional fields and the future of education. In “My University in 2036,” students presented their vision for the future development of the university environment. The presentations reflected the issues that matter to young people and demonstrated how language education relates to their academic and professional plans. The concluding event on 30 October, prepared with the participation of English language teacher Anyanwu Chukwuemeka Prince, brought together student presentations, debates and creative video projects. Participants presented the results of their work and demonstrated their readiness to address an audience, substantiate their opinions and support one another. The practical outcomes of English Week 2026 included student-produced videos and presentations, experience in teamwork and opportunities to communicate in English through a variety of formats. Participants engaged in both prepared presentations and spontaneous dialogue, applying the vocabulary they had learned to familiar real-life situations and current issues.

English Week reflects the strategic priorities of the founder and leadership of the International Engineering and Technology University, which focus on improving the quality of education, strengthening language training and developing international cooperation. Particular importance is attached to English proficiency as an essential condition for students’ participation in academic mobility programmes, international educational projects and professional collaboration. The week’s activities contributed to the practical implementation of these priorities by creating opportunities for students to develop their linguistic, communication, digital and teamwork skills. The department expresses its gratitude to the teaching staff for preparing and conducting the activities and to the students for their initiative, creativity and active participation. English Week demonstrated the value of regular speaking practice, collaborative projects and the open exchange of ideas within the university community.