Kazakhstan (KZ)
Kazakhstan is the world's ninth-largest country by area and the largest landlocked nation — a vast Central Asian republic stretching from the Caspian Sea to the Altai Mountains, encompassing endless steppes, dramatic canyons, and the remnants of the ancient Silk Road.
Learning the Language in Kazakhstan
Courses, certifications, funding, and online resources to reach fluency.
Kazakhstan has two official/state languages: Kazakh (Qazaq tili) is the state language under the constitution, and Russian has the status of a language of interethnic communication, still widely used in government, business, and urban daily life. Russian is generally sufficient for day-to-day life in Almaty and Astana. The government's language policy strongly promotes Kazakh — its use is expanding in government services, signage, and schools. Expats who learn even basic Kazakh earn significant goodwill from locals. Kazakhstan is transitioning from Cyrillic to a Latin-based Kazakh script by 2031.
Kazakh State Language Courses for Residents
Foreign nationals with a valid residence permit (ВНЖ) or work permit in Kazakhstan. Also open to Kazakhstani citizens who wish to improve their Kazakh proficiency. Оралман (ethnic Kazakh returnees) have priority access.
Free — state-funded by the Ministry of Culture and Information
3–6 months (approximately 120 academic hours). Beginner and intermediate levels available. Classes 2–3 times per week.
Basic communicative competence in Kazakh (A1–A2 CEFR level). Certificate of course completion issued by the language centre. Does not constitute an official KAZTES language exam certificate.
Apply at the regional language centre (Тіл орталығы / Языковой центр) under your district akimat (city administration). Bring your passport, IIN, and residence permit. Courses fill up — register early. In Almaty: Almaty Language Centre, 110 Abay Avenue. In Astana: contact the city akimat language department.
Ministry of Education Free Language Programmes
The Kazakhstani government operates free Kazakh and Russian language programmes through state language centres and public cultural centres. These are targeted at permanent residents, oralmans, and employees in state-adjacent sectors where language skills are increasingly required. Online learning resources are available via the government platform kazakhsha.kz.
Permanent residents and long-term temporary residents in Kazakhstan. Employees of state or quasi-state organisations (Samruk-Kazyna subsidiaries, state banks) may be required to attend.
Free
Contact your nearest state language centre (Мемлекеттік тіл орталығы). Apply online at tilalemi.kz. Availability varies by city — Almaty and Astana have the most options. Smaller cities have limited capacity.
Language Levels — What Each Means
Can greet, introduce yourself and handle very basic transactions. Kazakh: Salam, Rakhmet, basic numbers. Russian: first marketplace survival phrases.
Required for: Absolute daily basics; arriving with zero language.
Can handle simple market, café and shop transactions. Can read signs. Can manage simple service interactions in Russian.
Required for: Day-to-day social interactions and basic shopping independence.
Can communicate in most daily situations — discussing work topics, explaining health issues to a doctor, understanding government office staff, navigating ЦОН (service centre) appointments.
Required for: Working in a mixed Kazakhstani workplace, accessing state services, managing apartment issues with a Kazakh-speaking landlord
Can participate in meetings, negotiate contracts, read legal/government documents with some effort, and communicate comfortably in social situations.
Required for: Management roles in Kazakhstani companies, government-adjacent employment, some professional licence requirements
Advanced fluency in Russian or Kazakh. Can handle courts, complex government documents, academic contexts.
Required for: Advocacy (Kazakhstani courts), senior civil service positions, Kazakh-language teaching.
Mastery. Near-native proficiency in Russian or Kazakh in all four skills.
Required for: Translation, interpretation and academic publishing in Russian or Kazakh.
Courses & Community Learning
Almaty Language Exchange Club
FreeInformal weekly meetups of English, Kazakh, and Russian speakers for language exchange. Very welcoming to new arrivals. Posted regularly in the Almaty Expats Facebook group.
iTalki — Kazakh and Russian Tutors
$5–30 per session depending on tutorOnline platform connecting students with professional and community Kazakh and Russian tutors. Many affordable Kazakh native speakers offer lessons. Ideal for speaking practice.
italki.com ↗Language Exchange Meetups (Astana)
FreeRegular language exchange events at cafés and community spaces in Astana, especially around the AIFC area. Check InterNations Astana and Eventbrite for upcoming events.
Hash House Harriers Almaty
₸1,000–3,000 per run eventRunning club with strong social element — excellent for meeting locals and learning informal Russian/Kazakh phrases in a relaxed environment.
hhhalmaty.com ↗Official Certifications
| Certificate | Provider | Levels | When Needed | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KAZTES (Kazakhstan Language Testing) | Language Testing Centre of Kazakhstan (Тілдерді тестілеу орталығы) | A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 | Required for certain government positions, citizenship applications, and some regulated professional licences in Kazakhstan | ₸5,000–10,000 per exam level |
| TORFL (Test of Russian as a Foreign Language) | Russian Ministry of Education — testing centres in Almaty | Elementary, Basic, B1, B2, C1, C2 | For Russian-medium university admissions in Kazakhstan and CIS countries; recognised internationally | $50–100 per level |
Online Resources
Kazakhsha.kz
FreeGovernment-supported Kazakh language learning platform with audio, video, and exercises. Available in English, Russian, and other languages.
kazakhsha.kz ↗Duolingo — Russian
FreePopular gamified language learning app. Russian course is well-developed. Kazakh is not available on Duolingo. Best for building vocabulary and basic grammar.
duolingo.com ↗Ling App — Kazakh
PaidThe Ling app offers a Kazakh course with vocabulary, phrases and basic grammar. One of the few structured mobile apps for Kazakh learners. Note: Pimsleur does not offer Kazakh as of 2026. Paid subscription required.
Language Transfer — Russian
FreeFree audio course for absolute beginners. Highly effective for building basic conversational Russian. No textbook required.
languagetransfer.org ↗Anki Flashcards
FreeSpaced repetition flashcard system with community Kazakh and Russian decks. Best for vocabulary building. Available on desktop and mobile.
apps.ankiweb.net ↗Funding Your Language Courses
No formal government funding is available for foreign nationals to study Kazakh or Russian privately. Free state language courses are available as described above. Some large employers (Tengizchevroil, KazMunayGas subsidiaries, international banks) include language training as part of expat relocation packages — negotiate this before accepting a contract. The Qandas programme (for ethnic Kazakh returnees) includes funded Kazakh language training as part of repatriation support.
Practical Tips
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Learn at least basic Russian — it opens doors in every sector and earns respect. Even 200 words makes daily life significantly easier.
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"Rakhmet" (Kazakh for thank you) and "Salam" (hello) are warmly received by locals — learn these on day one.
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Install the Duolingo Russian course for consistent daily practice during your commute.
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Kazakh is in transition from Cyrillic to Latin script — learn Cyrillic first as it is still dominant.
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Kazakhs are extremely enthusiastic when foreigners attempt any Kazakh — disproportionate goodwill for minimal effort.
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Street and institution names often exist in both Kazakh and Russian — learn both versions for the places you visit frequently.
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The Almaty Expats Facebook group has a regularly updated list of recommended language tutors from first-hand community experience.
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Russian language skills acquired in Kazakhstan are directly applicable in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, and other CIS countries — a valuable long-term investment.
Language Learning
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