Firstly, I would restate some of my previous comments on this site. The Kazakh people are wonderful and it is a delight to teach their fine young people who will always greet you with a smile and a wave.

If you are considering working with NIS, the education allowance will not come close to covering the fees of the international schools. If you are intending working for one of the better International schools such as Haileybury, I suspect that they offer free places for your children but I do not know that for fact.

One thing that you should be aware of if you are working with children in Kazakhstan is that it is the law in kazakhstan that you will need to undergo a medical examination. This will include:

Fluoroscopy (medical X-ray Imaging).
Rectal Swab.
Gynaecological examination for Women.

My wife and two sons remain in England.

Post a Reply

00abuse

Choosing an expat health insurance provider is an important decision. Get a quote from our trusted expat health insurance partner, CIGNA. With Cigna Global Health Options, you can create an international health insurance plan that's perfectly tailored for the needs of you and your family.

Learn More Get a Quote

Eeeek!

Ok, well we're two teachers, hoping to find a school that will place both of us together. Once we cross that hurdle, then need to ask if our children can be with us. If not, how much are we looking at for an international school? And are there many schools about? Is it very hard to get your child accepted?

Thanks so much for the info, Biologyman!

Post a Reply

00abuse

There are few international schools outside of Almaty and Astana, though I think there are a couple in Atyrau (Presumably linked to the expat community working in oil and gas).

Post a Reply

00abuse

Ok, so we'd have to be posted close to those cities.

Do any teachers you work with have their own child at the NIS?

Post a Reply

00abuse

Where I am, there are a number of teachers with children. In every case, their families stay in their home country. There was one colleague who was talking about his daughter coming over for weeks or months as it would be an experience for her and the students would benefit from mingling with a native speaker. It never happened. I could be wrong, but I think the school was not open to the possibility. Bringing your children and placing them in a Russian/Kazakh language school would certainly submerge them in the language, but you should be aware that the curriculum and teaching styles are starkly different, with a big emphasis on terminology and facts. There is not the development of transferable skills. Depending on the age of your children, these may already be advanced and they might gain from the cultural experience but you may also have to consider their reintegration into a western education system.

Post a Reply

00abuse

Thanks so much, very interesting. I'm wondering how easily the Russian/Kazak schools would accept foreign children in the first place. Busy researching how much they'd cost, too. It would certainly be an interesting submersion!

I was toying with the idea of doing that for the cultural experience, but perhaps having them follow some sort of English language course in a sort of "homeschooling" idea to keep them up to date.

Post a Reply

00abuse

The QSI school in Atyrau costs over $42k per year and you have to pay for food and stationery on top of that!!

Post a Reply

00abuse

Crazy...
But I meant State (Public) schools, not private. Can't find any list online. Perhaps I shouldn't search in English :)

Post a Reply

00abuse

Most of the expats home - school their children.

Our working hours are 8 to 5. (teaching)

Post a Reply

00abuse

Ok, good to know, thank you!

So in other words, one spouse works and the other homeschools? Or do they hire a tutor?

Post a Reply

00abuse

Thanks Jannes :)
Does one spouse then stay home while the other works?
Or do they hire a tutor?

Post a Reply

00abuse