Zubarzhad Jalilova was born in 1998 in the village of Ottuk in the Naryn district of the Naryn region. "My father named me that. He always read a lot and wanted to give an unusual name to his newborn daughter, one that sounded similar to the name of my elder sister. If you look it up on the internet, this name is of Arabic origin and means 'emerald'.
Now I live in the city of Balykchy. I received my education at Bishkek State University in the Faculty of European Civilization, majoring in 'Philological Education' (English language), and graduated successfully in 2020. My profession is an English teacher," she says.
According to Jalilova, she has been interested in the English language since childhood, participated in Olympiads, and achieved success. "After finishing school, my love for the English language led me to the teaching profession. Additionally, my grandfather supported my study of English since childhood: when he came to the city, he would bring me dictionaries and CDs. I also think that the professionalism and creative approach of my school teachers influenced my interest. Since September 2020, I have been working as an English teacher at secondary school No. 6 in Balykchy. Although I am a novice teacher, I quickly got involved in the school's social and educational activities and participated in several projects. I actively participate in city and republican seminars, training sessions, forums, and educational projects, which allows me to gain experience. My goal in the lesson is to make the student speak and use the language in real life. Therefore, I most often apply the communicative method. Students work in pairs or groups, participate in role plays, dialogues, and discussions, which allows them to express their thoughts freely," the educator shares.
Zubarzhad uses methods for developing critical thinking, project-based, and problem-based learning. Students create presentations, conduct research, and engage in creative work, which develops not only language skills but also leadership qualities and teamwork abilities. I believe that a modern lesson is impossible without digital technologies, so I actively use interactive boards, online platforms, and multimedia materials. For me, the main thing is to make the lesson interesting, lively, and inspiring for the students. I strive to create an environment where every student can freely express their opinion without fear of making mistakes, and to make each lesson memorable for the children.
Interesting situations often arise, especially during role plays or free communication, when students show imagination and create engaging moments. Although I started my career five years ago, thanks to the support of the school administration and colleagues, I have achieved professional and social success. In 2024, I participated in the republican competition 'Teacher of the Year,' winning in the city and regional rounds and receiving a ticket to the republican stage. Out of 128 teachers, I was among the 25 finalists and was awarded a badge and diploma of 'Excellence in Education of the Kyrgyz Republic' and 'Teacher of the Year' from the Ministry of Education and Science. Additionally, I received the nomination 'Best of the Year - 2022,' a jubilee medal for the 85th anniversary of the Jogorku Kenesh of the KR, as well as letters of appreciation from the Balykchy city administration and the education department. These awards became possible thanks to the support of my family and colleagues, as preparing for the 'Teacher of the Year' competition requires a lot of work. The support of both the older and younger generations was both an honor and a great responsibility for me.
The achievements of my students are my greatest reward. They take prize-winning places in city Olympiads. In the 2021-2022 academic year, my student Aziz Elebesov took III place in the city Olympiad. This academic year, my student Toktoeva Azhara took 2nd place in the city Olympiad. Azhara is a very goal-oriented student; she sets goals and achieves them. Soon she will participate in the regional Olympiad," she reported.
Additionally, students from the school have become winners of the FLEX program and are currently studying in the United States. "In my free time, I try to develop myself, participate in training sessions, and engage in community life. In the future, I plan to continue to enhance my professional level, master modern teaching methods, and work as a trainer for teachers, sharing experiences and contributing to the development of the educational environment together with my colleagues," she said.
