National and Foreign Language Policy in Secondary Education in Uzbekistan

The present paper investigates the national and foreign language education policy in the sphere of secondary education in Uzbekistan. The aim of the study is to analyze the major language legislations and reforms which have developed the current foreign language (mainly English) education in secondary schools and investigate people’s attitudes towards this policy. In addition, the study shed light on challenges faced by teachers, students and parents in the current foreign language education system in Uzbekistan. By basing on the research questions, a combination of qualitative (semi-structured interview) and quantitative (questionnaire) instruments was employed for data collection in the research. According to the findings of the study, there have been major improvements in the national and foreign language education policy of Uzbekistan over the period, due to governmental reforms and efforts directed at state language management as well as enhancement of foreign language education. The current foreign language education policy of the state is positively perceived by the grassroots, as it has had profound influence on the quality of foreign language education system in formal schooling. The challenges discussed in the study exist in the foreign language education system of upper grades, due to the fact that they are studying in the previous program. Upper secondary education is under reform now on its way to choose an optimal policy, which can work effectively in practice.