INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL «GLOBAL SCIENCE AND INNOVATIONS 2023: CENTRAL ASIA» ASTANA, KAZAKHSTAN, APRIL 2023 80 The philosophy of inquiry based learning finds its antecedents in constructivist learning
theories, such as the work of Piaget, Dewey, Vygotsky, and Freire among others, and can be
considered a constructivist philosophy. Generating information and making meaning of it based
on personal or societal experience is referred to as constructivism. Dewey's experiential learning
pedagogy (that is, learning through experiences) comprises the learner actively participating in
personal or authentic experiences to make meaning from it. Inquiry can be conducted through
experiential learning because inquiry values the same concepts, which include engaging with the
content/material in questioning, as well as investigating and collaborating to make meaning.
Vygotsky approached constructivism as learning from an experience that is influenced by society
and the facilitator. The meaning constructed from an experience can be concluded as an individual
or within a group.
The results showed that inquiry-based learning has several benefits in teaching English to
senior school students in Kazakhstan. Teachers identified that inquiry-based learning enhances
students' language proficiency, critical thinking skills, and student engagement. Students who
participated in inquiry-based learning showed higher motivation levels and demonstrated a deeper
understanding of the language. Teachers also noted that inquiry-based learning allowed for more
creativity and flexibility in their lessons and provided a more student-centered approach to
learning.
The inquiry learning examples below are not only suitable for elementary students, but also
secondary students. They are also scalable to different grades and can be tweaked to suit the
specific needs of your class. Moreover, they include a broad, cross-curricular approach. Here are
some examples of how inquiry-based learning can be used in teaching English to school students
in Kazakhstan:
Historical Novel Inquiry. Using a historical approach to inquiry-based learning is a fun
way to dive into the past and make connections. It provides students with a way to view the past
through literature and learn about people and events that help them make sense of the world.
Basing an inquiry on a historical novel is a fun way to examine history while asking questions
about place, significance, and impact.
The Problem with Pollution. Pollution and topics like environmentalism and climate
change are very popular. These topics get students feeling creative and excited about making a
real difference. There are some different paths an inquiry like this could take. For instance, you
could focus on one particular kind of pollution or let students explore the type of pollution that
interests them. Furthermore, there are plenty of innovative ways students can share their findings;
through pamphlets and posters, or through community initiatives like fundraisers, art installations,
or partnerships with local businesses.
Redesigning Cities of the Future . In these kinds of inquiry learning examples, students
explore the problems that city planners and engineers face. For example, obstacles such as a lack
of affordable housing, transportation, and utilizing open spaces effectively. Students also get to
explore what elements make up a neighbourhood or community. Furthermore, they get the
opportunity to listen to and understand the perspectives of members of the community, or long-
time residents of an area help to paint a picture of the history behind a particular place.
Mindfulness Inquiry. Mindfulness is a meditative technique where your mind is fully
attentive of what’s happening and what you’re doing. Many elements of mindfulness arise during
inquiry-based learning, such as observation, acceptance, awareness, and process. Students who are
aware of their surroundings, mindful of their processes, and accepting of themselves at their
current stage tend to reap more benefits from inquiry-based learning as opposed to students who
aren’t engaged in the process of inquiry.