Kyrgyz is Logic. Victoria Krinwald on How to Quickly Learn the State Language

Евгения Комарова • 09.01.2026, 10:57 • Society

Victoria Krinwald, being of German nationality, has been living in Kyrgyzstan for 17 years, where she teaches the Kyrgyz language using her unique methodology. She is currently studying at the Faculty of Kyrgyz Philology and is actively working on her educational program.

In a conversation with 24.kg, Victoria shared her secrets on how to quickly master the Kyrgyz language.
Photo 24.kg. Victoria Krinwald
— Victoria, tell us how you learned Kyrgyz yourself and why you decided to share your knowledge with others?

— My life began in Kazakhstan, where I attended a Kazakh school until the fifth grade. I had friends and neighbors around me who helped me quickly learn to speak Kazakh, which, as you know, is very similar to Kyrgyz.

When I was 10 years old, we moved to Kyrgyzstan. At first, there were certain difficulties; I mixed up the two languages, but over time I managed to adapt.

Learning English also came easily to me. At 17-18, I started teaching it to children, and after a while, I thought about tutoring in Kyrgyz. I posted an ad, and I got my first students. In the initial classes, we used school textbooks, completed standard homework assignments, and translated texts, and that’s how I gradually gained experience.

Now I am studying in the correspondence department of Kyrgyz Philology. My goal is not just to get a diploma but to delve deeper into the study of this language.

Kyrgyz is logic. Victoria Krinwald on how to quickly learn the state language

Photo Victoria Krinwald
— How does your methodology differ from the traditional approach?

— I try to draw parallels between the Russian and Kyrgyz languages, using accessible explanations for my students. I put myself in their shoes and think about how I would like to learn the language.

For example, in Russian, there is the preposition "без" (without), while in Kyrgyz, this meaning is conveyed through an ending, for instance, "сыз". If I want to say "tea without sugar," in Kyrgyz it would be "чай кантсыз".

I never thought I would create my own textbook, but ideas constantly came to me, and I took notes. Thus, my textbook emerged, which included tables of verbs, adjectives, and other useful materials. In my methodology, I strive to explain everything in simple language and use vivid examples so that students do not face difficulties, as any language is a kind of challenge.

For me, the Kyrgyz language is logic. It has clear structures and formulas that can be easily memorized. I teach students not just to memorize phrases but to develop logic so that in the future they can construct sentences independently. It seems to me that when you start learning a language with an understanding of its structure, it becomes much more interesting.

— Who do you find it more interesting to work with — children or adults?

— Many children come to me for help with their homework. This was especially relevant during the coronavirus pandemic. I remember how parents called and said that their children were getting only failing grades, which negatively affected their performance.

At first, I helped them with their assignments using ready-made templates, but soon I realized that this did not yield significant results.

Thus, the idea of creating a Telegram channel arose, where I began posting words, simple phrases, conducting quizzes and tests. And it was the adults who showed activity. I realized that they were learning on their own and then explaining the material to their children.

Working with adults is more interesting for me. They leave comments, share feedback about the classes, and ask questions, which encourages me to study the topic more deeply and generate new ideas. Adults are more motivated to learn the language; they understand why they need it.

Photo Victoria Krinwald in class
— Who are your students? Are there any medical professionals or educators among them, as they also need to know the state language?

— I have absolutely different people studying with me. Many come not because they are required to know the language for work, but because they realized that it is possible to learn it if you understand its structure and logic. There are those who have lived in Kyrgyzstan for 40-50 years and decided to master the language simply out of interest.

— What prevents people from starting to speak — fear, shyness, or something else?

— Everyone has their own reasons. Perhaps someone simply did not want to or had not thought about it before, or maybe they were indeed shy.

Sometimes you ask something from a seller in Kyrgyz, and they might laugh. This is not because of mistakes or an accent, but simply because it sounds unusual to Kyrgyz people. I have encountered such situations myself. For example, when I asked a driver to stop in Kyrgyz, he laughed, but then he always praises me for knowing the language.

So I can say one thing: there is no need to be shy; you need to practice more. Mistakes are normal; that’s how you learn foreign languages. And if someone laughed, just smile in response.

— How much time will it take to speak at least at a conversational level?

— Learning a language requires time, effort, and patience.

If a student attends classes three times a week for an hour, that is not enough. With this approach, it will take a year or longer to start speaking at a conversational level. But if a person additionally reads literature, watches movies, listens to music, and practices (for example, communicates at the market or on public transport) — the process will go faster.

I especially recommend listening to songs. I went through this myself and fell in love with Kyrgyz music. The Kyrgyz language in songs sounds different — very melodic.

Many of my students start noticing signs around the city, hearing familiar words after a month or two, and this leads them to a deeper study of the language. Of course, success depends on individual abilities and memory.

We have a conversation club for those who want to practice more. We help to overcome shyness and learn to speak.

I am not the only one conducting classes; there are several teachers in the team, including my sister, and they all work according to my methodology.

— You launched free Kyrgyz language courses. How is that project going?

— For a year, I conducted free courses; I had three groups, and I traveled to different districts of the city. I worked with pleasure, and there were not enough spots. I still have enthusiasm, but there are fewer opportunities now. Like any adult, I have many concerns, including family and daily life, which also require attention. Therefore, I paused the project, but I maintain a free Telegram channel where I try to share useful information.

— How to maintain interest in learning the language for a long time?

— It depends on the specific person's request. Perhaps for someone, it is enough to take two or three courses. The more engaging the classes are, the more motivation the student has not to skip lessons.

In fact, mastering the language is possible; Kyrgyz is logical and structured. This understanding keeps students in the courses.

For example, retirees come to classes for communication, combining the useful with the interesting. For them, classes are an opportunity to distract from everyday routine and spend time in the company of like-minded people.

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