Most ethnic minorities, including the ethnic Russians, use Russian as the language of communication from one ethnic group to the next as nearly everyone in the country is fluent in Russian. Uzbek is commonly spoken among ethnic Uzbeks and other groups speak other languages, including the Turkmen and Tajiks, but in small numbers. Nearly all these people use Russian as the language of communication between linguistic groups. English and other popular international languages are only taught in small, but growing numbers and it may be difficult to find fluent English, French, or German speakers in the country.
Religion
About three quarters of Kyrgyzstan's population is Muslim, while Russian Orthodox makes up another 20% of the population. Most of the ethnic Kyrgyzs and Uzbeks are Muslim, while most of the ethnic Russians are Russian Orthodox. Due to Soviet discouragement, the people of Kyrgyzstan are not extremely religious today.
Islam (the name of the religion, whose followers are called Muslims) is a monotheistic religion, whose holy book is called the Qur'an. The Qur'an is believed to be the word of God spoken through the prophet Muhammad from 609-632 CE (Common Era is preferred over AD (Anno Domini or "year of the Lord") since the Islamic world doesn't believe Jesus was the messiah). Islam believes Muhammad was the last prophet sent to earth by God, the last in a long line of prophets, which includes Moses, Abraham, and Jesus among others.
Muslims follow five pillars of their faith: testimony, prayer, alms-giving, fasting, and pilgrimage. These pillars, and other tenants of their faith, can give great structure to their lives as some foods, like pork, are forbidden and every Muslim is expected to pray five times a day. However, the level of participation in each of these pillars and to what degree Islam influences an individual's life varies from person to person and community to community. Generally speaking, Kyrgyzstan is fairly liberal in how they practice Islam.