Theoretical and practical principles about the inclusive education of pupils with mild intellectual disabilities in the foreign language classroom

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to provide a theoretical and practical framework focused on students with intellectual disability who learn a foreign language with the purpose of suggesting directions to language teachers to achieve a quality and fair inclusive education. To this end, we have conducted an exhaustive analysis of current research and methodological proposals. Furthermore, we highlight the fact that language learning helps improve the students’ academic achievements while fostering sociocultural inclusion. The literature reviewed includes case studies and methodological proposals. The results reveal that the teaching materials used with these students are not suitable for their learning styles. However, research conducted in bilingual contexts produces quite remarkable results. Thus, some children with intellectual disability demonstrate extraordinary linguistic abilities. Likewise, the Canadian context provides stimulating data, due to the performance of a female teacher under the generative inclusion principles and the practice of a methodology based on the Universal Design for Learning (UDL).