Taking an (Inter)cultural View of Students with Disabilities to Promote Inclusive Practices Within the TESOL Field

Abstract

Considering the TESOL field's global presence, much more can be done to prepare TESOL practitioners to teach inclusively, particularly with regard for students with disabilities, and in line with international policy. This chapter begins by conceptualizing disability and inclusive education before providing an overview of concerns related to TESOL teacher training for inclusive practices. Complicating cognitive and affective factors commonly experienced by students with specific learning difficulties (SpLDs) are briefly outlined. The author then advocates for adopting a social justice definition of culture to be adopted within the field and provides three sets of discussion/reflection questions to help TESOL practitioners connect their understanding of existing models of cultural competence and language acquisition with an understanding of how students with disabilities may experience language learning. The chapter concludes by contemplating some impending challenges and potential solutions for securing inclusive education as a human right within and across the field.