Is inclusion and mainstreaming really the best option for multicultural classrooms? In my opinion, it can be, but it depends on the situation and the individual student. Again, I chose this topic because I learned a little bit about it in my Developmental Disabilities class, and it interested me, so I wanted to further research it.
Inclusion is education designed and offered to all people regardless of their physical, social, emotional, or intellectual characteristics; most often used to refer to education provided in mainstream classrooms. So what does that really mean? Well, it basically means that all students will be placed in mainstream classes, where the curriculum is directed towards students of average developmental and intellectual levels, regardless of their cultural or linguistic backgrounds. Students spend most of the day, if not all of it, in these mainstream classrooms, learning with their peers.
So, when is this a good idea rather than a bad idea? I think to find that answer you need to look closely at each individual circumstance and student. Obviously, if a student spoke virtually no English, this might not be a good idea. How could the student understand the teacher? How could they learn? How could they become social with their peers? In situations like this it may be better for them to learn in a bilingual classroom with their native language until they learn more English, and can succeed in a mainstream classroom.
But what about the student who is bilingual, but their English is not perfect and they may require a little extra help? Well, then in that case inclusion is most likely the best way to go. If they can understand most of what the teacher is saying, can socialize with their classmates, and learn despite the small language barriers, then I see absolutely no reason why they shouldn't be in a mainstream classroom.
In some cases the student may require so much personalized attention and help from the teacher that it may greatly take away from the other students ability to learn. In that case, inclusion may not be the best option. But, in cases where all they require is a little extra help and the teacher can still meet the needs of all other students as well, then it can only benefit everyone involved. The multicultural student will become more mainstreamed, and be just like every child. The other children in the class can also benefit from it, by learning about the students culture or language, and can learn to accept and understand people that are different from themselves.
Obviously this topic can be debated from either side. There are always going to be positives and negatives about it. But, when it comes down to it, the most important thing to keep in mind is which way will benefit the child the most, and get the best results for them.
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