A1 Journal article (refereed)
Diversity in CLIL as experienced by Finnish CLIL teachers and students : matters of equality and equity (2023)
Nikula, T., Skinnari, K., & Mård-Miettinen, K. (2023). Diversity in CLIL as experienced by Finnish CLIL teachers and students : matters of equality and equity. International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 26(9), 1066-1079. https://doi.org/10.1080/13670050.2022.2028125
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Nikula, Tarja; Skinnari, Kristiina; Mård-Miettinen, Karita
Journal or series: International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism
ISSN: 1367-0050
eISSN: 1747-7522
Publication year: 2023
Publication date: 28/01/2022
Volume: 26
Issue number: 9
Pages range: 1066-1079
Publisher: Routledge
Publication country: United Kingdom
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13670050.2022.2028125
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/79593
Abstract
This article focuses on how Finnish CLIL teachers and students orient to and experience diversity in CLIL. The data consist of teacher and student interviews that were analysed using qualitative content analysis to identify recurrent themes with regard to diversity. The findings indicate that the theme of equality in the sense of ‘the same for all’ in both teaching, assessing and homework was readily brought up by both groups, reflecting the ethos of equality prevalent in Finnish education. Equity, however, was not similarly highlighted even though it is a guiding principle alongside equality in the Finnish Core Curriculum for Basic Education. Teachers were found reluctant to topicalise diversity, at least in the form of explicit differentiation. This applied especially to academic skills, with students’ different linguistic skills more readily addressed. Both teacher and student interviews construct CLIL students as high-achievers in comparison to peers in regular classrooms. The students, however, also criticised being treated as a homogenous group and expressed wishes for personalised support. In sum, the findings show tensions between maintaining equality and securing equity in that adherence to the same type of education for all may render invisible the varying competences, ways of learning and needs for support.
Keywords: content and language integrated learning; school children; diversity; equality (values); individualisation (education)
Free keywords: CLIL in Finland; learner diversity; equality in education; equity in education
Contributing organizations
Related projects
- CLIL for All: Attention to Diversity in Bilingual Education
- Nikula-Jäntti, Tarja
- European Commission
Ministry reporting: Yes
VIRTA submission year: 2022
JUFO rating: 2