Abstracts
Abstract
This article examines how pre-service teachers are prepared to teach linguistically and culturally diverse learners. Document analysis examined the current policy framework in Iceland and provided an insight into how the policy is guiding praxis in teacher education. The findings reveal contrasting ideologies in education policies and measures in Iceland, as well as a missing link from theory to didactics in teacher education regarding teaching in diverse classrooms. To ensure equity in education, developing teacher knowledge and perspectives about diversity is crucial, as well as providing teachers with solid pedagogical tools. These enable them to practice inclusive pedagogy in multicultural and multilingual school environments where neoliberal and neoconservative voices have gained influence.
Keywords:
- Inclusion,
- social justice,
- neo-liberalism,
- Neo-conservatism,
- teacher education,
- education policy,
- document analysis
Résumé
Cet article examine comment les enseignants en formation initiale peuvent enseigner à des élèves issus de milieux linguistiques et culturels diversifiés. Une analyse de documents a examiné le cadre politique actuel en Islande et a fourni un aperçu de la manière dont ces politiques orientent la praxis dans la formation des enseignants. Les résultats révèlent des idéologies contrastées dans les politiques et les mesures éducatives en Islande, ainsi qu’un lien manquant entre la théorie et la didactique dans la formation des enseignants en ce qui concerne l’enseignement dans des classes diversifiées. Afin d’assurer l’équité en éducation, il est essentiel de développer les connaissances et les perspectives des enseignants concernant la diversité, ainsi que de leur fournir des outils pédagogiques solides.
Mots-clés :
- inclusion,
- justice sociale,
- analyse de documents,
- politiques éducatives,
- formation des enseignants,
- néoconservatisme,
- néolibéralisme
Appendices
Bibliography
- Albury, N. (2014). Fearing the known: English and the linguistic ramifications of globalizing Iceland. Journal of Globalization Studies, 5(2), 105–122.
- Arnbjörnsdóttir, B. (2018). The policies and contexts that frame English education and use in Iceland. In B. Arnbjörnsdóttir & H. Ingvarsdóttir (Eds.), Language development across the life span: The impact of English on education and work in Iceland. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-67804-7_2
- Banks, J. A. (2016). Multicultural education: Characteristics and goals. In J. A. Banks & C. A. M. Banks (Eds.), Multicultural education: Issues and perspectives (9th ed., pp. 2–23). John Wiley & Sons.
- Benediktsson, A. I. (2023). Navigating the complexity of theory: Exploring Icelandic student teachers’ perspectives on supporting cultural and linguistic diversity in compulsory schooling. International Journal of Educational Research, 120, Article 102201. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2023.102201
- Biesta, G., Priestley, M., & Robinson, S. (2015). The role of beliefs in teacher agency. Teachers and Teaching, 21(6), 624–640. https://doi.org/10.1080/13540602.2015.1044325
- Black-Hawkins, K. (2017). Understanding inclusive pedagogy: Learning with and from teachers. In V. Plows & B. Whitburn (Eds.), Inclusive education: Making sense of everyday practice (pp. 13–28). Sense Publishers. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-6300-866-2_2
- Bowen, G. A. (2009). Document analysis as a qualitative research method. Qualitative Research Journal, 9(2), 27–40. https://doi.org/10.3316/QRJ0902027
- Byrd, C. M. (2016). Does culturally relevant teaching work? An examination from student perspectives. SAGE Open, 6(3). https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244016660744
- Daníelsdóttir, H. K., & Skogland, H. (2018). Staða grunnskólanemenda með íslensku sem annað tungumál [The status of compulsory school learners who learn Icelandic as an additional language]. Menntamálastofnun. https://mms.is/sites/mms.is/files/isat-nemendur-greining_feb_2018_-_15.02.2018.pdf
- Emilsson Peskova, R. (2021). School experience of plurilingual children: A multiple case study from Iceland [Doctoral dissertation, University of Iceland]. Opin vísindi. https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11815/2648
- Emilsson Peskova, R., Lindholm, A., Ahlholm, M., Vold, E. T., Gunnþórsdóttir, H., Slotte, A., & Busch, S. E. (2023). Second language and mother tongue education for immigrant children in Nordic educational policies: Search for a common Nordic dimension. Nordic Studies in Education, 43(2), 128–144. https://doi.org/10.23865/nse.v43.3982
- European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education. (2022). Agency position on inclusive education systems (2nd ed.). https://www.european-agency.org/sites/default/files/Agency-Position-Article-2022-EN_0.pdf
- Florian, L. (2021). The universal value of teacher education for inclusive education. In A. Köpfer, J. J. W. Powell, & R. Zahnd (Eds.), International handbook of inclusive education (pp. 89–106). Verlag Barbara Budrich.
- Goltsev, E., Olfert, H., & Putjata, G. (2022). Finding spaces for all languages. Teacher educators’ perspectives on multilingualism. Language and Education, 36(5), 437–450. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500782.2022.2085047
- Guðjohnsen, R. Þ., Haraldsson, H., Einarsdóttir, Ó. R., & Arason, U. G. (2023). Íslenska æskulýðsrannsóknin: Farsældarvísar: Vorönn 2023 [The Icelandic youth research: Indicators of well-being: Spring 2023]. Menntavísindastofnun Háskóla Íslands. https://menntavisindastofnun.hi.is/sites/menntavisindastofnun.hi.is/files/2023-09/IAE23_farsaeld_birt_0.pdf
- Guðjónsdóttir, H., Kristinsdóttir, J. V., Óskarsdóttir, G., & Lefever, S. (2025). Preparing pre- and in-service teachers in Iceland to work with multilingual classrooms. In A. Reath Warren, J. Iversen, & B. Straszer (Eds.), Teacher education for working in linguistically diverse classrooms: Nordic perspectives (pp. 77–97). Language Science Press.
- Gunnþórsdóttir, H., & Óskarsdóttir, E. (2025). Working with multilingual students in Iceland: Exploring educational experiences of newly graduated teachers. In A. Reath Warren, J. Iversen, & B. Straszer (Eds.), Teacher education for working in linguistically diverse classrooms: Nordic perspectives (pp. 31–53). Language Science Press.
- Háskóli Íslands. (n.d.). Íslenskustoð — Grunndiplóma [Icelandic support — undergraduate diploma]. https://hi.is/islenskustod_grunndiploma
- Imsen, G., Blossing, U., & Moos, L. (2017). Reshaping the Nordic education model in an era of efficiency. Changes in the comprehensive school project in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden since the millennium. Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research, 61(5), 568–583. https://doi.org/10.1080/00313831.2016.1172502
- Labuschagne, A. (2003). Qualitative research — Airy fairy or fundamental? The Qualitative Report, 8(1), 100–103. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2003.1901
- Lög um grunnskóla nr. 91 [Compulsory School Act No. 91] (2008). https://www.althingi.is/lagas/153b/2008091.html
- Lög um menntun, hæfni og ráðningu kennara og skólastjórnenda við leikskóla, grunnskóla og framhaldsskóla nr. 95 [Act on the Education, Competency and Recruitment of Teachers and Administrators of Preschools, Compulsory Schools and Upper Secondary Schools No. 95]. (2019). https://www.althingi.is/lagas/nuna/2019095.html
- Magnúsdóttir, B. R. (2013). „Að tryggja framboð og fjölbreytileika“: Nýfrjálshyggja í nýlegum stefnuskjölum um námsgagnagerð [“Ensuring supply and diversity”: Neoliberalism in recent policy documents on educational materials development]. Uppeldi og menntun, 22(2), 55–76.
- Mennta- og menningarmálaráðuneytið. (2020a). Drög að stefnu. Menntun barna og ungmenna með fjölbreyttan tungumála- og menningarbakgrunn [Draft of the policy on education of children and youth with diverse language and cultural background]. https://www.stjornarradid.is/library/01--Frettatengt---myndir-og-skrar/MRN/Drög%20að%20stefnu_menntun%20barna%20og%20ungmenna %20með%20fjölbreyttan%20tungumála-%20og%20menningarbakgrunn_260520.pdf
- Mennta- og menningarmálaráðuneytið. (2020b). Guidelines for the support of mother tongues and active plurilingualism in schools and afterschool programs. https://www.modurmal.com/guidelines-for-the-support-of-mother-tongues-and-active-plurilingualism-in-schools-and-afterschool-programs/
- Mennta- og menningarmálaráðuneytið. (2021). Aðalnámskrá grunnskóla (með breytingum frá september 2021) [National curriculum with amendments from September 2021]. https://www.stjornarradid.is/library/03-Verkefni/Menntamal/Namskrar/Adalsnamskra-grunnskola-3utg-19012023-cons.pdf (Original work published 2011)
- Merriam, S. B. (2009). Qualitative research: A guide to design and implementation (3rd ed.). Jossey-Bass.
- Móðurmál. (2025). Language map 2025 — The search for linguistic resources in Iceland. https://www.modurmal.com/language-map-2025-the-search-for-linguistic-resources-2025/
- OECD. (2019). OECD economic surveys: Iceland 2019. https://www.stjornarradid.is/lisalib/getfile.aspx?itemid=2596438b-d87b-11e9-944a-005056bc4d74
- Ólafsson, R. F. (2019). TALIS 2018: Starfshættir og viðhorf kennara og skólastjóra á unglingastigi grunnskóla. OECD. https://mms.is/sites/mms.is/files/vefutgafa_-_talis_2019.pdf
- Óskarsdóttir, E. (2017). Constructing support as inclusive practice: A self-study [Doctoral dissertation, University of Iceland]. Opin vísindi. https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11815/388
- Óskarsdóttir, E., Gísladóttir, K. R., & Guðjónsdóttir, H. (2019). Policies for inclusion in Iceland: Possibilities and challenges. In M. C. Beaton, D. B. Hirshberg, G. R. Maxwell, & J. Spratt (Eds.), Including the North: A comparative study of the policies on inclusion and equity in the Circumpolar North (pp. 57–69). University of Lapland.
- Pantić, N., & Florian, L. (2015). Developing teachers as agents of inclusion and social justice. Education Inquiry, 6(3), Article 27311. https://doi.org/10.3402/edui.v6.27311
- Putjata, G. (2018). Delivering multilingual schools — Emergence and development of language beliefs in immigrant teachers. Applied Linguistics Articles, 25(2), 53–69. https://doi.org/10.32612/uw.25449354.2018.2.pp.53-69
- Ragnarsdóttir, H. (2023). The role of teachers and leaders with immigrant backgrounds in implementing culturally responsive practices. In E. Keane, M. Heinz, & R. McDaid (Eds.), Diversifying the teaching profession: Dimensions, dilemmas and directions for the future (pp. 65–73). Routledge.
- Ragnarsdóttir, H., & Hama, S. R. (2018). Flóttabörn í íslenskum skólum: móttaka, skólastarf og samstarf við fjölskyldur [Refugee children in Icelandic schools: Reception, educational practices, and cooperation with families]. Glæður, 28, 57–66.
- Ragnarsdóttir, H., & Lefever, S. (2018). Introduction. In H. Ragnarsdóttir, & S. Lefever (Eds.), Icelandic studies on diversity and social justice in education (pp. 1–6). Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
- Reglugerð um hæfniramma með viðmiðum fyrir almenna og sérhæfða hæfni kennara og skólastjórnenda við leik-, grunn- og framhaldsskóla nr. 1355 [Regulation on a Competency Framework With Criteria for the General and Specialized Qualifications of Teachers and School Administrators at Preschool, Primary, and Secondary Schools No. 1355]. (2022). https://island.is/reglugerdir/nr/1355-2022
- Rodríguez-Valls, F., & Ponce, G. (2013). Classroom, the we space: Developing student-centered practices for second language learner (SLL) students. Education Policy Analysis Archives, 21(55), 2–17. https://doi.org/10.14507/epaa.v21n55.2013
- Sahlberg, P. (2023). Trends in global education reform since the 1990s: Looking for the right way. International Journal of Educational Development, 98, Article 102748. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2023.102748
- Schuelka, M. J., Johnstone, C. J., Thomas, G., & Artiles, A. J. (2019). Introduction: Scholarship for diversity and inclusion in education in the 21st century. In M. J. Schuelka, C. J. Johnstone, G. Thomas, & A. J. Artiles (Eds.), The SAGE handbook on inclusion and diversity (pp. 31–41). SAGE Publications.
- Shirazi, R., & Jaffe-Walter, R. (2021). Conditional hospitality and coercive concern: Countertopographies of Islamophobia in American and Danish schools. Comparative Education, 57(2), 206–226. https://doi.org/10.1080/03050068.2020.1812234
- Slee, R. (2010). Political economy, inclusive education and teacher education. In C. Forlin (Ed.), Teacher education for inclusion: Changing paradigms and innovative approaches (pp. 13–22). Routledge.
- Sleeter, C. E. (2015, February). Deepening social justice teaching. Journal of Language and Literacy Education. https://www.academia.edu/10983256/Deepening_Social_Justice_Teaching
- Smith, P., Warrican, S. J., & Kumi-Yeboah, A. (2016). Linguistic and cultural appropriations of an immigrant multilingual literacy teacher educator. Studying Teacher Education, 12(1), 88–112. https://doi.org/10.1080/17425964.2016.1143811
- Statistics Iceland. (2025, December). Hagtíðindi – mannfjöldi [Statistical series — population]. https://hagstofa.is/utgafur/frettasafn/mannfjoldi/mannfjoldi-eftir-bakgrunni-1-januar-2025/
- Tabrizi, S. (2014). Connections between neo-liberalism, neo-conservatism, and critical democracy in education. International Journal for Cross-Disciplinary Subjects in Education (IJCDSE), 4(1), 1922–1929. https://infonomics-society.org/wp-content/uploads/ijcdse/published-articles/special-issue-volume-4-2014/Connections-between-Neo-Liberalism.pdf
- Tran, A.-D. K., & Lefever, S. (2018). Icelandic-born students of immigrant background: How are they faring in compulsory school? In H. Ragnarsdóttir, & S. Lefever (Eds.), Icelandic studies on diversity and social justice in education (pp. 39–59). Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
- UNESCO. (2020). Global education monitoring report, 2020: Inclusion and education: All means all. Global monitoring report. https://en.unesco.org/gem-report/report/2020/inclusion

