Should a special education group take foreign language with "regular" students?

Question

What are the pros and cons to it?

Answer 1

I am a Spanish teacher at the HS level, so I feel confident in answering this question. I have also taught collaborative MS English. I have mixed feelings about mainstreaming special education students into a foreign language classroom. A VERY sticky subject.

Personally, I feel everyone should be given an equal chance in ideal circumstances, but the fact is, we do not have ideal circumstances.

This past semester, I had 4 special education (SE) students in one class of 30 (26 with no identified disability and 4 with an identified disability.) Now, of the 4 that had an identified disability, one's disability was in math, which many would argue does not have a whole lot of relation to language acquisition. But in a strange sort of way, math DOES have a relationship with language acquisition, because it involves recognizing patterns & relationships, which is a big part of learning a second language.

Another required that tests/quizzes be read aloud to him - but I had a class of 30 students - how was I to read the tests/quizzes (in Spanish) to him aloud? (I used ESL tutors, but I didn't figure this out until about a month into school.)

Each student had his own IEP with his own accomodations, which, by law (IDEA), I was required to follow. I had to modify my tests (take away an answer so there were only three choices, rather than 4 on a multiple choice), modify projects/scoring guides, etc. for these four students in accordance with their IEPs.

In another class, I had another SE student who was severely dyslexic. WOW! that was quite a challenge - difficult in English - but put that into a foreign language!! But I had to accomodate for that as well - without other students "catching on."

Of these 5 SE students, I can honestly say that only ONE was truly "successful" and learned a decent amount of Spanish this past semester. That was the dyslexic student. He was motivated but is also identified as gifted. The other 4, who have true learning disabilities, struggled the entire semester. One failed; he felt defeated before he even started and didn't really try much. The other three passed: one barely -- because of extra credit; one because he had a lot of extra tutoring (he plays basketball and grades are very important); one because he worked his tail off and strives to overcome the disadvantages his disabilities present him with.

In collaborative settings, mainstreaming is wonderful, when the SE teacher works with the regular education teacher and doesn't only sit in the back of the classroom grading papers. The colloborative SE teacher needs to be an active and integral part of the teaching and learning process.

Unfortunately, there are not enough SE teachers and not enough $$ to have collaborative teacher in foreign language classrooms. Generally, the SE students that do pass foreign language, are "passed" so the foreign language teacher doesn't have to account for not having followed the IEP and not having made the appropriate accomodations. In a class of 28-33 students, unless the SE student is already motivated and has the personal tools and know-how (and usually a parent who is involved), I do not recommend mainstreaming SE students into a regular Foreign Language classroom.

Answer 2

As long as the child(ren) are not disruptive to the class from a behvioral standpoint, there is not reason "special education" students should not be placed with "regular" students. It is also the law that disabled students be placed in the "least restricitve enviorment. With the higher rates of non-english speaking people in the United States all students will need to become more aware of foreign language to be successful in adult life.

If the child has learning difficulties, this could make a forgein language difficult to learn. English, however, is the hardest language because it has very few consistent rules. Foreign languages may be easier for a child with learning difficulties, so do not assume because reading or English is a problem, so will a forgein language. Just be prepared to provide support if needed.

Answer 3

I am a high school special education teacher. Yes, by law all students are afforded the same free public education. Even as a SE teacher I agree that there are SE students whose education wouldn't benefit from being in a foreign language class. These students would receive more benefit from being taught one on one in a subject that is more diverse such as reading.

However, there are a great number of SE students on IEP's for a variety of reasons that excell in all of their classes. Their disability may be a physical and not a learning disability or a mental disability.

I do not "shadow" my students in a class. I teach a specific subject for 6 hours to students who are all on IEP's. I do work closely with regular ed teachers and parents to write a plan that best benefits the students and their education.

Answer 4

Yes they should...However, careful consideration should be given to the following:
1. Disability (is it language related) it is tough to master another language when you haven't mastered your own.
2. Absenteeism...some students come with behavioral stigmas that prevent them from having consistent attendance.
3. Support...will the class be supported by a teacher (if needed).
4. What is the point? Will the student(s) need this for a college or job?

So...Yes they should be able to take a foriegn language class with regular students. BUT...many factors should be considered so they aren't set up for failure.

Answer 5

This idea is called "inclusion", meaning that the special ed kids aren't excluded from the regular classroom. Typically, in most schools, sped kids are included in specials, which the foreigh language classes fall in to most often.

I think that it exposes them to people they will meet in the real world. Also, that teacher will have to make adjustments for their IEPs, so I really don't see a con to this other than more work for the teacher.

Answer 6

I think special education students should be mainstreamed in to such courses - as to having the take such course in a school-in-school setting that doesn't make much sense to me.

Good Luck!!!

Answer 7

If the special ed student is motivated to take the class, I don't see why he or she shouldn't.

Answer 8

I don't see why U can't,Unless you are mentally challenged!!!!!