Strategies in the EFL Classroom: Teaching Pupils with Disabilities. Literature review

Abstract

The aim of this literature review is to give an overview of the strategies and adjustments used in the EFL and ESL learning environment to provide support for students with disabilities. Previous studies have determined that English language teachers want more information on how to help and support their students with disabilities. In order to gain insight into possible adjustments for creating a more inclusive EFL learning environment, 19 sources are explored in this review. These sources either address nonphysical disabilities, physical disabilities or both with the scope set to the period of 2015-2024. The studies show that various approaches have been implemented to support students with disabilities, with some methods overlapping across different disabilities. These approaches are discussed in relation to the EFL learning environment and analysed in order to see how practical or realistic they are for implementation in the Swedish EFL classroom. Some adjustments are considered to be more realistic and suitable compared to others. It is concluded that further research is needed, especially concerning research setting and the sample size of participants.