AILA Review· 2026Q1
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in English as a subject in basic education (ESBE) in ASEAN
- 1citations
- Q1SCImago
- 2026year
Short summary
DEI in ASEAN basic education English shows progress but faces significant challenges, particularly in balancing national languages with indigenous languages and addressing LGBTQIA+ inclusion.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Key points
- DEI in ASEAN ESBE has seen some progress, but significant challenges remain.
- Curriculum balancing between national and indigenous languages threatens linguistic diversity.
- Inclusion of disabled students has improved, but LGBTQIA+ inclusion is largely neglected.
- English classrooms offer potential for dialogue on inclusive practices, but transformative pedagogy for LGBTQIA+ inclusion is elusive.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
Abstract This study employs a multiple case study design to examine diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in English as a subject in basic education (ESBE) in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The study shows that DEI in ESBE in ASEAN has shown some progress, and yet challenges abound. ASEAN nations struggle for balanced basic education curricula, with all ASEAN nations committing to teaching national languages and English while leaving a limited portion of the curriculum to indigenous languages, further placing diversity in jeopardy when it comes to the teaching of indigenous languages and empowerment of indigenous populations. Findings from this study also demonstrate that while some progress has been made when it comes to the inclusion of disabled students, a great majority of ASEAN member states remains apathetic about the rights of individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, and asexual/aromantic (LGBTQIA+). In some contexts, the English classroom may serve as an effective site for opening up dialogue that challenges harmful labelling processes against inclusive practices, but how transformative pedagogical approaches may be employed to ensure inclusion for the LGBTQIA+ community in the ASEAN context remains elusive.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. AILA Review, 2026 · DOI ↗
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Field: Linguistics and Language
Linguistics and LanguageSocial Sciences