Sustaining Inclusive, Equitable, and Accessible Language Education in a COVID-19 Endemic World

Abstract

In the last three years, major disruptions have affected our lives and to a certain extent influenced our perspectives and practices on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) in language education. I remember it was this time in 2020 when most countries worldwide started closing their borders and schools began shutting their doors to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus. It was also at this time in the same year when schools started adopting fully remote/online modes of teaching and assessment, where teachers had to transform their face-to-face lessons and assessments into various delivery modes (e.g., printed modules, radio/TV programs, SMS, online, etc.). At that time we could hear different stories of struggles – the struggles of teachers in designing, developing, and facilitating remote/online instruction and assessment using various technological tools, struggles of students in learning from home due to limited technology access and inconducive home learning environments, and struggles of parents in managing and supporting their children in their home-based learning. Then, last year, international conflicts occurred in some parts of the world, leading to major humanitarian catastrophes and economic disruptions. As a result, access to necessities and services, including language education, became less accessible to many, especially the economically disadvantaged. As we have witnessed in the last three years, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused massive learning loss despite the widespread adoption of remote/online instruction (UNESCO, The World Bank, and UNICEF, 2021). It has widened the inequality of learning opportunities, placed vulnerable minorities at a great disadvantage, and heightened socio-emotional and mental health issues among learners (World Bank, 2020). Similarly, international conflicts and economic disruption worldwide have also curtailed equal opportunities to access quality (language) education. In some places, language learners and teachers have lost their purpose and direction. Some learners have left schools