Issue: Teaching and Learning in Modern Multilingual and Multicultural Classrooms

Scope
This special issue of "Teaching and Learning in Modern Multilingual and Multicultural Classrooms" delves into the intricate relationship between multilingualism, multiculturalism, and education, emphasizing their pivotal role in advancing all aspects of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The issue aims to showcase research and insights that illuminate how embracing linguistic and cultural diversity in educational settings can effectively align with and contribute to each of the SDGs:
1. Ensure Healthy Lives and Promote Well-Being for All at All Ages
By recognizing and integrating diverse linguistic and cultural perspectives into health education, this theme seeks to explore how a multicultural approach to wellness can lead to better understanding, access, and utilization of healthcare resources, ultimately promoting healthier lives within various communities.
2. Ensure Inclusive and Equitable Quality Education and Promote Lifelong Learning Opportunities for All
This theme underscores the transformative potential of multilingual and multicultural education in eradicating barriers to quality learning. Through inclusive pedagogies, curricula tailored to diverse learning styles, and teacher training, this approach fosters lifelong learning and bridges educational gaps.
3. Achieve Gender Equality and Empower All Women and Girls
Multilingual and multicultural education can empower girls and women by challenging stereotypes, encouraging critical thinking about gender roles, and providing linguistic support that enables effective participation. Papers under this theme would explore how culturally sensitive education can drive positive shifts in gender dynamics.
4. Reduce Inequality Within and Among Countries
Education that celebrates multilingualism and multiculturalism actively addresses inequalities by giving marginalized groups a voice, facilitating cultural exchange, and promoting social cohesion. This theme calls for research on the impact of culturally relevant curricula and inclusive practices in mitigating various forms of inequality.
5. Promote Peaceful and Inclusive Societies for Sustainable Development, Provide Access to Justice for All, and Build Effective, Accountable, and Inclusive Institutions at All Levels
Multilingual and multicultural education can play a pivotal role in cultivating understanding, empathy, and effective communication across diverse groups, fostering a culture of peace and inclusivity. Furthermore, this theme examines how education can contribute to building accountable institutions that respect and uphold cultural and linguistic rights.

Topics
Proposals for papers in the issue may include, but are not limited to, topics such as the following:
1. International Policy on Multilingualism and Multiculturalism in Education
Papers that could explore the way international policies on education, language, and culture possess an important role in achieving goals such as quality education (SDG 4), reducing inequalities (SDG 10), and promoting peaceful and inclusive societies (SDG 16).
2. Internal and External Factors Affecting Teaching and Learning in Multilingual and Multicultural Classrooms
Papers that can delve into how internal factors (such as cultural backgrounds, language proficiency) and external factors (such as societal attitudes, resources) impact education in diverse classrooms, contributing to the goals of quality education (SDG 4) and reduced inequalities (SDG 10).
3. Communication and Interaction in Multicultural and Multilingual Classrooms
This theme can be discussing the way effective communication and intercultural interaction contribute to mutual understanding and social cohesion, aligning with goals of quality education (SDG 4) and building peaceful and inclusive societies (SDG 16).
4. Education Management for Multicultural and Multilingual Classrooms
By addressing the management of diverse classrooms, a paper can relate to quality education (SDG 4) by exploring strategies for equitable learning opportunities and reduced inequalities (SDG 10) through inclusive educational practices.
5. Teachers’ Education, Training, and Readiness for Multicultural and Multilingual Classrooms
Papers which align with quality education (SDG 4) by addressing the preparation of educators to teach in diverse settings, contributing to improved learning outcomes and reduced inequalities (SDG 10) through culturally sensitive teaching.
6. Designing/Adapting Materials for Multicultural and Multilingual Classrooms
Research related to the ways curriculum design and materials’ development for diverse classrooms contribute to quality education (SDG 4), ensuring inclusive and equitable learning opportunities are also welcome.
7. Assessment Practices for Multicultural and Multilingual Classrooms
By focusing on fair assessment strategies that accommodate linguistic and cultural diversity, this theme can be linked to SDGs of quality education (SDG 4) and reduced inequalities (SDG 10) by ensuring fair evaluation for all students.

Questions may be directed to the Special Volume Editor-in-Chief: info@uoj.unicaf.org

Deadline for paper submission: Dear Authors, in response to numerous requests and to accommodate the needs of our contributors, the submission deadline for the UOJ Call for Papers in Education has been extended.

New Submission Deadline: April 15th, 2024

We encourage all interested researchers and educators to take advantage of this additional time to submit their papers. We believe that this extension will contribute to the diversity and depth of insights presented at the conference.

Thank you for your continued support and participation in the UOJ educational community.

Sincerely,
The Editors

For guidelines on submissions please visit Author Resources,UoJ Paper Template and Submissions.