What studies reveal about the teaching of English language to students with Down Syndrome: a scoping review

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5902/1984644491848

Keywords:

Special Education, Down Syndrome, English Language

Abstract

The teaching of English as a foreign language to students with Down Syndrome in public Basic Education presents numerous challenges and is often ineffective due to the lack of inclusive pedagogical strategies and methodologies suited to the specific educational needs of these learners. Thus, the aim of this study is to map and analyze, through a systematic literature review using the scoping review method, the main research on English language teaching within the context of inclusive education for students with Down Syndrome. The goal is to identify methods, approaches, and resources that promote effective and inclusive teaching practices. The analysis of the mapped studies revealed a scarcity of national and international academic publications that address the topic in depth. By investigating the most appropriate strategies      to the needs of these students, this study aims to contribute to the development of pedagogical practices that value equity, accessibility, and the continuing education of teachers, thereby strengthening Brazilian basic education.

Author Biographies

Érika Laís da Cruz Vasconcelos, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte

Mestranda no Programa de Pós-Graduação em Educação Especial (UFRN). Especialista em Ensino de Língua Inglesa. Possui graduação em Letras - Inglês pelo Centro Universitário Estácio Ribeirão Preto (2020). Atualmente é professora de língua inglesa da Escola Estadual Paulo Pinheiro de Viveiros e professora de língua inglesa da Escola Municipal Vicente de França Monte. Tem experiência na área de Letras, com ênfase em Língua Inglesa e literaturas

Flávia Roldan Viana, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte

Doutora em Educação, atuante no curso de Licenciatura em Letras/Libras e em Pedagogia, na ênfase dos componentes curriculares Didática e Estágios e nos Programas de Pós-graduação em Educação Especial (PPGEEsp/CE/UFRN), no Programa de Pós-Graduação em Inovação em Tecnologias Educacionais (PPgITE) (IMD/UFRN) e no Programa de Pós-graduação em Educação (PPGED) (CE/UFRN).

References

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Published

2026-04-27

How to Cite

Vasconcelos, Érika L. da C., & Viana, F. R. (2026). What studies reveal about the teaching of English language to students with Down Syndrome: a scoping review . Education, 51(1), e66/01–27. https://doi.org/10.5902/1984644491848

Issue

Educação, v. 51, 2026 – Jan./Dez. – Publicação contínua

Section

Continuous Demand

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)