Ethno-cultural diversity in initial teacher education courses: the case of Ireland

The internationalisation of the population of Ireland in recent decades has created a more culturally diverse society. Hence teachers need to have the necessary skills to teach in ethno-culturally diverse classrooms. In addition, teachers need to have required tools and knowledge to teach in increasingly multicultural classrooms. This article looks at ethno-cultural diversity in Irish primary ITE courses. The research draws on documentary sources and interviews with teacher educators and pre-service teachers. The research aims to better understand the preparedness of student teachers to teach in culturally diverse classrooms. The findings demonstrate that although the concept of ethno-cultural diversity as featured in the courses aligns with policy expectations, the autonomy afforded to HEIs in devising how the concept is addressed in ITE courses can mean variable level of preparedness of student teachers in addressing this topic in the classrooms.