Basic Deliberation on Possibility of Introducing Interdisciplinary Curriculum for 6th Grade English Learners with Multicultural Backgrounds

The present study aims to deliberate on possibility of introducing the integrated curriculum for sixth-grade English learners with diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds in the primary classes. In order to achieve this purpose, common topics and activities of English, Math, Social Studies, Science, and Art that are taught in 6th grade were analysed, considering the criteria of some topics of giving multicultural learners a common experience, common activities across subjects to be implemented in classroom for multicultural learners, and content and materials that are developmentally appropriate for learners. Also, the multicultural integrated program of G English Center were analysed to set up the frame for learners with diverse cultural backgrounds. The findings were that common topics were life styles, plants, animals, housing, village, seasons, weather, environmental problems, and cultural differences. In addition, it was found that common activities across subjects were observing, communicating, comparing, graphing, measuring, estimating, classifying to construct learners' knowledge, solving the problem, finding the patterns, drawing a map, comparing, multiplying and dividing, analyzing, and surveying. This means that common topics and activities need to considered for learners with diverse cultural backgrounds in setting up interdisciplinary curriculum. In this study, it is suggested that interdisciplinary curriculum for 6th grade English learners with diverse cultural backgrounds needs to be established in the primary school level systematically.