| Summary: | The populations of Iceland and Ireland have been significantly diversified in the last decades. This shift in the countries’ demographics has extended to their student populations which have seen an increase in their numbers of students with diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Concerns are consequently raised regarding these students’ emerging language needs and whether those are being met. Focusing on lower secondary education in Iceland and Ireland, this paper seeks to investigate the language needs of linguistically and culturally diverse students and the types of language support programs and strategies that are available in both countries’ educational systems to address those needs. Although both countries have introduced policies and guidelines to address the language needs of such students and provide them with appropriate support, continuous efforts are needed to successfully meet those needs and assist students in reaching their full potential. Students with diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds require additional, continuous, and holistic support in order to master the language of instruction which constitutes an integral part of their academic success, integration, and inclusion.
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