Young people's perceptions may offer an insight into the complex associations between language, education and social class. However, little research has asked young people what they think of their own talking. Forty-two British adolescents aged between 14 and 15 years were interviewed: 21 attended a school in a working class area; 21 attended…

Argues that the lower class uses language to maintain social relationships more than to communicate information, and that lower and middle class differences in language usage explain much of the academic failure of disadvantaged and minority children. Proposes a functional approach for studying how language, socialization, and academic achievement…

Discusses the following bicultural determinants in children's learning processes: family structure, value of education, self-concept, assimilative anxiety, social adjustment, and language (verbal and nonverbal). Presents basic guidelines for teachers who work with Oriental and other minority children. (Author/GC)