Discusses problems of Southeast Asians adjusting to American culture and their new roles. Sources of stress and conflict for adults, adolescents, and young children suggest possible plans of action for teachers and counselors. (SA)

School districts across the country are facing increasing numbers of secondary immigrant students who have low level English or native language skills, and in many cases, have had limited formal education in their native countries. These students must learn English, take the required content courses, and catch up to their native-English-speaking…

There is a widely shared belief that Asian Americans have overcome the bondage of racial discrimination to become a successful model minority. In this essay, the empirical basis of this success contention is examined against its historical background and the remifications of the belief are explored. First, the ascendance of the Asian American…

Each year, thousands of men and women from English-speaking countries go abroad as English teachers through volunteer agencies such as the Peace Corps or Voluntary Service Overseas, or through myriad other church, government, business, and academic organizations. For these novice teachers, the challenge of learning what to do in the classroom is…

This paper provides an overview of research findings concerning the stresses experienced by Southeast Asian refugees undergoing acculturation in the United States. Sources of stress are briefly described, including worries about family and others left behind in Southeast Asia, underemployment and unemployment, cultural conflicts, changing family…

This paper examines various aspects of Indochinese immigration and resettlement patterns and problems with respect to the ethnic, cultural, and educational characteristics of refugees, and the effects of Federal, State, and local assistance programs. Highlighted among the problems are the high concentrations of refugees in urban areas, their…

This digest discusses the impact of traditional Vietnamese culture, family relationships, and bicultural conflicts on children's development and adjustment. Vietnamese parents tend to have relatively low levels of English language proficiency and education, low-paying jobs, and few financial resources. Although they work hard to improve their…

This monograph examines the current state of Vietnamese America, summarizing research findings on Vietnamese children, both those who are native born and those born in Vietnam and raised in the United States. It provides insight into the unique experience of these children in order to help educators, administrators, and social workers deal…

Culture orientation training is received by the approximately 78,000 to 90,000 refugees settled in the United States each year. In this text, commonly asked questions concerning refugees' ethnic origins and English language abilities are explored as well as program considerations for serving this population. Topics of discussion are: who are the…

High dropout rates among language-minority secondary school students are one indication that many schools are failing to adequately support the needs of these students. The belief that the student dropout rate is due to a lack of proficiency in English often leads educators to overlook the economic, cultural, academic, and personal issues that…

The time spent in the regular English-language classroom is critical for the limited-English-proficient (LEP) student in eventual mainstreaming. The classroom teacher can work productively with LEP students in the classroom to maximize their exposure to authentic language during the school day. Classroom communication should be simple and clear,…

Lists sources of stress among Southeast Asian refugees as: (1) the Vietnam war and evacuation; (2) underemployment and unemployment; (3) cultural differences; (4) changing roles within the family; and (5) social disruption or inadequate social ties. Also details major groups at risk, correlations between stress and children's age on migrating, and…

This digest reviews the issues of identity and adjustment faced by adolescent Southeast Asian refugees in the United States. Most teenagers from all the Southeast Asian ethnic groups have adopted the dress, hairstyles, and manners of American teenagers, yet their ethnic identity remains strong and specific. This is particularly true for refugees…

An historical review of the immigration and resettlement patterns, and a demographic profile of Japanese Americans reveals a myth of the "successful minority." Since the founding of the Japanese American Citizens League in 1928, Japanese Americans have defeated alien land laws, discriminatory immigration quotas, anti-miscengenation laws,…

In this paper, the educational progress of Korean Americans is attributed largely to the effects of conflict between biculturality and marginality. This report examines the educational needs and problems of Korean American children and youth with respect to demographic and historical characteristics of Korean Americans and their evolving…