The present study explores and investigates how a Korean-English bilingual speaker is influenced by her native culture during her acculturation process in the United States (U.S.). This linguistic research study is designed around three main themes. The first theme is the cultural adaptation process of the participant, which is analyzed based on…

In a classroom setting, international students must confront continually evolving negotiations of competence, membership, and identity to validate their place in academic discourse. Pervading their efforts for validation, of course, are racialized issues of generalization, stereotype, power, and access. For many, academic socialization goes beyond…

There has been little research on exploring challenges and issues faced by Korean graduate students as sojourner scholars in the US despite their ever-growing numbers. In addition to language barriers and homesickness, Korean international students experience a unique set of challenges in the course of their studies, given their contrasting…

In this study we examined acculturative stress and coping among 86 students of Korean heritage at an American university. Participants indicated their stress levels on 3 scales of cultural adaptation: discrimination, language and cultural ties, and social distance. Findings show that self-identified Korean students displayed higher levels of…

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate how isolated immigrant adolescents seek and use necessary information when they are not able to use significant information sources--their peer groups--in the period of transition before new peer groups are established. Method: To achieve the study's purpose, sixteen recently arrived (three…

Characteristics of the Korean population in Los Angeles, intergenerational cultural problems, and efforts to promote language maintenance are described. The majority of Koreans in Los Angeles have been in the United States less than 10 years. A high percentage are from middle class and professional backgrounds. The traditional hierarchical family…

The relationship between various acculturation indicators and the time spent by Koreans watching television were studied. Those who had watched much television in Korea tended to do so in the United States and they tended to be more acculturated. Watching Korean language programs helped viewers to remember their traditional cultural values. (VM)

Using the acquisition of United States citizenship as an indicator, Koreans have shown a remarkable degree of success in cultural and social adjustment to the mainstream of American society. Nevertheless, a certain amount of confusion and conflict is expected during their period of transition and adjustment. American teachers must be aware of the…

A preliminary study was conducted by the National Center for Bilingual Education on the Korean community living in the United States. The study focused on Korean Americans residing within the Los Angeles Long Beach area of southern California, one of the largest Korean communities in the United States. This report includes: (1) a history of the…

This report explores the acculturation of Korean residents; both Korean families and Korean American families who reside in an academic community (Athens, Georgia) and an urban community (Atlanta, Georgia). The study is based on the view that Korean residents in the United States are a distinctive subgroup that has not yet been studied in terms of…

A total of 109 Korean immigrants completed either an English or Korean version of a nine-page questionnaire in a study of the characteristics, assimilation processes, and media usage of Korean immigrants to the Los Angeles, California area. The findings revealed that ambivalent attitudes prevailed among the immigrants. Most were not satisfied with…

Discusses cultural introversion, language difficulties, and other problems of the growing Korean population of Los Angeles. Details the curriculum of a pilot education program designed to help Korean adults bridge the cultural gap. (Journal availability: National Dissemination and Assessment Center, California State University, 5151 State…

Over the last 15 years researchers have taken an increased interest in studying the large pool of recent Korean immigrants. This analysis concentrates on finding how first generation Korean Americans relate and interact with their second generation counterparts. Using studies on the adjustment of first generation Korean immigrants and the levels…

Unlike previous immigrants, many of today's immigrants to the United States are accustomed to American culture since it has permeated the world and has settled into many international cities. An old concept of acculturation saw poor, ignorant immigrants arriving in America and immediately shedding their culture. Now acculturation has become more…

Presents interviews with three Korean-American students who had very different identities (Korean, Korean-American, and American), focusing on their acculturation. They discussed their opinions on American and Korean culture, use of the English and Korean languages, self-identity, discrimination, and personal and social experiences. (SM)